Showing posts with label Ryukyu Damselfly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryukyu Damselfly. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Ryukyu Damselfly (琉球羽黒とんぼ) and Mr. Miyagi

blue damselfly

Today found us in the northern hills of Okinawa, searching for cinnamon trees.

A kind gentleman, named Mr. Miyagi, showed us where to find them.

We hiked up a stream-bed with him leading the way.

He is easily, 6 years, my senior but, trekked up the hills twice as fast as me.

Now, I was wearing the usual, yellow flip-flops, which weren't built for this hike.

Mr. Miyagi disappeared around the bend.

When I arrived at a fork in the stream, I had no idea which way to go.

As I climbed out of the stream, my left flip-flop got whisked away in the water.

Groan. I was about a mile up the rocky creek.

Hopping back downstream, didn't sound like a good idea.

Luckily, the flip-flop got wedged in some rocks and, I was able to catch it with my tripod legs.

Mr. Miyagi, came back and showed me which way to continue the hike.

Showing him some of the damselflies, I shot, was a good idea.

He probably, figured, that's what was taking me so long.

He asked if I'd give him a photo.

As many photos of these damselflies, as he likes, I'll give him.

He, pulled cinnamon trees out by the roots and, gave them to Doc and I to take home.

The wives will be thrilled.

More about cinnamon trees will be published at a later date.

Mr. Miyagi is one of those people you don't get to meet everyday.

If you ever run across a Mr. Miyagi who pulls on rubber boots to walk in the woods, beware.

There just might be a three mile hike upstream coming your way.

Ya gotta love it !







Monday, June 17, 2013

Nature Photos: Ryukyu Damselfly (琉球羽黒とんぼ) Haguro Tonbo

This Bug Has Been Thoroughly Researched

 

Many thanks to the gals at the Yambaru Wlidlife Center who gave me the scientific name.

In Okinawa, it's Haguro Tonbo, scientific name: Matrona basilaris japonica.

This is a rare, endangered species on the IUCN Red List.


 One of my favorite resources, ARKive, doesn't show much about this species.



It's easy to wear down a camera battery, trying to catch these guys in flight.


They aren't camera shy; just fast.


It's a good thing I didn't swat one to get him to hold still for me.

At the time, I was shooting these photos, I didn't know how rare the insects were.


Really, I wouldn't harm any creature just to get the image I wanted.


These Characters Have Some Unusual Breeding Habits

 

 

 

Lots of women and children read this blog so, I don't want to talk about peckers here.

In my research, I came across an insect biologist named Rowan Hooper.

He has  Ph.D in evolutionary biology from Sheffield University in the United Kingdom.

Checkout his Japan Times article on the Ryukyu Damselfly if you want to learn more.