Today I Shot Somebody Else's Pictures

Shawn Miller's Nature Therapy Photo Exhibition

 

 

It's happening right now and, this is one you won't want to miss.

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, let me enter for free.

We call the place OIST for short and it's better than being in some UNESCO Castle, to me.

Once, I got handed a visitor's pass by the security guard, I could go anywhere.

All I really wanted to do, was find Shawn's photography, on display and do some shooting.

 They have little cards, below each image, showing scientific names.

It's not my job, give the nomenclature away, I was just taking photos today.

People should go there, themselves and, take notes if, they're curious about nature stuff.

Here's an image showing a crab, living in a home made from beach trash.

Shawn is a champion of nature and the environment and, wants to educate the public.

The crab, would have a seashell, for a home but, he's doing the best he can.

When, there's more garbage on the beach than, seashells, crabs have to improvise.

Many of the species, Shawn photographs are, going extinct.

If people learned to appreciate nature, these critters can survive.

It would have been nice, to meet Shawn at this exhibit but, he wasn't available.

So, I just sneaked around and, shot some of the photos, I liked best.

If the photographer, was there, I would have bought him lunch.

Well, I ended up, saving money and, swiped some of his images, instead.

He, won't mind because, I'm trying to drum up some visitors for the exhibit.

Check This Deal Out

 

 

Visit OIST and the Nature Therapy Exhibit and, you could win some of these photos.

Just go in there and, take a selfie, next to your favorite picture.

And, you have a chance to win some of Shawn Miller's prints !

Learn more about Shawn Miller on Facebook

Okinawan Folktale: Sparrow and Fly

Fly Ratted on the Sparrow

 

 

There once was a fly, concerned about sparrows, eating farmer's rice crop.

Flies get shooed away, when they land on someones food.

But, he never saw anyone, chase the birds away from the rice fields and, it angered him.


So, the fly decided to talk to God and, get the sparrows reprimanded.

He told God, the birds were eating rice off the stalks, before it was ready to be harvested.

Hearing this story, displeased God and, he agreed, the sparrow needed a talking to.

The fly, returned to earth, satisfied that the sparrow was in big trouble.

An Angry God

 

 

God commanded the sparrow to appear before him.

In a loud voice that, rattled heaven and earth, God roared at the sparrow.

God said, "Sparrow, a fly informed me, you've been stealing the farmers green rice."

Shaking in his feathers the sparrow told God, the fly had misrepresented him. 

"Sparrows only eat the grains that have fallen on the ground," he told God.

Sparrows learned from their ancestors to only consume what mankind, doesn't eat to survive. 

Then he told God some of his observations learned from watching flies.

He said, "God if you watch closely, the fly is a disgusting creature.

One minute, they are on a pile of manure. Next, they land on someone's bowl of rice!"

God thought about it and, was no longer angry with the bird.

He said, "You're are a good lad, you are free to go about your business.

I want to see that criminal fly, right now!"

An Angrier God

 

When the fly got called back to heaven, he figured God was going to reward him.

His snitching on the sparrow must have pleased God and, he would be thankful for it.

Happily, he buzzed along the way to visit God, again. He was about to get a surprise.


God roared at him, "You filthy bug. You have been landing on people's food.

And, you never stop to wash your hands or feet.  How disgusting!"

The fly whimpered and, rubbed his hands in front of God, apologetically. 

When he was finally dismissed he flew back to earth with tears in his eyes.

The tongue-lashing is why, the fly rubs his hands, seeking God's forgiveness, to this day.


REFERENCE:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P.67

Condensed from The Fly and the Sparrow


More Okinawan Folktales

NOTE: 

All Photos on this post were provided by Nature Photographer Shawn Miller. 

One of the advantages of traveling this island is meeting some top notch cameramen.

All connected on Facebook, we often cross paths out in the field.

Meeting other professionals, in this line of work, always creates new friendships.

Yesterday morning, Shawn spotted me watching the surf, without a camera in my hands.

An unusual occurrence, he probably, pulled off the road to see what was wrong with me.

It just happened to be, I was killing time, before putting on the Santa suit.

We chatted for awhile and, I mentioned needing some photos for this folk story.

The images were emailed, to me this afternoon.

Except for maybe, politicians, money can't buy you friends better than that.

Thanks, again Shawn !  

Photo Exhibition

Those visiting or residing in Okinawa, won't want to miss this event.

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is located in Onna-son.

Shawn Miller's "Nature Therapy" Photography images will be on display.

The exhibit may be seen from 9AM-5PM JAN 14-FEB 29 2016

Visit the OIST Website for more details.


If you need a healthy dose of a few thousand images visit:

Shawn Miller's Okinawa Nature Photography

In the Spotlight: Artist and Naturalist Ichiro Kikuta

On Exhibition Right Now !

 

 

 



This is something I need to spread the word about, quickly.

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has his gallery on display.

We went today and have to go back before the month is over.

The folks at OIST were friendly and, gave me permission to take photos.

Well, I didn't bring the lens or, lighting required to do this artwork justice.

And, lucky for them I read the signs that said, "Do Not Touch."

OIST Is Really A Big Place

Scientists kept walking up and down the hallways where I was trying to shoot.

They were busy, I guess.

Trying to do long exposures (over one second) was looking impossible.

When you are a guest, you can't just yell, "Everybody Freeze."

Just when, I thought the moment was right and quit (quietly) cussing, it happened.

Map It Okinawa, tapped me on the shoulder.  I was blocking traffic with my tripod.

Click, went the shutter.  Wait one second.

Behind me, a gentleman, was waiting.  I apologized for blocking the hallway.

He said, "You're RyukyuMike.  Aren't you?"

Uh-oh.

We just met a Vice President.

And, even wearing orange flip-flops, he recognized me !

But, everything turned out alright.

He reads my blog !

Back to the Artist

Ichiro Kikuta is one of those artists, you're lucky to meet once in a lifetime.

It was my pleasure, to have found him in the northern area of Okinawa.

Just, a week ago, we located his studio in the village of Ada.

Ichiro, showed us some of the things he does to handcraft these panels.

The artwork, depicting nature, doesn't get copied from photos.

He goes into the forest with a sketch pad.

Then, sketches what he observes.

From the drawings, he re-creates the scenes as black ink paintings.

Instead of, having to visit the Yanbaru forest, he brings it to you, in all its splendor.

Don't Pass Up on this Opportunity

The exhibition at OIST  lasts through October 31, 2013.

More details available on the OIST Website

For those unable to attend, have a peek at this OIST Video: