An Ocean Breeze and Some Shade Is All You Need

When Okinawa Gets Too Hot

Temperatures and humidity have been going off the charts recently on this island.

An early riser, I'm usually up and about before the sun rises.

It's cool enough outside, to take the dog for a walk, while buying my morning iced coffee.

Once the sun rises above the surrounding buildings, it gets too hot for outdoor activity.

So, I've been hanging around at home, enjoying the air-conditioning and, going to work late.

Late afternoons, some buildings provide shade, along one side of the street.

Even when there's no wind blowing, shadows provide some relief from the blazing hot sun.

On the hottest, most humid day, a tree, shade and an ocean breeze, are gifts from heaven.

This photo reminded me of one of those days, I was thanking the heavens for shade.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 23MM

Exposure: f/11   1/1250   ISO 400

Location: Horizon Curry Works, Chatan, Okinawa

Date and Time: JUN 28 2017  12:44 PM

Okinawan Folktale: Moon and Sun Separated

God Carried Them Together

Many years ago God carried the sun and moon on a wooden pole, across his shoulders.

They were like children to him. Moon on the left and sun on his right side.

That would confuse people, nowadays. The sun and moon rising together every day.

They say, there was never night time on the Ryukyu islands; the sun and moon shined together.

The light just got a little darker, when God walked on the other side of a mountain.

A Decision Had to Be Made

God loved the sun and moon. One day he decided to ask them, where they wanted to go.

The sun, shining brilliantly said, "Let's go east, towards the ocean."

Moon said, "No. Not that way. I want to go west to the other side of the mountains."

God, liked to please everybody and, wasn't sure how to handle this situation.

The sun kept bouncing up and down, demanding "East, over by the ocean."

The not so bright moon, jumped around, demanding, they head west, to the hills.

God had never heard such a racket coming from these spoiled children.

They were squirming around, shouting "East. No. West. No. Ocean. Mountains."

God was trying hard to please them but, "This way. That way." What should he do?

He was trying to figure out a solution, while walking, tripped and fell to the ground.

The pole, he was carrying them on, broke. "Aki-sami-yo" (dagnabbit) he said.

The sun escaped and flew off towards the east and, the moon flew off to the hills in the west.

Since that day, the sun has risen in the east and, goes down in the west.

The moon, rises in the east and reflects the sun's rays, as it sets behind the western hills.

God shed so many tears because, his family became separated, rivers began to flow.

At least, he can still see them, as they rise and set, causing what, we call, day and night.

REFERENCE:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P. 10

MORE FOLKLORE

Flying Fish? Nope Koinobori (鯉幟) and Fun to Shoot !

Carp Streamers are Koinobori

 

In Japan, you see them from late April through the month of May.

They aren't wildlife or, fish jumping out of water but, they can be just as challenging.

So, when there are no critters around, for me to capture with the camera, I shoot Koinobori.

Some of the methods I use are the same as if I were going after wildlife.

Here are a few tips on how to catch these critters with a digital camera.

Spot focus, if you can.

Move around, so the sun is hitting your back and watch the fishes' eyes.

Just like wildlife, they won't hold a pose for you. They are always moving.

The camera needs to in in Continuous Shooting Mode.

When you see the sun light-up the eye, fire away.  Three frames at a time, is what I do.

It might take a hundred or two clicks of the shutter but, who cares ?

With a digital camera, at least you're not wasting film.

When you download the camera, you'll have some different photos to show everyone.

If you ever decide to be a wildlife photographer, you have a head start on the rest of the crowd.

These photos were taken around 8AM at Haneji Dam in Okinawa, Japan.

Early morning or, late afternoon gives you the best light.

That's because the sun is low in the sky.

For directions to Haneji Dam: Checkout Map It Okinawa

More tricks of the trade may be seen in Photo Tips

Travel Photo: Reflections on the Okukubi River in Okinawa

Sometimes, out looking for wildlife, I end up taking photos with wood in them instead.

This observation deck and stairs going into the mangroves on the Okukubi River

in Kin Cho Okinawa, were man-made.

But, the dude who makes the sun go up and down gave me the reflections !

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Moon Your Local Power Plant (Photo) Why ?

          Here's a photo of the moon rising behind my local Power Plant in Okinawa, Japan.

                  Why should you moon the Power and Electric Company or Power Plant ?

                                Just in case nobody has ever told you, I'll tell you why. 

                      Um, I'm fairly certain, the power that comes from the sun is FREE !

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