Golden Trumpet Trees Blooming in Okinawa and Some Bark

Ever Wonder What Those Bright Yellow Flowers Are ?

 

 

In this part of the world, we just call them Ipe.

The common name would be Golden Trumpet, for the trees and flowers.

Scientists, seem to disagree, over what to call them.

Not especially qualified to argue with science-types, here's what I did.

Running around with a camera, I made random images of the things.

Maybe, we could call it a random act of kindness, for the scientific community.

They don't pay me for doing this stuff but, I have lots of fun.

A closer look at the tree trunk and bark, might help clear things up.

 The clusters of leaves may help in identification, too.

 University of Florida, calls them: Tabebuia chrysotricha

Pacific Horticulture Society, says they are:  Handroanthus chrysotrichus

Another Type of Bark Encountered 

What makes this type of work fun, is some of the crazy things that happen along the way.

This farmer's dog, didn't like the idea of me being in the area.

So, he came running after me, barking.

That's when the mad scientist, in me came out.

  

It took a little growling and barking, back at him, to scare him off.

Then, he stayed on his side of the fence and, I stayed on mine.

Hopefully, those scientists will come to an agreement, soon.

Because next, I want to shoot some Pink and Purple Trumpets.

They probably, won't agree on what to call them, either.

Related Post:

Flower Photos: The Golden Trumpet Trees in Okinawa

Photo Essay: Could These Be Hero Butterflies ?

The Cameras Are Always Ready

Out in the wild it's best to keep the cameras ready to fire at any moment.

When there are no birds, snakes or, furry critters around, bugs and butterflies will have to do.

This butterfly, with odd, eyeball-looking marks on its wings showed up.

The closest thing, I can find online, shows it resembles a Coenonympha hero.

That would be a pretty amazing butterfly, to catch on camera, because they are rare.

Just in case the scientists need one, I shoot lots of photos.

It's a good idea to shoot the other butterflies hanging around with them, too.

The real butterfly experts want to know what kind of plants they land on to feed.

And, they like to get an idea what the surrounding terrain looks like.

Here's a bit closer-up shot so, they can count the spots and see the antennae.

There's no way I'll call these butterflies Coenonympha Hero, until it's confirmed by scientists.

 These characters were spotted later in the day, frolicking around in the bushes.

 They acted more like heroes, if you ask me !

Flower Photos: Odontonema strictum or Firespike

Here's another flower that brightens up the cold winter days on Okinawa.

Like Poinsettia plants, they fire-up the hills with red color, even if the sun doesn't shine.

People gave them all kinds of common names.  

Mexican Firespike, Firespike, Scarlet Flame and Cardinal Guard are a few that I found.

Scientists call them Odontonema strictum.  They aren't regular people, you know.

They would probably kick my butt in a game of Scrabble, I bet.

Science Helps Me Sometimes

 

 

It might have taken all week to get the correct identification of this plant.

Whenever there's a sign like this, alongside a flower I'm shooting, I photograph it, too.

Then, just put Odonto Nema in a search engine and see what pops up.

Those scientific names are used around the world.

They really make it easy to correctly ID wildlife, plants and probably diseases.

So, I guess I shouldn't poke fun at those scientist guys, too much.

They are a lot smarter than me.

But, I think I could beat most of them at chugging alphabet soup.  Hah !

Find out more about Firespike at the University of Florida

RELATED POST: 

Poinsettia Plants Can Become Humongous

See more of Okinawa's Plants in Trees, Flowers and Ferns

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

Typhoon Mawar: Like Chickens With Their Heads Cut Off !

The first typhoon, each year, that comes anywhere near Okinawa

has people running around like chickens with their heads cut off. 

Well, I just don't panic that easy.

So, I came in this morning to see who had the best online-typhoon information for you.

Some scientists (I think) at PHYS ORG were at the top of Google's page #1.

They say that Typhoon Mawar is heading out to sea.

That's where this island is; out to sea.

Now, I'm gonna start running around like a chicken, too.

If you are new to the island of Okinawa or, if you have friends, family, loved ones here, don't panic.

This is just a baby typhoon and everything will be fine, just a little wet.

Maybe, I'll sneak out and snap a few photos for you, later.

I gotta run. 

THE SKY IS FALLING !



THIS JUST IN: AN EXCELLENT, VISUAL UPDATE !!!



ANOTHER UPDATE:

The shocking aftermath of Typhoon Mawar.

This photo was taken through the front door of my office at 12:52PM today.

What's so shocking about that?

I was supposed to be rained-in and painting the place.

The heck with that. Think I'll get outta here and catch some rays. 

Visit my homepage for the Photo of the Day 

Wildlife Photos: Fiddler Crab (Uca perplexa) Ryukyu Islands

Here's a character found in the mangrove marshes of the Ryukyu Islands during low tide.

Fiddler Crabs can be found in many places other than Okinawa, Japan. 

They help keep the marshes clean by eating algae, fungus and decaying matter.

So, if you want to save some money when you're ready to die just go lay down in the swamps where these guys live.  They'll be glad to help you out.

Some scientists think these crabs wave their big claw at the ladies to impress them.

And some of them do stuff like dishonest signaling.  Crynoutloud.....

 I  think those scientists are

NUTS !

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