View from the Office: Not a Chimney in Sight

It Was One of Those Days

 

 

The weather had me tempted, to go out with the cameras but, I didn't.

Other priorities, kept me from straying more than a few minutes from the office.

Things like, getting the Santa suit ready,  article submissions and the birth of a child.

The only times, I got away from the computer monitors, I stepped out the door, for a minute.

It's good, to stand up, get out and relax the eyes, after you've been at a desk for awhile.

When I spotted the contrast between this roof and the blue skies, I had to grab a camera.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 10-20 at focal length of 20MM

Exposure: f/16  1/30   ISO 100

Location: Just outside my office door in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan 

Date and Time: DEC 22 2015 5PM

Santa gets a little busy this time of year and, I'll be out doing a gig tomorrow.

Not really sure, when, I'll be back posting photos and blogs again.

Just in case, I don't get back here in time to tell you:

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !

Bird Photo: Grey Heron in Blue Skies

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 with 1.4 converter for focal length of 350mm

Exposure: f/11   1/400   ISO 200

Location: Tomigusuku, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  OCT 2 2015  11:32AM

More about the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in this previous post.

Travel Photo: Another Way of Looking at the Moon

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 32mm

Location: Okukubi River, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Exposure: f/16  1/60  ISO 100

Date and Time: JUL 29 2015  6:54PM 



Related Post:  July 31 2015 Blue Moon

Flower Photo: Unidentified Passion Fruit Blossom

This one has me stumped. There are over 500 species of  Passiflora.

And, before we got a chance to see if this one bears fruit, a typhoon, blew everything away.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 300mm

Exposure: f/6.3  1/200   ISO 400

June 2015 Full Moon Rising over Shark Fin Rock

Tonight we visited Kayo Beach on Okinawa's east coast.

Depending upon which source you listen to, the full moon occurs tonight or tomorrow.

There are several rocks, folks say are shaped like shark's fins.

The moon rose rather suddenly, once it cleared the marine layers on the horizon.

So, I ran up and down the beach, trying to compose a shark fin full moon shot.

 If the weather cooperates, another trip up north may happen for tomorrow's full moon.

The above images were taken with the Pentax K3, 300mm lens and 1.4 converter.

The next visit, I may bring along something to take wide angle photos.

Full Moon Golden Week 2015

Briefly Peeking Through Clouds

 

 

A walk along the Okukubi River to the sea was fruitless last night.

The skies clouded over and, it was doubtful the moon would appear.

Back to the office, I went, with only a few scenes shot along the way. No moon.

After downloading the camera, I looked outside and there it was.

Clouds were blowing by fairly swiftly.

The highway in front of the shop was packed with Golden Week travelers.

Too much light pollution for me so, I set up the tripod out back.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 at 500mm

Exposure: f/16  1/125   ISO 100

Date and time: May 4, 2015  9:01PM

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Bird Photo: Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax F4 300mm

Exposure:  f/9   1/1000   ISO 200

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  FEB 20, 2015  11:12AM

References:

A Guide to the Wild Birds of Okinawa ISBN4-916224-11-6

ARKive Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Wildlife Photo: Pair of Fish Hawks in Flight

These birds were hunting for a meal over the Kin Dam.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 at 360mm

Exposure:  f/11   1/640   ISO 100

More on the Osprey at All About Birds the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Grey Heron and Its Shadow in Flight (GIF)

Fish Jumping Out of the River Too

 

 

It was a beautiful Autumn day and, I couldn't resist a walk to the Kin Dam.

The plan was, to take advantage of the blue skies and sunshine.

It would have been nice, to come home with some eagle and hawk photos.

That didn't happen but, there were plenty of heron and egret shots taken.

This Grey Heron put on a good show.

Look closely and, you can see fish, jumping in the lower left of the frame.

The series of photos was captured at 4:15PM.

A few minutes later, the sun would be going down behind the mountains.

Once that happened, it was time to put on a jacket and, start walking home.

Location: Okukubi River directly below Kin Dam

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 at 500mm

Exposure: f/9   1/640   ISO 100

Learn more about this bird, the Ardea cinera at ARKive

Wildlife Shot on the Way to the Moon

An Angry Buzzard Eagle

 

 

It sure would be nice if, they would bury all phone lines and electric wires, underground.

Normally, I don't waste my time, taking photos of birds on wires.

While walking to do a night-before-the-full moon shoot, I saw this scene.

The Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle was on the wires first.

Then, a crow came along and, thought it would roost there.

Hopefully, I won't get a pile of hate mail from the crow lovers but, I don't like those varmints.

This eagle was smaller than a crow and, I have seen crows gang-up on them.

This time, the eagle, scared the crow away. YAY !

Off they went, in separate directions.

And, I continued my journey, to shoot the moon.

Photos above taken with a Pentax K3 and Sigma 50-500 at 500mm

Exposure:  f/6.7   1/1000   ISO 100

Travel Photo: Not the Stairway to Heaven

Location: Okukubi River, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date: NOV 6, 2014    Time: 5:05PM

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 at 270mm

Exposure: f/11   1/13sec   ISO 100

Waxing Crescent Moon Up There Tonight

33% of the Moon is Visible

Usually, I check the schedule for the full moon and, start shooting a few nights early.

Tonight, I decided to shoot the moon, just because it was up there.

After I downloaded the camera, I wanted to find out when the full moon is coming.

That doesn't happen until next Thursday.

When I, developed and saw all those craters, I decided to keep this image.

It turned out, this was my favorite, out of a total of 9 shots.

Never before, had I paid any attention to Waxing or Waning crescent moons.

They have a handy chart at Calendar-12 that taught me this stuff.

It may have been taught when I was in high school.

The teacher probably didn't know, I slept through that part of the class.

Or, maybe, I went on a field trip, by myself, that day.

Look at those craters on the moon tonight.

Do you suppose, scientists have named them all? 

 Maybe, I slept through that part, too.

If the crescent was facing the other direction, it would be waning.

When it looks like this, it's waxing.  That's all you need to know.

Are you still awake?

The image above was made with a Pentax K3 and Sigma 50-500mm lens.

Exposure: f/16   1/3second   ISO 100

Wildlife Photo: Buzzard Eagle in Flight

The Grey-faced Buzzard Eagles have returned to Okinawa.

They are migratory visitors from northern climates.

Normally, these birds arrive around November and depart in the month of March.

They feed on mice, rats and snakes but, I'd love to see one grab a mongoose.

Photo taken with a Pentax K3 and 18-250 lens at a focal length of 250mm.

Editor's Pick for the Month of September 2014 (Photo)

Supermoon SEP 2014

This photo was taken at 7:04PM on September 9, 2014 in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 at 500mm

Exposure: f/16  1sec   ISO 100

A Quick Visit to the Ginowan City Museum

The Pros and Cons of Museum Photography

 

 

On the plus side -- Museums are usually climate-controlled.

The bad news -- The lighting might not be the best for photography.

The island was experiencing some rapidly changing weather, due to an approaching typhoon.

Driving around we saw dark grey skies, sprinkles of rain and, bright sunshine.

After hitting half a dozen locations, outdoors it was time for some air-conditioning.

When the weather turns iffy, that's when we switch to Plan B.

It was the first visit to this attraction for Doc Graff.  I had been there several times before.

They have some interesting artifacts in this place.

One, is the remnants of a train that existed on Okinawa prior to WWII.

And, there are lots of cultural/historical items from Ginowan's past, stored within.

They just don't have much in the English language, for you to read.

So, if you can't read or, speak Japanese, you may want to bring along someone who does.

Speaking enough of the dialect, to get by, I always have fun, talking to the museum staff.

And, they are helpful, assisting me with research.

The museum wasn't busy with a busload of tourists, today so, I shot this photo.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250mmDA3.5-6.3 at 32mm

Exposure: f/16  2.5sec   ISO 100

A tripod and the camera 2 second timer were used to take the shot.

More Museums on Okinawa

Green Grass Lizard with the Pentax DA50mmF1.8 and K3 Camera

 Image Before Cropping

 

 

It's pretty hard to see the lizard but, I spot-focused on the eye.

It was raining and the critter hid under some plants for shelter. They blend in well. Don't they ?

Cropped Image

Plenty of shots were taken, using a tripod and continuous shooting mode.

That way, I could crop one, for you to get a closer look.

And, there were a lot more images available to create this GIF to show you.

Green Grass Lizard Is What We'll Call It (GIF)

Outback Again Today

 

 

Aokanahebi（アオカナヘビ） is the Japanese name for this lizard.

Two sources helped me with the identification.

One, works at the Kin Town Office and, the other is a Park Ranger.

The weather was looking, sort of iffy so, I stayed close to the office today.

And, went out with the Pentax K3 and an 18-250mm lens.

When I called it a day, there were over 900 images of lizards in the camera.

Before, I officially,  declare this a Takydromus smaragdinus, I better check the books.

It's not wise, to put scientific names on critters and, be wrong.

So, whenever the little tropical storm were having, departs, I plan on going to the library.

Once, I confirm the name there, I may have another lizard to post here.

It's a different color but, could be a Green Grass Lizard, too.

Holy leapin' lizards, Batman. 

There may be an endangered species, living out there behind my office !

3 Images of Traulia ornata: An Okinawa Grasshopper

オキナワモリバッタ (Okinawamoribatta)

 

 

The Okinawa Mori Batta translates as, Okinawa Forest Grasshopper.

Some people would call it a locust.

 

Waiting for this bug to move, helped identify it.

The bright red on the lower part of the hind legs was a good clue.

Looking at the grasshopper from many angles, I checked lots of sources.

That way, no scientists can argue with me, when I name the critter.

The photos were all taken with a Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 lens on the K3 camera.

It's starting to look like, buying a decent macro lens, might happen in the near future. 

Resources:

ISBN4-900668-35-4 pages 254-255

A Japanese site with photos and Latin names for insects

Biodiversity (Japanese) site

 Insects/Spiders of Okinawa by Shawn Miller on Flickr

Umizukan (Japanese)

Wildlife of Okinawa

A Plains Cupid Butterfly Photo (GIF)

This ragged winged character isn't really as large at it appears in the image.

The butterfly is just a tad bigger than a thumbnail. 

The insect was staying fairly still. But, the wind was raising a ruckus with it.

So, I spot-focused to try and catch the colors and action.

Using the Sigma 50-500 lens at 420mm and Pentax K3, I took a series of shots.

Then, uploaded them into that Auto Awesomenator thing.

There aren't any butterflies like this in my Yanbaru Field Guide so, I searched online.

Plains Cupid, Cycad Blue and, Chilades pandava are the names I came up with.

Butterflies of India lists them as Oriental Plains Cupid.

Learn About Butterflies says they may be found in Thailand, Malaysia and Borneo.

Butterflies of Sri Lanka has a few photos of them, too. 

Over on Flickr there's an awesome macro shot taken in Kuala Lumpur.

The good old boys at Wiki, confirmed these critters are in India and Singapore. 

Do you suppose, we should tell them Okinawa, Japan, has them, too ?

Wildlife Photo: A Kingfisher Motion GIF

Captured with a Pentax K3 and Sigma 50-500

 

The lens was stretched all the way out to 500mm and, I was too far away to hear the bird.

Maybe, I should have taken better care of my ears when I was younger.

It would be nice to know if that bird was doing some sort of mating ritual.

Or, do you suppose, he was just singing for his supper ?