October 2022 Full Moon Over Okinawa

 The Rabbit Showed Up Again

A few months out of this year the monthly full moon was hidden by clouds and rain.

Last night we got to see the lunar event and the rabbit was sitting upright, as well!

Just in case there wouldn't be any lunar events visible that night, I had a plan.

Early the morning before the full moon, I could try to catch the moon setting.

And, just in case I don't get around to posting again this month, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

July 2022 Full Moon Over Okinawa, Japan

 It Peeked Through Clouds at 7:47 PM

For the past few months, Full Moon Photography was practically impossible.

Last night, just a few minutes were spent on the roof, capturing this shot.

Can you see the Rabbit?

Coronavirus Couldn't Stop the Harvest Moon!

 5 Quick Photos

There's plenty to complain about these days, mostly politics and disease.

It's not good, sitting around the house moaning and groaning.  So, I get out and shoot the moon.

September 20 at 7 PM the moon was 97% full and bright golden in color.

The next morning I arise at 3 AM to check on the setting moon.

Several coffees later, I'm headed out the door.  That's the setting moon behind the house.

The photo was taken at 4:55 AM and I'm going down towards the beach.

It's 5:57 AM on the 21st of September when this photo was composed.

Standing on the seawall at Kin Port, I'm facing Ishikawa, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan.

The evening of the 21st it seemed like the moon would never appear.

Clouds rolled in and blocked out any chance of star or moon gazing.

Actually, I gave up and went to bed.

Shortly before 11 PM, something told me to look out the back door.

The moon was peeking through the clouds, high in the sky above my house.

It was 11:05 PM when this photograph was taken. Back to bed, the old guy went.

At 6:15 on September 22, 2021, another big, bright, golden moon could be seen.

Notice: The rabbit in the moon, turned upside down!

That's all I've got to complain about.

FEB 2021 Full Moon Setting in Okinawa, Japan

 

 Foul weather hid the full moon as it rose on the evening of February 27th so, I didn't shoot it.

This morning at 0632 here's what I saw as I was leaving my driveway for a morning walk.

The moon appeared gold-colored as it was setting off in the west.

Rather than rotate it, to show the Moon Rabbit, sitting upright, I left the image natural.

Can you handle an upsidedown rabbit?

Supermoon MAY 2020 Sorta Modified

Weather Didn't Cooperate

Cloudy skies, wind, and some freakish humidity ruined this month's moon shots.

Here's a photo I managed to create on the 7th of May 2020, the date of the full moon.

The photo was taken shortly after 3 AM as the moon was setting in the west.

For viewers, who know about the "Rabbit in the Moon" the image has been rotated.

For some reason, the rabbit turns upside down as the moon sets in the morning.

End of the Supermoon and Twisted Rabbit Story.

FEB 2020 Full Moon Over Okinawa

The Rabbit Is Upright

Shortly after 7 PM, the moon came out from behind the clouds.

After catching a few good images of the rising moon, I decided to give the camera rest.

The rabbit in the moon is in an upright position so, my job is done for the day.

Whether I go out and shoot the moon again tomorrow morning depends upon the weather and,     

how late my body decides to stay asleep.

If anyone wants to see the rabbit inverted, just look at the previous blog.

Those who have no idea what the Moon Rabbit is, LOOK HERE.

FEB 2020 Full Moon Preview

A Wee Bit Early

Living on an island, weather can be unpredictable, so here's a sneak preview.

The moon in this photo is at about 99.9% full and most folks wouldn't guess it ain't full, yet.

Luckily, I woke up before 4 AM and looked out my back door to check on the moon.

It was nice and bright but, fast-moving clouds kept ruining the scene.

This photo was taken at 4:29 AM from the roof of my house.

After a few swigs of ice coffee, I walked down to the beach, where I could see the moonset.

 Carrying the weight of a tripod,  and the Pentax (420 MM of a lens) is good exercise.

The moon was covered by clouds the whole time I was walking. That was 3800 steps.

Every day I try to get at least 10,000 steps of walking done and, some easy weight conditioning.

Unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger, I won't quit training just because I'm 72. That wuss!

If I'm still alive and, the moon shows, I'll probably go out and shoot it again tonight. 

In case you haven't noticed, the rabbit is upside down. See ya later...

Rabbit in the Moon Can Drive You Crazy

 A little Late Posting Full Moon Photos

For those who may have been wondering, I didn't miss the full moon this month.

All three days of the moon's appearance I was out there morning and night shooting it.

It's the rabbit in the moon and research into its appearance that held me up on this blog.

For years I've been taking photos of the full moon and always try to catch the rabbit.

Example A above, shows the rabbit facing to the right and stirring something in a pot.

The image comes from National Geographic's "Why Do People See Faces in the Moon?"

The article goes on to explain different stories about appearances on the moon worldwide.

The rabbit bent over stirring, facing to the right has been the position I've imagined.

Others May See the Rabbit Differently

Suppose someone told you the rabbit could be seen facing the left and stirring the pot.

A good friend of mine demonstrated his view of the moon rabbit using my photo.

He shows the rabbit (in red) facing towards the left and, once you see it you'll never forget.

People don't just make these things up. There are other folks who see the rabbit this way.

Somebody called Left Field Wanderer (who wasn't watching) got me this image.

You can see how the rabbit earned that honorable position on the moon by reading the story.

Even Wikipedia Got Visited

Here I must make a confession. Wikipedia isn't my favorite source of information.

Back in college, the professors would give you an "F" for using Wikipedia as a reference.

Since that Wiki-leaker guy came along, I guess the Wiki folks have more authority.

Anyway, sometimes researching Okinawa things, Wiki is the only resource available.

Somewhere along the way, I have even done photography for the Wiki people.

They use my images so, this article was where the rabbit above came from.

Things Can Keep On Getting Tricky

The rabbit on the moon doesn't always sit with his ears pointing upwards. WHAT!!???

If the moon is rising, you'll notice the critter standing or squatting in an upright position.

When the moon is setting (going down) in the west, the rabbit turns upside down.

Normally, I do the research and try to explain some of the weird things I post on this blog.

Usually, in a few hours, I'll come up with a story that any layman would understand.

Along with that, I'll throw in links that can be used to verify my theories or findings.

After a few days of Googling and coming up empty-handed, I found other stuff to do.

 Go to festivals, drink beer, sample foods in restaurants, and, sleep a lot. 

At Live Science, I located their Moon Rabbit photographed upside-down.

There you can learn about "Pareidolia" causing people to see images on almost anything.

 "In one famous case from 2004, a woman who claimed to see the face of the Virgin Mary in a grilled-cheese sandwich was able to sell the sandwich on eBay for $28,000, according to NBC News."

The only place I could find some explanation as to why the rabbit turns is Stack Exchange.

This was even after checking the Children's site at NASA.

That was just in case I fell asleep in school while they were teaching us about the moon.

In somebody's layman terms, um, it all depends upon your perspective.

That's the end of my story about the rabbit in the moon. I'm in a hurry.

This post had to be completed before the end of the month because it's someone's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHLEEN!

July 2013 Full Moon Will Appear Tomorrow Night

Get Your Cameras or Telescopes Ready

 

Tonight around 7PM I was taking practice shots with the tripod and the Pentax.

If the weather doesn't change much, the full moon should be easy pickings tomorrow.

With a clear sky and just a slight breeze this photo was taken at my front door steps.

Some sweetheart of an elderly gal came along and asked what I was doing.

So, I enlarged a shot on the LCD screen and showed her the moon.

She got all excited and said, "See the rabbit ?"

Well, just out of respect I said, "Of course."

Then she started asking me stuff like, how much money I make with the camera.

And, she wanted to know if I was married or, single.

So, I told her, I'd keep her in mind if I ever need another wife, just to be polite.

I gave her a little hug and she went cackling on down the street.

Then, I got all my stuff back in the office and pulled down the shutter.

Here's the Goodies on Tomorrow's Full Moon

 

 

 

The Old Farmer's Almanac calls it a Full Buck or, Thunder Moon

NBC News says it will be a stunner

About the Rabbit on the Moon

For those who fancy that astrology stuff, I give this video from Astrologer Coach:

Check with your local weather station for moonrise.

It should appear the same time as the sun sets because that's what the full moon likes to do.

Wildlife Photo: A Pair of Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea)

The Largest Heron in Europe

 

These birds, the largest Heron in Europe (ARKive Org) live in Okinawa, Japan, too.

With that pointed bill they can grab a fish or, spear it. Fish are what they usually eat.

But, if they get real hungry, they might eat furry animals, too.

For any non-believers, who don't think a heron would eat a rabbit, I found this for you.

A wildlife photographer in Holland captured photos of the action.

He saw an Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron) grab a baby rabbit by the ears.

The heron flew off, to find some water and drown the critter.

Then, swallowed the whole thing !

Go have a look at the Daily Mail UK, if you'd like to see it.

RELATED POSTS:

Grey Heron Antics in the Mangroves

Grey Heron vs Osprey

Grey Heron: Portrait Mode

Visit my homepage for today's Feature Photo

Year of the Rabbit 2011 (Photo) Okinawa: An Insider's Tip

Here it is, New Years Eve, where I'm at anyway. I guarantee in the next few days I'll get tons of emails wishing me a Happy New Year. I know because I do the same thing as soon as Christmas is over. I start telling everybody to have a Happy and Prosperous New Year, right on through the first week of January. We all do it and it's a good thing. It sure beats talking about the weather.

The Year of the Rabbit is 2011 so, I dug up this photo that I shot back in 2007 to show you what a rabbit looks like in the wild, at night, with camera flash. That's if you don't want to use red-eye reduction on your camera or in editing afterwards. Some people I know will have eyes like this when the wake up New Years Day after a night of celebrating. In Okinawa, we have New Years twice!

The Western, Gregorian, Christian, whatever you want to call it, calendar that a lot of the rest of the world uses, is used in Japan, too. Even in Okinawa we have the Western calendar and celebrate the New Year like folks in the western world. The New Year will start January 1st and people will be popping champagne bottles, kissing strangers on the lips and singing Auld Lang Syne in Japanese in my bar tonight. And they'll be running around with hangovers for the next three days visiting temples to try and have good luck in the Year of the Rabbit, 2011.

It's good for business. People are already buying rabbit jewelry, bunny footed pajamas and slippers and probably wedding gowns with rabbits sewed on them. Some of them even buy pet rabbits for their kids. Then, when they get tired of abusing them, turn them loose, like the one in the photo above. That's no wild rabbit. He's a rabbit turned loose in the wild; a feral rabbit, I guess.

Here's a tip from an old Insider. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2010 the Year of the Tiger, doesn't end December 31st 2010. The Year of the Rabbit starts on February 3, 2011.  That'd make New Years Eve the 2d of February according to my calculations.

Not one to put a damper on everyone's holiday celabrations I'm going to dig up that Auld Lang Syne music, buy some bottles of champagne and wash the wine glasses for tonight.

What the heck, I may as well trim the beard, get all spruced up and wear my Sunday best for the New Years Party. Even if some good lookin' stranger-gal doesn't run up and kiss me on the lips, it could be my dressed rehersal for the 2011 Year of the Rabbit New Years Eve Party in February!

WHEREVER IN THE WORLD YOU ARE PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.  AND, I WISH YOU AND YOURS A SAFE, HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR !



RELATED LINK: 2011 THE YEAR OF THE PARTY RABBITS