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 ?

Good - Bad - Ugly: Wild Bird Photography

Good

It's good, when you can catch a Grey Heron in flight, with a wooded background.

They are some nicely colored birds and, put on a great display of feathers.

Catching the Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) feeding is good, too.

When the light, hits them just right, you get cool, contrasting colors.

Getting a Black-faced Spoonbill to pose, is better than good, it's great !

These birds are an endangered species and, migrate here for the winter months.

Bad

The bad part is waiting for these birds, to move into the right position, for a decent photo.

It takes patience, moving around and sometimes, cropping the image to make it presentable.

It's pretty bad, when careless individuals throw their trash in the water.

Here's a picture of a bird known as a teal and, a Family Mart drink container. Groan.

Don't run off yet, I saved the worst part for last. This photo was taken during high tide.

So, only the stuff that floats on the water, would make bird photography challenging.

Ugly

For about the past four years, I have visited this location and, not much has changed.

It's best to visit during high tide or, shoot the birds when, they're in the air.

Otherwise, you may capture a scene like this one. Call it a wildlife and garbage picture.

Once, a magazine in Europe was willing to publish my first impression of this wetland.

But, I decided it wouldn't be such a nice thing, for a travel writer, to do.

The mission of a travel writer should be, to make people want to visit here, not avoid the place.

And, I don't want the folks, living around here to get upset with me. Shucks.

Recently, I discovered this is a historical landmark. Google Maps, asked for a review.

So, I told them, what I thought and, let the bird watchers know, when it's best to visit.

It's the Triangle Pond of the Rice (与根の三角池) for those Japanese history buffs.

Regular tourists or nature lovers, might not show much interest in going here.

Who cares ?

Watch the Pool Sharks

Late Night Entertainment

This animation was photographed in October of 2016 at a favorite hangout in Kin Town.

The last time I shot any pool was probably in the early 1970's.

Maybe, I've picked up a cue stick and drunk, off the floor a few times since then.

But, I sort of lost interest in playing the game. It's more fun watching, I guess.

Here's a clip from 1915 for your entertainment. I'm thinking about grabbing some beers.

Late Lunch for Wordless Wednesday

Finally Somebody Came Along with a Lifetime Warranty Umbrella

Windjammer® Is the Name of This Model

There must be half a dozen broken, twisted umbrellas, I've been saving.

We get some pretty wicked rain and winds in Okinawa and, I don't like getting wet.

When a typhoon comes along and wrecks my umbrella, it ruins my attitude.

But, I keep the busted things in a collection, for future use, as models.

Don't you think, that would be an interesting subject ?

A bunch of different colored umbrellas, all mangled together, supporting each other.

Next I Want to Become a Test Pilot

I got this idea, when the rain stopped, just about the time, I wanted some.

They claim, this gadget has been tested in some sort of win tunnel.

People in Portland, Oregon are the designers for this rain gear.

And, they are like experts on rain because, it rains a lot over there, I'm told.

So, I plan on writing to, whoever the Windjam Dude might be and, make him an offer.

Typhoon season will be on our island shortly so, we have to hurry a bit.

Here's the deal, Mr. Windjam - A free test pilot is volunteering.

A few of my friends are crazy enough to video, me walking in the rain during a storm.

If, these umbrellas can handle it, we could sell plenty of them for you.

62" Is a Huge Umbrella

This model is large enough to shelter three, normal-sized people and probably, more.

Suppose a bunch of young ladies, decided to accompany me, for whatever reason.

That way, you wouldn't have to worry about, me getting carried away by a typhoon.

We would all squeeze and hang on tightly together, for safety.

Waiting Patiently

Until the rain starts pouring down and high winds come along, I'll be patiently waiting. 

Let me know if, you're interested in selling these umbrellas to my friends.

Or, was that just a joke, the part about the lifetime warranty ?

Checkout the ShedRain Website