Kin Town Thermal Power Station Images

Monday Morning Camera Stroll

More than eight photos were downloaded today but they weren't power plant photos.

The original plan was to shoot some bird photos with 70 -700 MM of glass.

That smokestack at the power station is sort of a landmark in town so, I shot it.

For wildlife, the lens would be stretched all the way out to 700 MM.

But, scenes like the power plant smokestack, required more of a wide angle.

It's been a long time since I've taken a long walk with a heavy lens and tripod.

So, I left the office well before sunup, to take advantage of the cool air.

My first shot of the power plant was taken at 5:59 AM.

Not far past the Kin Town Library was the location used in this composition.

At that hour, lighting wasn't terrific so, ISO had to be bumped up to 1600.

Just when you think the weather couldn't be better, it gets worse!

But, we have a saying in Okinawa. If, you don't like the weather, wait for 5 minutes.

It always changes. Another thing you could do is drive over to the other side of the island.

It was 6:34 AM when this scene was captured.

At 6:36 AM I had to zoom in to catch this Cattle Egret flying towards the smokestack.

More images of these birds (close up) will be posted at a later date.

By 7:22 the sun was higher in the sky and, I got the urge to do this.

Put some banana trees in the foreground, to show the smokestack isn't in the city.

At 8:03 this composition was made showing some pine trees in the foreground.

We don't get Autumn coloring in the landscape around here.

Just some of the pines turn reddish from Pine Beetles. A year-round event.

A bypass, under construction, posed in this photo for me.  It was 8:29 AM.

Hopefully, the construction will be completed this year and, I can walk across the top of it.

That would give a great view of the bird locations and the sea at Blue Beach below.

This photo was taken at 8:39 while hiking uphill alongside the bypass being fabricated.

Knowing the sun would be blazing hot after 9 AM, I was headed back into town.

The image at the top of this page turned out to be one of my favorite.

That was composed at 8:50 and, half an hour later, I would reach the office.

Which photo would you select if, you had to select one as a landmark for Kin Town?

Wordless Wednesday: Torii at Sacred Site in Okinawa

Suzume (スズメ) the Tree Sparrow Doing Pizza Crust

Feathered Friends Don't Go Hungry

Not out in the wilderness chasing wildlife, I've spent plenty of time at home this summer.

It's so hot and humid no one wanders far from air conditioning for more than a few minutes.

A place called Gate 1 (ゲートワン) nearby, serves various types of pizza.

When I get the urge to eat some pizza, it's worth a few minutes walking in the hot sun.

A pizza takes them about 20 minutes, to bake and box up for customers.

I don't mind sitting in their air-conditioned waiting area waiting for my order.

A large pizza is enough for two meals, around this house and nothing goes to waste.

At Gate #2, to my residence, a flock of these Tree Sparrows congregates.

Leftover pizza crust and bread crumbs are provided for the birds, daily.

When I have 700 MM of a lens, the camera, and tripod handy, I shoot them.

Soon things should start cooling off on this island and, I'll get back to hiking in nature.

What do you do with pizza crust in your neck of the woods?

RELATED POST - Animation: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Summer 2018 - Final Full Moon

This Hot Summer Will End Soon

All my furry friends should stop complaining about the hottest summer on record.

Next month, it could get even warmer for all we know.

For sure, about the third week, it won't be summer anymore.

In the wee hours of the morning, I went out to check on the moon.

Surprisingly no rain came pouring down so, I decided to attempt moonset photography.

Here's what I saw at 4:46 AM.

As long as the weather kept cooperating I would keep walking and shooting.

The plan was to get closer to the ocean for moonset and catch the light over water.

It's 5:01 AM and the ocean isn't visible yet. I walk slowly in the dark.

At 5:20 AM  the sea is visible below me but, I wait for the moon to get lower.

The first three images were taken at a focal length of 700 MM.

Get Ready Furry Ones

We're standing on level ground, several meters above sea level, using a tripod.

Below lies Red Beach Pier with Ishikawa (Uruma) in the background.

Here's my final full moon photo for the summer of 2018.

It's 5:36 n the morning and I've been awake for 3 hours. Go home and get breakfast.

My furry friends should quit complaining or, do like I did once. Shave!

August 2018 Full Moon - End of Okinawa Obon

Moonlight for Ancestral Spirits Journey 

Okinawa's Obon season is planned around events of the Lunar calendar. 

It is believed the full moon is the best time for departed spirits to return to the heavens.

Eisa bands played in the distance when I noticed the moon appear from behind clouds.

My camera was equipped with a 15-30 MM lens as I planned festival photography.

The odds of seeing the moon, during this stormy period, were not good.

That helped me make the decision to hike and get a longer lens.

Walking quickly to the office, I kept my eye on the clouds and moon.

A big lens and tripod would be required to take this shot.

At 7:50 PM, in front of my office, I peered through 700 MM of a lens and snapped this photo.

Then, swapped the lens for a 15-30 MM and went searching for Eisa.

Far in the distance, a few times, I heard the drums but, wasn't going to walk far.

Occasional rain showers kept me ducking in and out of doorways.

By midnight I gave up and headed home. Eisa drums could be heard in the distance.

As late as 1 PM they were dancing out there somewhere. I got my moon shot.

I was glad. I went to bed.