Bird Animation from DEC 2019

They're Gone But Will Return in Autumn

Grey-faced Buzzards (Butastur indicus) AKA Sashiba, in Japan are migratory visitors.

They visit Okinawa from late October until March each year.

Going through my image files, I found this batch and decided to post an animation.

This character frequented my neighborhood within 500 meters of my house, all winter.

Since migratory birds are gone, I walk somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 steps daily.

When the weather turns cold again, I'll be looking forward to seeing my Sashiba friend!

July 2018 Full Moon and Blood Moon Over Okinawa

Just a Quick Peek

It was advertised as the "Longest Eclipse of the Century" so, I had to witness it.

The doctors can tell you, I probably won't be around for any eclipses next Century.

My physical condition is excellent. You should see the stuff I do while out with the camera.

Waiting for the moon can be boring soo, I get some exercises done while I'm out there.

Black clouds kept the moon out of sight early last night so, I came up with a plan.

Everything needed for the Blood Moon photography got loaded in a backpack.

Normally I don't take cameras and lenses home; they stay at the office.

The idea was to get some sleep because the eclipse would take place from  4 to 5 AM.

Just before turning in, I went outside and searched for the moon.

There it was, nice and bright, peeking between the clouds. At 9:23 this photo was taken.

By 10 PM I was off to sleep. I wanted to be hiking towards the moon at 3 AM.

Earth Between Sun and Moon

The shadow moving across the moon was caused by our planet, blocking the sun.

Once we get centered between the sun and moon everything turns blood red.

If, you want a lesson on why that happens, go Google - Eclipse of the Moon.

Just as  I was about to shoot the totally blood red moon, it disappeared.

Thick clouds, fog, sea spray, you name it, came along and spoiled my fun.

Moonset and sunrise happened about the same time today so, I walked home.

Now, it's time for a hot shower, breakfast and some sleep.

Blood Moon 2018

Wordless Wednesday: Vane or Vain ?

GIF: Six Minutes of Clouds and October 2017 Moon

Nine Image Animation

A lot can happen, when out shooting the full moon on Okinawa.

The series of photos, used to create this scene, were taken between 6:20 and 6:26 PM.

 The wind was blowing black clouds through the sky and shaking my camera lens.

The color of the moon, changed during that time period, too.

After downloading the camera and, posting images on the blog, I went out for a drink.

Joking with a guy in the bar, I said,"The moon's a moving target."

He agreed and said, "I know. I'm a meteorologist."

That was my chance to ask him, "How come the color of the moon changes, so fast?"

Well, about that time, a beautiful woman, walked into the bar.

So, I quit paying attention to the weatherman. Amen.

It's Easy to Animate a Little Pecker

First You Have to Find One

Little peckers are common in Japan, anywhere from Okinawa to Hokkaido.

They are also found throughout parts of Asia, such as China and Korea.

When you spot one like this, don't make any noises and sneak as close as you can to it.

A tripod is recommended but, you could steady the camera on a rock or, tree limb.

The bird was busy, pulling wood out of a dead tree probably, to nest in. Sawdust was flying.

Take Plenty of Photos

There are seven images, I used to create this GIF but, I probably shot fifty of this bird today.

If, you don't have a Google Photo account, get one; it's free.

To make one of these animated GIF's in less than five minutes, here's all you have to do:

1. Upload to your Photo account

2. When the upload is complete, refresh your browser

3. Next, hit CREATE, it's just to the left of the UPLOAD button

4. A window drops down and gives you choices Create new Animation, is what you want

5. Select the images you want to use in the animation

6. Checkmarks will appear on the selected photos. Hit CREATE and, you're done

Recommendation 

Most of the animations I create will have from 5-9 images, sized at 800 pixels wide.

Before downloading animations, I check the info feature on Google Photos.

To keep GIF's from being over 3 million bytes, don't add excess photos to the animation.

If you use Twitter or, just post them on a website, you don't want humongous files.

Brenna the Google Photos expert is the one to ask if, you want to learn more.

Related Post: Do They Really Have Little Peckers in Japan ?

US Elections -- It's Like this Grasshopper

Trying to Explain 2016 Election

The wife watches Japanese news every morning on the kitchen television.

When they have US presidential debates, portions are shown here, with Japanese subtitles.

People around the globe are concerned about who the next US president will be.

Politics and I, don't get along so, I stay away from them and, mind my own business.

Yeah, I worry too and, thought of something to say, while shooting this animation.

Here's the Deal Grasshopper

Back there in the USA, trying to the next become president, are two worthless people.

One of them is a lying sack of crap and, the other is just a sack of crap.

Quit wiggling around and worrying, Grasshopper and listen to me when I'm talking.

Next month, we'll all know, which sack of crap is the election winner.

Get all your locust friends to crap in a sack, for me.

And, I'll see if I can find someone, to mail it to the next Grand Poobah of the USA !

Nature GIF of a Aokanahebi -- Takydromus smaragdinus

Green Grass Lizards Ain't Always Green

This animation was created using 6 images, taken out back, behind my office.

The reptile known as Aokanahebi (アオカナヘビ) is a Green Grass Lizard.

Scientists, would call it a Takydromus smaragdinus.

They Change Colors at Some Point in Life

In researching, I haven't come up with the answer but, will keep looking.

Digging back through my files, I can find some, with green spots on their backs.

A larger, green and yellow one of the same species, has been seen scampering around.

Natural Pest Control

Out in the free world, these guys eat bugs, that would annoy most people.

They run around in the garden and, climb trees searching for food.

Some crazy folks, collect the lizards and, stick them in aquariums, to live.

Then, they get online and ask questions like, "What do I feed them?"

The criminals, who sell them, will sell you lizard food, too.

Crazies and criminals, should try living in captivity and, see how much fun it is.

That's all I've got to say, for now.

Wet and Wild GIF of a Waterwheel

Shooting Fish Was Fun

 

 

The koi, swimming around in the pond yesterday was a bit of a challenge, for the camera.

It's kind of difficult, to catch their eyes; they wiggle around so much.

When I downloaded the camera, I must have had 150 images, of them, to throw away.

This scene, has plenty of activity and, water splashing around in it, too.

Only nine shots, were taken, to create this animation and, I saved them all.

 The camera, lens and exposure, for this composition are the same as those, used on the fish.

To me, this motion GIF, is much more relaxing and, it gave me an idea.

I'll kick my feet up on the desk, lean back with my head against the wall and, take a nap !

Visit やまびこ Restaurant in Hentona if, you get a chance.

Animated GIF: Chopper in Blue Skies

Unidentified Flying Helicopter

 

 

Usually, I go and research things photographed, after a day of shooting.

This bird looks similar, to some, I've been hauled around in but, I can't name it.

So, we'll leave that part up to the aerial stuff experts.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Sigma 50-500 with 1.4 converter for focal length of 700MM

Exposure:  f/11   1/400   ISO 100

Location:  Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  JUN 19  2016  5:20PM 

The photos used to create this GIF were taken while waiting for the moon to rise. 

Busy, packing bags for a trip to Zamami Island, I'll be going offline, for awhile. 

If, there's no blog post tomorrow, it just means, I'm having too much fun.

Er, I forgot to put a laptop in my backpack !

Travel Photo: An Animated Palm Tree in the Breeze

Senagajima Today

 

 

It's official; rainy season has ended and, Okinawa got blazing hot sunshine.

So, a trip was made to Senaga Island and, I shot a picture to show you.

Several but, the six used to create this GIF, is all I'll be posting for tonight. 

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 27MM

Exposure:  f/11   1/160   ISO 100

Location:  Senagajima, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: JUN 17  2016  1:13PM

Just a Couple of Gents (GIF) Eating Noodles

Last Stop at the Folklore Museum

 

 

Off to the left of these guys eating, is a collection of Zippo lighters in glass cases.

Entering the tatami room, I left my flip-flops outside the door and, excused myself.

A waitress, had just brought the two steaming bowls of Okinawa soba, to serve the men.

It's a pretty small dining area and, I had to step back to let the girl pass by me.

She asked if I wanted to place an order bit, I really wasn't hungry.

Speaking Japanese, I asked if it was alright, to take photos of the display.

The old fellows, didn't appear too happy, seeing a foreigner in the place.

But, seeing, I was being polite, respectful and, talking their language, must have helped.

Going back outside, I figured, "What the heck maybe, I'll get a photo of them eating."

They agreed, to let me shoot and, started flipping peace signs.

Then, I asked them, to just at natural and, go on eating the soba.

Click, click, click six times and, I thanked them while going back out the door.

A series of six images, were used, to create this animated GIF.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 30MM

Exposure:  f/5  1/250   ISO 800

 Location: さわのや 名護店 Nago City, Okinawa, Japan 

Date and Time:  JUN 10 2016  12:14PM

Ishigakechou (イシガケチョウ) Common Map Butterfly GIF

Found Throughout Okinawa and Asia

 

 

They are called Cyrestis thyodamas if, you prefer biological names.

Some folks have been asking me about GIF photos so, I dug this one out of last year's files.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 300MM and 1.4 converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/5.6   1/500   ISO 400

Location:  Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  OCT 28  2015  12:41PM

 Learn how easy it is to create these animations, at Google Photos Help.

Previous post about the Common Map Butterfly. 

GIF of the Week: L'il Red Tractor

Waiting for Moonrise

 

 

The nights I go out to shoot the full moon keep me busy for a few hours.

It's always best to get to the location early, while the sun is still shining.

While waiting for the sun to set and, moon to rise, there are always other things to photograph.

Birds, flowers, bugs and snakes can keep you occupied.

Just a few minutes before sundown along came this tractor, heading towards the bridge. 

From the hillside above, I quickly composed the scene, locked the tripod and, zoomed in.

It took about a dozen clicks of the shutter to get this animation.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 300mm

Exposure: f/4  1/125   ISO 400

Location: Okukubi River, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Related Post:  Images of First July 2015 Full Moon

This Cool Cat Showed Up on the Trail So I Shot a GIF of It

Not the Sort of Creature You See Everyday

 

 

There is probably some fancy name for this mongrel-looking cat.

It was spotted along the edge of a field as I was heading back to town today.

There was a 300mm lens on the camera.

The cat filled the frame, faster than I would have liked it to, composition wise.

About a dozen images were made before the cat turned and ran.

If anybody is missing a cat like this, I know where to find it again.

Er, do you think it's some kind of wild thing ?

Auto Awesome Animated the Red Helen Butterfly (Photo)

This animated image came from shots taken back in August of 2011.

If you have a Google+ account and upload photos, Auto Awesome does this for you.

Now, I don't know if the Awesomenator is a human or robot.

But, if you upload a bunch of similar photos, somebody makes the GIF for you.

Instead of fooling around, trying to create your own animations, you can let them do it.

And, get back outside with your camera, to do some more shooting !