Wednesday Travel Tale -- It's True

Cameras Take a Back Seat

The car got loaded up with camera bags, lenses and a tripod this morning and, north we went.

Research on future photo projects always has to be done in advance, to insure success.

Every imaginable type of lens would be handy if, a worthy photographic subject appeared.

Birds, rainbows, twisters, beach bunnies, whatever could show up and, we'd get them captured.

But, the priority today would be, gathering information for future assignments.

Both Doc Graff and I know, sometimes you go south on this island, to get to a northern point.

Part of my research today concerns the southern islands so, we headed north.

If, that confuses you then, you haven't been on the islands long enough. Stick around.

Yanbaru Wildlife Center

A trip I'm planning, will take me to the southern island of Iriomote, sometime next month.

There happens to be a critically endangered wildcat down there and, I want to catch one.

Not, to put in a cage, it's something I'd like to photograph in the wild if, possible.

We could have headed south and found information at a travel office in the city of Naha.

But, I'm not wild about cities and, travel folks down there probably, aren't wild about wildlife.

Up in Kunigami, the Wildlife Conservation Center has unbelievable resources.

The brochures above are a sample of materials, gathered today. All are in English.

We stood there for about 15 minutes, sucking down air-conditioning and gathering freebies.

Finally, a middle aged gal, interrupted smiling and said, "Santasan, Please sign-in."

It's a little tricky if, you don't read or speak Japanese but, we know enough to get by.

Before long, the woman was convinced, we don't speak much Japanese.

Try a bit of Okinawan (Uchinaguchi) and, the young lady started cackling. New friends !

Next thing you know, she gave me a photocopied page of contacts for Iriomote Wildlife Center.

The day would have been complete, having gotten this far.  We could have called it quits.

Another bit I've learned on these islands. Keep on having a good day, whenever one shows up.

Talk to Locals

A drive to the village of Oku was next on the agenda, to gather some information.

The only gas station, in town, a small mom and pop store and, a cold drink were in order.

There's a festival that takes place in the near future, we needed to confirm dates for this year.

This event, isn't something the average tourist would probably, want to attend.

It's not widely advertised and, being the heathen I am, they welcome me.

The gal, in the country store, knew this matsuri would happen during September.

But, wasn't sure of the dates the event would take place, this year.

Inside a building, across the highway, I remembered this photo, was hanging on a museum wall.

It's sort of a wet and wild, traditional festival, which only happens, every other year.

The photo above, was snapped with the iPhone camera and, we waited a few minutes.

Along came a young lady, who works in the office by the museum and, I asked about the event.

She had to make a phone call, to get the specific dates for the matsuri.

The action depicted above (Bin-kui-kui) will take place September 10 2017.

We thanked the girl for her assistance, bowing deeply and headed back down south.

It wasn't until I arrived in Kin Town that a real camera was used to shoot brochures !

See: Shinugu Festival in the Village of Oku for more.

Lunch on Ikei Island -- What an Experience !

Would They Even Let Us In ?

Out doing some research on outer islands, today it suddenly became lunchtime.

Doc and I had been kicked off one beach because, we didn't feel like paying for parking.

Some resorts can be pretty snooty. Dontcha think ?

This place had two (unattended) guard shacks with signs warning, "Hotel Guests Only."

"Let's go, Doc. We'll tell them, we're guests. Why else, would we be here?"

At the Hibus Restaurant, we were greeted and, got permission to enter.

The first customers, any table inside the place, was ours for the asking.

So, this ocean view was selected, where the scenery was nice and, air-conditioning felt good.

Normally, you don't catch me, going into some five star resort, to grab a meal.

The menu had all sorts of items, you could select from and, prices, weren't too outrageous.

Earlier in the day, on another island, I laid my flip-flop on the road, to shoot a photo.

It gives the viewer a sense of scale. The snake, was easily four times the size of my shoe.

That, you'll have to view, some other time. It would ruin your appetite, I bet.

Anyhow, I thought of placing one of my footwears, up there for this image.

But, it was sorta a high class place and, they might have gotten upset with me.

That roast beef submarine sandwich, was probably larger than one of my feet.

It cost 1,945 Yen, which is about twenty bucks. It filled up two of us.

Talking about it, I think it was the first time, I had eaten a roast beef sandwich in a long time.

As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever had one on any Okinawa island, before.

Doc and I, will probably be going back, to visit the AJ Resort on Ikei Island, again and again.

Our little ladies probably, wouldn't enjoy it because, they're always on diets. Hah.

Long Days and Nights Doing Research

Mabuni Cliffs of Itoman

 

 

Friday morning the mission was, to get some photos of the cliffs along the beach in Itoman.

Leaving the office in Kin at 9AM, we arrived here, around noon.

It was sunny and blazing hot so, Doc and I took our time climbing the hills of Mabuni. 

Two cameras, were hauled along with me and, I took a grand total of six photos.

After running some errands, I was back in the office, enjoying some air-conditioning.

The cameras were downloaded, images processed and, I began my research.

It's nice to find a historical link, to help explain, what took place at a site like this.

The link, explaining the cave on yesterday's blog, got thousands of views.

And, it saved me from telling everyone, all the gruesome details of what occurred here.

 That allowed me, to get out of here early last night and get refreshed, for the evening.

It's Called Nominication in Japan

 

Take the Japanese word for drinking (nomi) and, communication.

Put them together, go drinking and communicating. That's nominication.

It's usually done by workers of the same company. Or, it could be family and friends.

Me, I just call it researching and, I'll research with almost anybody.

On the circular route, I take after a day in the hot sun, there's a few bars along the way.

One of them closed at midnight so, I went upstairs to another establishment.

I was sitting at the counter, nominicating with a guy who works at the body shop, downstairs.

All of a sudden, the door flew open and, in came a bunch of  young ladies.

And, one of them was Aki, a favorite performer of mine.

We did some serious nominicating, singing and dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

For example, the photo above was taken at 5:13AM.

 The next all of a sudden thing that happened was, daylight arrived.

This photo was taken at 5:45AM and, I didn't want the wife worrying about me.

So, I ordered one more beer and drank it deliberately. I got home around six.

The good lady, asked me if, I needed any breakfast and, I said, "Nah, I'm not hungry."

It was time for me to get a good 8 hours of sleep, to prepare for Saturday night.

See, I plan on going out to do more research during the cool hours of evening, again !

Where Cloud Eleven Meets Cloud Twelve

A Photo Taken While Rock Hunting

 

 

When I go out with the cameras, I'm usually on some sort of a mission.

This time, it was to find a certain rock, off the east coast of the island.

It's over an hour's walk from where I hang out in my office.

Just in case, I couldn't find the assigned rock, I shoot whatever tickles me, along the way.

That way there's something to show, for a few hours of walking in the hot sun.

And, if the rock, I was searching for, never materialized, I could change my story.

Say something like, "It was a cloud hunting assignment and, it turned out alright."

Well, I found the damn rock, I was looking for but, I didn't like the light it was under.

So, I'll go back and do the rock thingy, another day.

How These Clouds Got Titled

 

 

Putting a title on a photo takes a little bit of thinking.  It can be tricky.

One of these days, the camera, will do all that stuff for you.

The way things stand, right now, your photo gets an image number and, that's it.

Well Google, Yahoo and, all the other search engines, Don't like IMGP8159 titles.

So, when you post an image online, it's best to make up some sort of name or, title.

To me, clouds are just clouds.

Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus are scientists' words.

I am not a scientist so, I have to come up with something original for a title.

When I researched "cloud number nine" they gave me information overload.

Everything form Buddhist stuff to the US Weather Bureau origins for the term.  Groan.

There used to be an expression for "cloud eight" and "clouds thirty seven and thirty-nine." 

However, I never found anything about a cloud 11 or, cloud 12.

That's the best explanation, I can give you, for choosing today's title.

If you don't like it, go read through this and, pull a title for clouds, out of your own rear end !

The Cave Called Dondon Gama in Itoman

Found While Researching a Folk Story

 

 

It's fun checking the background for local legends and folklore.

Sometimes, you come across landmarks or historical evidence behind the stories.

Armed with a print copy and some internet references, I went looking for this cave.

An online map listed it as Dondon Gama, located in London Park.

 At the park, two teachers were watching a group of children playing.

Asked if, they knew the location of Dondon Gama, they checked on an iPhone.

And, they pointed up the hill, across the road from the playground.

 A sign mentioned, London Gama and, pointed the direction to the entrance.

 There was barely a trail visible and it was a little bit rough going.

This is the time of year, you don't want to accidentally, wake a sleeping snake up.

 Besides watching where you step, it's a good idea to look up, too.

Every now and then, spiders (as big as your hand) will have webs, stretched across the trail.

The entrance to the cave is mostly overgrown with weeds and vines.

Just beyond the stones stacked in this scene, is the cave.

 Of the three entrances, only two are large enough for an adult to fit through.

The largest one may be seen in the Umiyakara and Dondon Gama folktale.

There were signs of rituals performed (incense and sake cups) within the cave.

Staying outside and taking photos, was enough adventure, for me so, I did not enter.

On a hot day in August, it feels good to get back into civilization.

Fifteen minutes walking down the hill to the Itoman Library, was what took place from here.

It turned out to be a good idea because, they had air-conditioning and free drinking water.

Plus, a librarian confirmed we, discovered the cave named, Dondon Gama ! 

YouTube Video: English Subtitles 

Okinawa Prefecture PDF

 

Ryukyu Robin or Akahige (アカヒゲ) Animated GIF

A series of five images were combined to make this GIF.

This bird had its mouth full of what appeared to be worms and spiders.

It was located about halfway up the trail leading to Hiji waterfall.

Now is the time of year these birds stay close to the nests.

They are guarding the little ones and,  gathering grub to feed them. 

For the serious birding audience, I found an interesting link.

It's at Japan Bird Research Association.

The Ryukyu Robin is called Erithacus komadori by many scientists.

Japan's researchers call it Luscinia komadori.

As if the world doesn't already have enough problems now, we have this rare bird.

The scientific community can resolve this without going to war, I hope.

Just keep calling it Akahige, is what I plan on doing.

RESOURCES

 

 

ARKive

Birdlife International

Bird Research News Vol.9 No.1 Bird Research Japan

 The Internet Bird Collection

Wildlife of Okinawa 

YouTube 

Ghost Hunting in Okinawa is Exhausting Work

It All Started the Last Week of September

 

Walking to the office one morning, I noticed Halloween decorations in a shop window.

That reminded me, it's time to start looking around for some good ghost stories.

Not the kind of stuff that's been written down already.  I want something original.

In the Ryukyu islands, they really don't have an occasion called Halloween.

Ghosts and their stories, pop-up all the time.

Catching one with a camera, though, that's a different story.

We're working on it.

Where the Flip-flops Meet the Road

 

Research, so far, has taught me a few things:

1. People believe in ghosts or, they don't.

2. Some folks like to talk about them, others don't.

3. A good ghost story will give you goose bumps (chicken skin, if you prefer).

 4. When the weather is hot, ghost stories have a cooling effect on your body.

 5. It's best to conduct this type of study at night.

6. In a dimly lit bar, you get more information than you would in a shopping mall or, church.

7. People with the best stories may not talk to strangers.

8. Giving a gift, of some sort, often gets its rewards.

9. Candy is dandy but, liquor is quicker.

10. Don't hunt for ghosts close to home.  One might follow you.

Be Careful !

My paranormal meter senses something, behind you.

BOO !

RELATED POST: Today I Went Down Some Old Spooky Stairs

A Bridge with Bougainvillea and Wagon Wheels

What more could you ask for ?

The recently, re-opened Southeast Botanical Gardens has it all.

We just made a quick trip through about half the place and called it a day.

It was so hot, I couldn't get the fish to jump out of water.

The place had been closed for a few years and, I really missed it.

It seems like it will be a while before the attraction gets restored to what it was years ago.

When they get signs on all the plants and flowers, I can spend weeks there.

That's because they write the names in English, Japanese and, Latin.

Imagine, being able to shoot some unknown flower or, bug and have its name right alongside it.

Just snap a photo of the sign and the research is all done.

Anything beats, squinting at a monitor or, thumbnails in a library book, trying to ID stuff.

Another thing, I noticed while touring the gardens.

They have some statues of naked ladies in the pond.  I didn't shot them, though.

It's because, I'm not that type of photographer.

And, the light wasn't right !

If you want to know more about the Botanical Gardens or, squint at a naked lady statue go 

HERE.

Flower Photo: The Flame Vine in Okinawa

It took awhile to nail the name of these brilliant, orange flowers I shot today.

These guys were hanging off the roof of a building up in Motobu.  I had to get a photo.

The mission we were on was to shoot Buddha and the bamboo in morning light.

Once that was accomplished it was time to goof-off.

When I saw those flaming vines Map It Okinawa Dude let me loose.

This is a flower, I've been meaning to shoot and identify for over a year, now.

Taking the Photo was the Easy Part

 

The rest of the story was a little bit different.  I thought I had it made.

There was a flower nursery across the street from where  the orange flowers were hanging.

The sign was in English "Izena Nursery." 

As soon as I opened the door, a pretty gal was standing in front of me.

But, the place wasn't a nursery.  It looked like a coffee shop.

Anyway, I showed the girl the photo and pointed across the road to the flowers.

And, I asked her if she knew the name of the plants.

No luck.  She asked a taxi driver, parked out front.  He didn't know, either.  

 They both suggested, I go back across the highway and ask a flower shop.

Izena Okinawa Japan has Flower (花) Shops Everywhere

 

The signs weren't in English but, I know "花" means flower, when I see it.

It just seemed like every flower store in town was sleeping-in late or, abandoned.

GROAN

About to give-up and head back to the car, I spotted a farmer behind one of the nurseries.

He was loading vegetables into a truck.  

Farmers are good people.  It's easy for me to make friends with them.

It's probably not a great idea to run up to one, if you're a foreigner, and shove a camera in his face.

So, I do stuff like say "Hi" and start complaining about the high cost of my flip-flops.

That gets him laughing.

Then, I shove the camera in his face and ask what those orange flowers might be.

He was a real nice guy and told me "Kaen Kazura."

Before I thank him and leave, I have to make sure I pronounce it right.

He has to yell, real loud to correct me because I don't hear so good.

Gotterdun, I thought, mumbling "Kaen Kazura" all the way back to the car.

From inside my camera bag I grab a marker pen and write it down on my hand.

The Fun Begins with Online Research

 

None of my search engines leads to a flower named Kaen Kazura.

 So, I start typing bright orange flower, Okinawa, Japan, photos, images and plants.

Somebody should come up with a better way to ID Flowers on the internet.

Finding scientific names to match a photo is too time consuming.

But, we gotterdun. 

The Flame Vine is a Pyrostegia venusta from South America.

 

Just One Small Problem Remaining

 

That crazy marker pen has some kind of waterproof ink in it.

Now, my left hand looks like it had a tattoo carved on it by a do stuff yourself artist. 

 Does anyone know a way to scrub it off without losing all my skin ?

Or, should I just wear the gloves I bought to match my flip-flops 'til it wears off  ?

Wildlife Photo: A Dragonfly Named Blue Dasher and a Rant

A few nights ago, I was too burned-out to continue my research.

So, I went and posted this dragonfly as either a Orthetrum Triangulare or Glaucum.

The next morning, I came in and checked my Facebook Page.

BINGO !

A gal, all the way over in Texas, posted the correct ID on the critter.

My hat goes off to Vicky Vivona, a Facebook Fan who found me through MAP IT OKINAWA.

Researching these bugs can really drive a person crazy. 

And, I don't like misidentifying anything I post online. Scientists will jump all over you.

So, I'm glad somebody came along and corrected me, on this one.

The Blue Dasher got a doozy of a scientific name:

Pachydiplax longipennis

What could those scientists have been thinking of when they named this critter ?

I try to keep this blog family friendly.

Are you scientists ashamed of what's under your lab coats, or just some kind of nuts ?

You could have said longiwingus, er something like that. 

Dang !

END OF RANT

Wildlife Photography: Tip #3

Tip #3. Look for Patterns in Behavior.

The internet, library, magazines and encyclopedias are all sources where information is available on the type of wildlife you want to shoot and some of it is true. I usually research wildlife after I’ve taken my photos. I spend a lot of time observing and I learn from watching the critters is the wild; study their habits, look for signs that a certain activity is about to happen. Shoot the photo. Then, see what the experts have to say, later. Lots of the information online is wrong and I have pictures to prove it!


How the above photo was taken:
While waiting in a favorite location for Osprey and Egrets and checking the light meter for the settings I’d need for both sea and sky, I noticed a pattern in the way fish jumped. Whenever one jumped out of the water, if you watched the spot it first appeared from, within a second or two, another fish would jump, too. Photo taken 28OCT2008 8:08AM f/6.7 1/640 ISO 125 with a Pentax K10D and a Sigma 50-500 focal lenght 500mm.

Photography Tips for Foreign Festivals

Showing up at a Festival in a foreign country with a notepad and camera could be a recipe for disaster. If you want to leave a remote village with a great story and photos to document it these tips may be helpful:

1. RESEARCH
Months in advance I start my research. Check as many sources on and offline as you can. You will find differences and sometimes come away with more questions than answers; that's good. You want to document the truth.

2. TRANSLATOR
Even if you speak the language a translator comes in handy. The best documentation may be written in a foreign language and in many cases, just as in the spoken word, local dialects and ancient scripts may make your college language skills useless.


3. VISIT THE LOCATION
On-site visits, months in advance, if possible, are a big bonus. Study the terrain, position of the sun, find the village office, determine the dates, times and locations where events will take place. Plan ahead, look for stores, water supplies and a place to sleep.

4. MAKE FRIENDS
Starting with the village office clerk or groundskeeper, smile, let them know what your intentions are and be respectful. Tell them you want to learn and document their culture, if it's permissible. Most places I've been people go out of their way to assist me. Usually, I'm introduced to VIPs like the Village Chief, Elders, Historian, Mayor or the author of a book on the topic I'm documenting.

Don't limit yourself to just the City Office entourage, the farmer in the field, fisherman, an old couple sitting in a park, children playing and even, the town drunk, all have stories to tell about the festival.
Introduce yourself, get people used to you being around with a camera. They will be more comfortable around you the day of the big event. You may be able to get some photos where participants pose for you in perfect lighting, without them being self conscious, as they would be around a total stranger.

5. SPEND A LITTLE MONEY
Shopkeepers, markets and vendors are all great sources of infomation and more likely than not, related in some way to the folks you met in #4 above. Have a meal or two, buy some local produce, get some snacks and drinks at the little Mom and Pop Stores. Ask about local lodging if you're not planning on pitching a tent. Learn the customs. It may be appropriate to bring gifts. You won't know until you ask.

The photo above was taken in the Village Office at Shioya Bay, Ogimi in Okinawa, Japan. It is of a photo taken at a previous  UNJAMI FESTIVAL. The Festival takes place August 29th this year.

Wikipedia Dude says the festival takes place in July and the guys in the boat are priestesses. I've only made three visits to Ogimi and will attempt two more so when I'm done with my Photo Essay it will resemble a true story!