A Second Visit to Neo Park in Nago Okinawa Japan

Bird Show Is a Must See

On the first visit to this attraction, I forgot all about the bird show advertised on TV.

So, a week later, the second trip to Neo Park was made.

At the ticket counter, the gal told me 11:00 and 14:30 were the showtimes.

With an hour to kill, I wandered around and spotted this brilliantly colored bird.

After returning home, I found out this bird is an endangered species.

More about the Gray crowned crane at National Geographic.

Four or five different birds were displayed, flying from one handler to another.

They fly low, so close to the audience, I thought someone might get hit in the head.

Now, I know why they insisted I sit down on a bench to take photos.

It was so hot and humid (that day) one raptor refused to cooperate and stayed in a tree!

Someday, I'll go back and get better photos, when the light is right and it's cooler outside.

It's best to check the Neo Park website before planning a trip up there.

It closed for two days due to the typhoon but, Google Maps wasn't notified.

Also, Neo Park has an Instagram Photo Contest you may want to check out.

The website may be switched to the English language for information.

Obon in Okinawa Is Here Now Without the Eisa

This is the first year (I can think of) that Eisa got canceled during Obon.

So, I blew a wad of money to get a children's book, to take home.

Inside, you'll discover it has English, Japanese, and Uchinaguchi (Okinawan dialect).

But, my favorite part is this:

Open some of the pages (wide) and the Eisa characters pop-up in your house!

If, you can't find the book at a local gift shop, Google It.

ISBN978-4-9906517-1-8

Well, I have things to do. Happy September and stay safe during this typhoon.

The Cloud and Tablets

Weak Typhoon Blowing Outside

The storm named Kong-Rey is keeping most folks indoors today and probably tomorrow.

Okinawa Typhoon Pics & Info is the weather site I like to follow and, you should too.

They are accurate and will get you laughing on the most miserable days.

Being cooped up indoors for a few days at a time can make folks grouchy.

So, I'm always looking for things to share, to brighten up the day for my readers.

This was the funniest thing I've seen all day on the internet and, I wanted to share it.

It doesn't really have anything to do with Okinawa. Except it gave me a good laugh.

When I complained there was no SHARE BUTTON on Facebook, I got a message.

The image was messaged to me by a real angel and, she's here in Okinawa.

The owner of Salty SUP and Kayak sent the photo so, I could share it with you.

That's the kind of things Ryukyu People do; help each other out. 

It's called "yuimaru" by Okinawan's. We all help each other.

If you're living on this island and are interested in Yoga, Fitness or Stand Up Paddle (SUP)

Visit Christine and hookup on one of her Facebook Pages.

Whenever this stormy weather clears, I may go down south and shoot some SUP photos.

It looks like a lot of fun, paddling down rivers or in the ocean.

But, I'll probably stand and shoot from the shore. My beard looks terrible when it's wet!

Super Typhoon Lan Cleanup

It Missed Okinawa

The weather dudes got it all wrong this time but, it gave me some time off.

Typhoon Lan, is a big one and will probably, cause some damage in mainland Japan.

Last night, I crashed at 7 PM and, woke up 3 AM this morning, to see the action.

That's what time, they predicted winds and rain would be severest.

It was a little windy but, dry outside so, I walked the dog and, bought some coffee.

At 4 AM, white clouds were visible, in the dark skies. By 5 AM, I was at the office.

Cleanup Some Bird Photos

There wasn't any typhoon cleanup required.  Yesterday was wasted, for no good reason.

So, I dug up an old bird photo from 2015, to demonstrate cleaning up an image.

There are distractions in this photo which, take away from the subject. Get rid of them.

The subject is a Black-crowned Night Heron, located in Namisato, Kin Town, Okinawa.

To make the photo "pop" some sticks, twigs, and undesirables, had to be removed.

A few minutes, of photo editing and, my cleanup would be done. Call this BEFORE.

Here's the AFTER Image

Had I wanted to spend a few more minutes time, some of the off-colored items, would disappear.

Just in case, another wildlife photographer wants, to find the spot, I left it natural.

The cement block and colored rocks are more than likely, still there.

One Other Item

One of these days, WiFi will need to be installed in my house.

Sitting at home, checking email accounts was next to impossible the past 24 hours.

One email, from Academia, came through and, really had me curious.

But, there was no sense in pushing "View Now" because I knew, I'd get nowhere.

They Got Me Confused with Someone Wearing Shoes

There's plenty, I could tell you, about ways of the world and, ladies of the night.

But, I ain't got no Doctorates Degree!

So, I had to get some cleaning up on that Academia site, too.

Don't get me wrong. People with that level of education, I admire. Some, are my friends.

"Michael Lynch" (the guy in that email) probably, is way more educated than me.

So, I spent a few hours, getting my profile, over there, spiffed up.

There are a few thousand, "Michael Lynch" characters on this planet, I'll bet.

But, I bet, there ain't many, doing their research, wearing yellow flip-flops!

My Typhoon Cleanup is done for the day.

NOTE:  For the best typhoon information (On Okinawa) go HERE

Island Image: Start of the 2017 Sailing Sabani Race

Furuzamami Beach

Last Sunday was my 5th time traveling to Zamami Island for these races, as a photographer.

It's sort of a working vacation, for me and I stay fairly busy but, always have fun.

The folks who paddle and sail these old wooden boats, are a great bunch of people.

Before any sailing event, they hold a beach cleanup. Everyone participates even, children.

They have great respect for nature and, the ocean. 

This race is one of the biggest affairs of the year. Look at the sea and skies. They were awesome.

For a minute, I thought this was going to be a fantastic day for sailing the 37km race to Naha.

Normally, sabani boats cross the finish line in about 4 hours. That's when the wind is right.

From what I heard at the finish this year, only 3 boats finished in the 6 hour time limit.

About 10 hours, I was bouncing around on an escort boat, taking photos.

A typhoon, headed towards the mainland, pulled some tricks on the sabani boats this year.

The wind and waves, were pushing the ocean from east to west.

Our objective was to race from west to east. So, it took a lot longer, to get there.

Everyone survived and, we made sure plenty of liquid refreshments were consumed.

No sense in getting all dehydrated, when they have huge quantities of beverages available.

Those of us, who didn't have to work Monday, just spent the night in Naha.

We kept nourishing our dry throats, until the wee hours of the morning.

It was Monday, at home when I first noticed, my body was as red as a lobster.

All of a sudden, today big chunks of my hide, flap in the breeze and, are falling of  me.

Nobody wants to see a picture of that. Do you ?

For now, I'll just give the photography specs used in this travel image.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 15 MM

Exposure: f/11   1/1000   ISO 400

Location: Furuzamami Beach Zamami-jima Okinawa Japan

Date and Time:  JUL 2 2017  8:42 AM

Typhoon Chaba Approaching and Passing Okinawa

All Is Well on the Island of Okinawa

Sunday night, I went home early, after unplugging everything electric in my office.

The weather dudes, predicted this storm would rip right through the Ryukyu islands.

Looking out the back door of the house, I shot this sunset scene with the cellphone camera.

It was 6:29PM and, I forgot, there was a real camera, setting on the kitchen table.

Then, it occurred to me, I should be drinking beer. So that's what I did.

Around 9PM trucks were driving around, telling people to stay away from the ocean.

They even told old folks, you can evacuate to the community center if, you get scared.

That's nice and, I bet some people did, just that but, I wasn't worried.

See, I live on a hill, way above sea level and, only go to the ocean on nice days.

That Typhoon Fooled Everybody

The crazy thing got stronger but, passed way to the south and west of this island.

It disappointed some folks but, I feel sorry for mainland Japan.

They have been getting attacked by almost every severe storm this year.

Fields, roads, mountains, rivers and homes get destroyed along with crops, too.

Some vegetable prices have already skyrocketed because of flooding in the mainland.

Most of our potatoes come from Hokkaido.  They don't grow very well, down here.

Well, the wife complains about how expensive potatoes have gotten. She won't but anymore.

I went shopping with her the other night and, decided to buy powdered potatoes.

That way, I could satisfy my craving for potatoes and beer, during the storm.

Before drinking anything, I had to do something with the Pentax.

At 6:26PM it  seemed like a good time to duplicate the scene from the night before.

There wasn't any orange color in the sky so, I decided to show you the effects of the wind.

The sky appears bluer, only because, I bumped the camera up to ISO 400.

It was getting dark outside but, the wind wasn't very strong. Drink beer !

As the Storm Blows Farther and Farther Away

After a few (too many) beers, I forgot about making mashed potatoes and, went to bed.

It rained on and off, throughout the night and, I suppose it got fairly windy, out there.

Up in the morning, before the sun, I let the dog out and looked around.

No damage could be seen, anywhere, in my neck of the woods. That's good.

Life is back to normal on this island. Then, the wife wakes up.

She's forever, asking me, "What do you want to eat?"  I ain't hungry yet.

My mashed potatoes are still stuffed in a bag with some pizza potato chips, I forgot about.

The wife, made tons of rice so, we'd be ready if the rower failed. But, it didn't.

We gotta eat rice. Lots of it. So, I say, "OK. Let's try something different."

New Version of Fried Rice

Maybe it's been tried before and, maybe it hasn't. Ever seen anything like this?

It happens to be fried rice with chicken and mozzarella cheese.

Still in the experimental stages, I wasn't sure if, I should add some pizza sauce.

The lady of the house cooked it so, I don't know what all the ingredients might be.

It was fairly tasty. Maybe, could use a little more pepper and garlic.

Another big batch is waiting at the house for me and, I've been thinking.

Perhaps a side order of mashed potatoes and gravy, would be great with that dish!

Do you suppose, all the negative ions accompanying a typhoon, could drive folks a bit crazy?

Full Moon Celebration Kin Town SEP 2015

Typhoon Dujan Blew Us Off

 

 

The ornery tropical storm went to ruin the weekend somewhere else, south of here.

It didn't make it easy to do moon photography but, we gotterdun.

Out with the big lens to catch the moon coming up over the horizon was disappointing.

A thick layer of clouds, wouldn't let the moon shine through so, I walked back to town.

Then, I changed lenses to do some festival photography and, headed out again.

The golden moon peeked through the clouds for just a few seconds. 

This photo was taken with an 18-250mm lens, stretched all the way out.

First time for everything, someone decided to hold the festival indoors.

The place was packed and, I had to find somewhere, to get my back against the wall.

These gals, waiting to do a dance onstage, agreed to let me take their photo.

Off to the side of the stage, I captured this performance.

Traditional Ryukyuan music is being played on stringed instruments and drums.

From the back of the auditorium, I was able to get everyone in the scene.

There were lots of children running around and, folks sipping spirits.

This is some sort of classical dance they used to do in the old days.

Back when this place was called the Ryukyu Kingdom, only royalty could perform the dance.

With lots of people offering me drinks and, kids bouncing around my tripod, um...

...it started giving me some royal pains so, I decided it was time to get back outdoors.

Back in the office, I changed lenses again and, managed to catch this silver moon.

The gold was gone and the moon was higher in the sky.

So, I put enough lens on the camera, to give me 700mm of glass to poke at the supermoon.

Several hundred images were downloaded from two cameras.

But, it's time for me to get out of here and do some celebrating in town !

Food Photo and Recipe: Okinawan Chahan

Also Known As Fried Rice

 

 

Tropical Cyclone #16 or, Typhoon Goni, seems to have left Okinawa.

Tonight, I took a stroll over to the office and, didn't notice much damage along the way.

Not, having gotten out with the cameras, I had to dig up something from the past.

Fried rice is something, I consider, a lightweight meal.

After woofing down a large sized bowl of it, I'm full, for about an hour.

Then, the urge to sink my teeth into a cow starts kicking in.

One one of those days where, I'm not really hungry, this is an excellent quick fix.

A friend of mine, Benjamin Martin puts sake in his recipe.

So, I thought if  anyone wants to try cooking their own, I'd give a link to him.

Find his recipe at More Things Japanese.

It's time for me to inspect the bars over in Kin Town for typhoon damages !

Travel Shots -- Calm Before the Storm

Today's travels had us making the southern tour of Okinawa island.

The mission was to get some photos of sites in Shuri and Itoman for the Ryukyu folk tales.

It was a busy morning and very productive but, just a tad too hot in the sun.

The first site we looked for in Shuri, was spotted within twenty minutes of our arrival.

Then, it was off to Itoman City and up a hill that went into the boonies.

The cave, I wanted to find, is called Dondon Gama.

This is located in some rough country and it will require another visit with the cameras.

We left the area with plenty of photos, cuts, sprains, bruises and, a little bloodshed.

 Late morning on a bright sunny day is probably not the best time for cave and jungle shots.

Now, that I know the exact location, I'll do things a little differently, next time.

Hiking shoes, will replace the flip-flops,

Somebody with a brush knife might have to lead the way and cut a trail.

Bug spray and blue jeans, might come in handy for the trek, as well.

Air Conditioned Lunch Break

 

 

 

Once the real work was accomplished, it was time to cool off and do lunch.

The second floor restaurant, overlooking Kudaka Island was perfect.

Located in Nanjo City, it was on our route, heading back north along the east coast.

Below the restaurant, the gift shop had some items, I was hoping to buy.

 This wasn't on the shopping list but, I splurged and, bought it anyway.

It's a plastic folder with English, Japanese and Okinawan language on it.

Getting things done around here, sometimes requires a little bit of the local language.

 Uchinaguchi, is the original Ryukyu language and, I learned enough to get by.

The poor guy, who served our meal, didn't speak Okinawan; only Japanese.

So, when Doc and, I spoke to him, he looked at us, like we were speaking some foreign tongue.

He may have been a college student from Japan, working a part time job.

 Learning just a few phrases of the local dialect, makes travel more enjoyable.

And, folks in the travel industry, should be able to speak a bit of it, too.

We explained, to the young man, what we were saying, in Japanese and, he thanked us.

For a bit more of Uchinaguchi, here's an online encyclopedia of useful phrases.

It looks as if the typhoon will be visiting us tomorrow with some rain.

Strong, damaging winds probably, won't be hitting us directly.

So, after a few beers en route to my home, I may just sleep all day tomorrow !

Flower Photo: Unidentified Passion Fruit Blossom

This one has me stumped. There are over 500 species of  Passiflora.

And, before we got a chance to see if this one bears fruit, a typhoon, blew everything away.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 300mm

Exposure: f/6.3  1/200   ISO 400

From Yesterday's Wedding: GIF of the Week

Typhoon Vongfong Didn't Stop Them

 

 

My nephew and his bride had a beach wedding planned.

Along came this typhoon and cancelled the shindig on the shores of Okinawa.

The groom's mom had to think of something quick.

The bride's father had to catch a flight back to Tennessee, today.

Well, she got this kind minister, to let them get married in his church.

And, even got me permission to wear my yellow flip-flops inside.

We were all so excited, hardly anybody could stand still for the wedding.

It took awhile and, lots of shots just to get a few good photos.

But, we gotterdun and, after that, had one heck of a party.

See more photos of the event on my Facebook Page

GIF of the Week: Takydromus smaragdinus

A Unexpected Find

 

 

This morning, I went on, what I call, a before-the-typhoon walk.

Knowing it's going to rain for a few days, I had to get out of the office.

The plan, was to shoot some flowers and, that was accomplished in no time at all.

On the way back to the office, I spotted motion among the sweet potato vines out back.

So, I hung around for a few hours and let lizards entertain me.

 There are now, about six new flower photos in my files for today.

And, a couple of hundred lizard images, too !

A Little Explanation About How I Missed the Last Typhoon

 

Way Too Much Sleep Had Something to Do with It

 

 

For the past three days, I slept about 20 hours a day.

A visit to the doctor with pain in the left calf muscle is how things got started.

An examination and some ex-rays were very revealing.

The doctor, determined the cause of my pain, came from my spine.

My freakin' backbone is too straight. Its supposed to be curved.

HUH ?

He showed me a plastic backbone.

One with wires inside it that, I guess, are supposed to represent nerves.

Well, when your backbone is too straight and stiff, those nerves go haywire.

Allegedly, one of those wires in my back, is causing pain in my lower leg.

So, the good doctor sent me for a massage and gave me lots of drugs.

Massage Was Terriffic

 

 

Some young gal got me to lay on a table and gave me the massage of a lifetime.

Not one of those where it feels like the Jaws of Life are crushing you.

Or, one that feels like a jackhammer is being used on your body.

She gently massaged with her fingers, like a grand-daughter would.

When she started rocking my hips and pelvis bones, I almost had to warn her.

Hey. Elvis ain't as dead as some folks think.

Be careful around that little devil. He may come back and try for another hit.

The gal, must have been a mind reader and, moved along down the line, to my legs.

After half an hour or so, the massage was over and I felt sort of relaxed.

Then, it was off to pick up the drugs the doctor prescribed.

Muscle Relaxers and Pain Killers

 

 

Normally, I wouldn't take anything stronger than Aspirin.

The good doctor explained what the four drugs he was giving me would do.

Mostly, relieve pain and relax muscles and, he could give me stronger stuff, too.

When he mentioned some experimental super drug, made from opium, I declined.

Man, I know some dudes who would volunteer to try that stuff.

"Sign us up, we'll be glad to help."  That's what they'd say !

Here's how the past three days went:

Take three different pills after breakfast.

Take the same pills after lunch.

Take them again after supper.

Take this other bag of drugs in between each meal and before bedtime at night.

When I take these drugs here's what happens:

The lower lip goes numb and I get real sleepy.

Drink lots of water and say "Goodnight."

Pain killer, doesn't really kill the pain. It just numbs the brain.

When I combine pain killers with muscle relaxers, I become like a wet noodle.

Typhoon Neoguri Blew Through or By Okinawa

 

 

A couple of times, when I was conscious, I saw the weather outside my window.

People, around the globe, watching TV probably saw more of the storm than me.

It doesn't appear to have done as much damage as predicted.

Mainland Japan, will probably get hit much harder.

Excellent Medical Care and Advice

 

 The Japanese medical professionals and therapists may be on to something.

It's time to start slouching.

We probably, shouldn't yell at our kids so much when they slouch.

They are putting me through some therapy and, I'm learning to take it easy.

Slouching, may be good for your health !

 

 

 

If You Really Wanna Drive Youself Bananas Try This

Document the Life of a Banana Leaf

 

The bright idea came to me when I first saw this new banana leaf.

Wouldn't it be cool, to show the world before and after typhoon photos of the thing ?

Even, during the typhoon, I went out there with a camera.

 

And, it was windy, sometimes, I got wet.

The typhoon didn't kill the new leaf, just shredded things a bit.

We got some tough bananas in this part of the world.

Almost every day, I went out and shot photos of the banana tree.

Some people think it's crazy but, it's where I take my smoke breaks, anyway.

It only takes a few seconds to set up a camera.

 So, that's what I do.

It's a heck of a lot easier than trying to do pushups while you're smoking.

One day, I caught a snail, slimming around on my favorite leaf.

Snails can't be good for plants so, I threw it over the fence.

The damage, may have already been done.

The whole banana tree looks like it's about to give up.

But, I keep going out there and shooting every day, anyway.

There isn't anything fascinating about dead banana tree photos.  I know.

Once my mind is made up, to do something, I just keep on doing it.


So, if you don't like bananas, look at the poinsettias or, hibiscus flowers.


Meanwhile, excuse me, while I continue to drive myself bananas !

Return of the Banana Leaf and More Stuff

 That Typhoon in October Killed My Banana Leave

Every day and night,  I check to see how it's doing.

Things are coming along nicely, since the place got demolished back in October.

That's what the scene looked like (above) during the typhoon in Okinawa.

This photo was taken NOV 11, 2013.

Then, yesterday, NOV 12,2013, a hibiscus flower appeared in the scene.

Here I am, trying to do a documentary on a banana leaf and, look what happens.

This morning, I noticed this, when I set up the camera.

Bright red hibiscus flowers keep popping up in my scenes.

Maybe, I should quit shooting banana trees.

And, switch, to become a hibiscus reporter !