Wordless Wednesday: No Stairway to Heaven

Camera Position 

Scene from Abushibare - Cultural Ritual in Yaka, Kin, Okinawa

Noro Prepares for Prayers on a Beach

Abushibare is a springtime ritual held in some locations throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

Like many special events held in Okinawa, this one coincided with the full moon.

Up and around with the camera for some moon photography, yesterday was a long, hard day.

By the time I finished taking photos of the setting moon, I had to hurry to this event.

It was about a two-hour hike for me and, I happened to be the first one on the beach.

Several times I have witnessed the rituals performed at a small shrine.

That part, I skipped in order to catch my breath and rest in the shade adjoining the beach.

To give you an idea what the whole ceremony looks like, here's a 2017 slideshow:

May 2019 Full Moon Over Okinawa

Big and Bright Moon Setting

This image shows the moon as it was going down over Ishikawa, Okinawa, Japan.

It was at 99.9% full and would disappear below the horizon before 6 AM.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM with 1.4 convertor for focal length of 420MM

Exposure: f/11   1/3sec   ISO 100

Date and Time: May 19 2019 5:27 AM

2019 Hydrangea Report #1 from Motobu Okinawa

A Dozen Images Were Shot Today

This morning a visit was paid to Yohena Hydrangea Garden.

The flowers we were hoping to see blooming are known as Ajisai locally.

The rainy season got a late start this year so, the Hydrangea blossoms aren't ready yet. 

In no particular order, other than the way, they came out of the camera, here you go.

Chasing the best available lighting, I composed images of many flowers.

Volunteers can give you the names of these pretty things. I'm too tired to research.

Before the sun came up today, I was out walking and, covered lots of territory. 

They say you need to walk at least 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy.

Well, I got over that and, am trying to walk 20,000 steps each day.

It was supposed to rain today so, I wore a water-resistant jacket.

The sun came out as we climbed the hills and, I looked back to capture the views.

That's when it dawned on me, I left my jacket and iPhone (step counter) in the car.

Well, I already had 16,000 or more steps on the counter so, no need to worry.

It may have added another 1,000 or, two to the contraption, climbing those hills.

If, you're wondering what these pink flower thingies are, send them to a botanist.

They can probably give you an answer, quicker than, I can.

From past experiences, I pretty sure this is a Hydrangea. The blue thing.

The blossoms were scarce. When the time is right those hills will be crawling with the flowers.

They come in colors like pink, white and blue. Maybe purple, too.

These yellow rascals seemed to be doing quite well and, I should know their name.

But, somebody in your crowd probably can identify the beauties so, why should I.

Huh?

Way down in the lower corner of this photo is the red-tiled roof of Yohena's house.

Here's documentation of blue sky (in the rainy season) we're supposed to be having.

Climbing hills and bending your body are good for you when you're 17 years of age.

Today I discovered, I'm not 17 anymore.

We must have walked every inch of Yohena Gardens today and seen every hill.

Sometimes, I think we even got onto somebody else's property, up in the hills.

The Hydrangea flowers might have been disappointing but, the nature walk was great!

The woman who planted (some 10,000 or so) Hydrangea in those hills, went to heaven.

She lived to be around 100 and won many awards for her gardens.

Her son, let me know, the full bloom period should be around May 25-Mid June this year.

Leaving the gardens, I couldn't help but, shoot one more scene with the tiled-roof house.

That's where Mrs. Yohena would always be happy to greet guests to her gardens.

Of course, we promised to return, when the flowers are in full bloom.

This purple specimen is another one I'll have to pass on sharing the identification.

In the parking lot, I spotted this beauty, which reminded me of a gal I used to know.

Shucks, I forgot her name too! 

Important Information: Yohena Hydrangea Garden Website

Wordless Wednesday: Mid February Was for the Birds