5 Images from Iris Fields in Kijoka, Ogimi, Okinawa

Bursting with Purple

The season began 10 days early this year, according to the local news channel.

Luckily, I was watching the evening Japanese news when it was featured.

Otherwise, I may have missed the purple blossoms entirely this year.

April is a busy month, with all sorts of springtime rituals, throughout Okinawa.

People Offended by Purple Shouldn't Go Here

One of the things I enjoy about travel writing is, getting people inspired to visit.

A few photos I posted on Facebook were viewed over 8,000 times in the past 12 hours!

Everybody can't love purple but, lots of folks on Facebook do so, here are some more.

Just the day before these photos were taken, we were freezing in Okinawa.

The temperatures dropped down to the low teens for a few days.

Centigrade teens, means turn on the heat and wear layers of clothing in this part of the world.

Luckily, the fields were not flooded and muddy. I had socks on with my flip-flops.

One year, the iris fields almost swallowed me and a brand new pair of footwear.

Purple happens to be a favorite color of mine because it goes well with yellow.

Those who know me know, I don't wear any other color flip-flops but yellow.

That's a hint, just in case somebody wants to give me a gift. Size 12 would be good, too.

The iris fields are surrounded by green hills and fun to photograph at wide angles.

Another thing I like about this place is, they sell stalks of the flowers, to take home.

They are less expensive than visiting a flower shop and, women love them.

So, I spring for about 10 bucks worth, every time I visit the iris fields in bloom.

It keeps the wife from complaining about my muddy flip-flops, coming into the house.

Parting Shot

For the Purple Haters, here are some cosmos and daisies, to distract you from the iris flowers.

But, I still recommend staying away from the Iris Fields of Kijoka. Hah!

NORMAL PEOPLE: VISIT THE IRIS FIELDS OF KIJOKA

The City of Naha Can be More Fun Than Disneyland to Me

Springtime Seems to Have Been Postponed

 

 

Clouds and rain were predicted, again today.

Wednesday, is the only day of the week, Doc Graff and I go on our camera trips.

So, we chose Naha, the capital of Okinawa, to do some shooting.

A pavilion was built, in honor of the Guinness World Record Tug-O-War rope.

It's a lot easier to take photos when there isn't 250,000 people surrounding it.

When Doc, went in a travel and tourism office, I stayed outside.

They have this big movie screen out on the International Avenue (Kokusai Street) .

Tourists, from around the world, get to see themselves, on the big screen.

They smile, wave and even, get to dance with cartoon characters.

The show ended, before Doc got to see it so, we moved on down the street.

About the time, I got done making an image of this huge Shisa, the rain started.

So, we decided to go into some of the covered market streets.

The Big Movie Screen Started Up Again

 

 

When these gals gave permission to shoot, I didn't care about the rain.

There's no way, you'll ever catch me standing in the rain at Disneyland.

Everything here was free !

More About Naha, Capital of Okinawa, Japan

Springtime Plowing in Kin Town Okinawa

Watch These Egrets

 

 

While the farmer is tilling the field, they look for worms and bugs, to eat.

The tractor doesn't scare them, one bit.

When the tractor stops and the farmer gets off, that's a different story.

Do you suppose they think he's going to get a shotgun ?

Flower Photo: The Cosmos of Kin Town Okinawa

Last night, on the way to shoot the full moon, I spotted these flowers.

Location: Kin Town, near Nature Mirai.

Camera: Pentax K5

Lens: Sigma 50-500mm

Just two years ago,  I thought a Cosmo was some new auto made by Toyota.

If I keep taking flower photos for this blog, I might become a walking, flower encyclopedia.

There are lots more flowers blooming in the coming months.

Many of them have festivals celebrating the occasions.

Everything depends on the weather and I'll try to keep you posted, in advance.

Some of the springtime flower festivals I've been to may be seen here.

Sometimes, the flowers bloom and festivals are over before I get there !

It's best to keep an eye on Okinawa2Go! on Facebook for current events.

Another great resource for flower festivals and travel events, throughout Japan, is:

Japan National Tourism Organization

Springtime Flowers to Look for in Okinawa, Japan (Photos)

It'll be Spring this time next week so, here are a few flowers I'll be looking forward to seeing.

The first photo, a Golden Trumpet or, Tabebuia caraiba was taken March 5, 2011.

They are a tad late blooming this year but, should be in full bloom shortly.

One of my favorite flowers, the Purple Iris, is the next one to watch.  They can be tricky.

April 2d, last year, I went to shoot photos of the iris fields in a place called Ogimi.

If you go looking for these flowers too early, you might as well just take photos of a green onion field.

Not wanting to waste a day of camera shooting, I was lucky to find some Cosmos.

These flower photos were taken April 2, 2011. 

See, we have Cosmos and an Iris field that looks like green onions.

Another cameraman went to shoot the Iris Fields and didn't want to waste the day.

He got the same bright idea and went shooting Cosmos.

So, I shot him, too.



A week later (March 9, 2011) I went back to Ogimi and found what I was looking for.

The place was full of those bright Purple Iris flowers, blooming in the sun.

That guy in the yellow shirt with a great big zoom lens on his Canon, crawled right into the field for a close up.

So, I shot him, too.

Another, very important flower to look for in Springtime on Okinawa is the world famous

Easter Lily

The above photo was taken April 27, 2011 in the wife's garden.

They have A MILLION LILY FESTIVAL every year April/May time-frame on an island named

IeShima


You just have to keep watching the news to find out exactly when in Springtime everything is ready for your camera if you want to look for flowers in Okinawa, Japan.


I'll do my best to keep you posted but, I ain't so sure about going the the IeShima Lily Festival this year.  Somebody gave me a black eye last time I went there !

Get more info on Okinawa's flowers in TREES, FLOWERS, FERNS