Bright Red Lilies in a Rock Garden (8 Photos)

Almost in My Backyard

 

These brilliant red lilies started opening a few days ago, right behind my office.

Normally, I wouldn't hop somebody's fence to get into their rock garden.

But, nobody was home so, I did.

 It reminds me, I have to get some information on the Lily Festival going this month.

That's over on Ie Jima, an island not far from Okinawa.

They have something like a million white lilies on display every year.

 Have you ever seen a red lily before ?

They must have a different scientific name for these plants, than those white Easter Lilies.

For these first three photos, I just handheld the Canon G12

Playing around with the manual settings, I shot a few different compositions.

There Was Still Nobody Home

 

So, I decided to put the Canon away and bring out the Pentax and tripod.

It looks a lot more professional and people probably won't think you're a thief.

There is just one lily plant in the whole rock garden, as far as I can tell.

I monkeyed around with some settings and compositions.

But, had to keep looking over my shoulder, to make sure nobody was coming.

Really, I'm no expert at shooting flowers so, I make all kinds of shots.

When it comes to jumping fences though, I do alright.

Did I ever mention that time I escaped.......... ?

Never-mind.  You don't want to know.

As soon as I figured I had enough bright red lily photos, I jumped back over the fence.

Then, put the cameras away and went back with a broom.

There were flip-flop tracks in the dirt.  I had to get rid of all the evidence.

Wouldn't it be fun, having me as a neighbor ?

The Critters of UNESCO World Heritage Shuri Castle Pond

This Part of the Castle is Free

 

Today, the mission was supposed to be take pictures of a building on the pond.

The wildlife lens got left behind because, no critters were going to be shot.

Walking to the site Doc Graff and I  spotted these animals.

And he knows what that means.  Castle buildings can wait.

Because, I can be like a little kid in a candy store when there are critters around.

This turtle looked like he was trying to hitch a ride. That's what I'd tell the kids, anyway.

Moving around the pond, we saw all kinds and colors of fish.

The big ones are carp.  The little guys and turtles seemed to get along fine with them.

Nobody would pose so, plenty of digital film was used to capture these shots.

Who cares about UNESCO stuff, when these beauties are putting on a show ?

Not me.

The golden one was my favorite.

When I realized, about an hour later, we had to get moving, we ran across these ducks.

Some gals were feeding them.

Look at those little rascals.  

Click, Click, Click.  There was no sense passing this opportunity up.

Waiting for one to separate from the herd was the hardest part.

Just in case the boss thinks I wasn't at the Shuri Castle Pond, I took this photo.

Now I know, it can be called Ryutan Pond or, Iyugumui and, they made it in 1427.

Another thing.  I took five or six photos of the building, I was supposed to shoot.

  Got over 300 pictures of critters, though.

If you visit Shuri Castle you shouldn't miss this pond.

Everything there was FREE !

Travel Photo Senagajima Windsurfers Okinawa, Japan

Just off the coast of Senagajima these brave souls were windsurfing.

April 7, 2013 late afternoon

Camera: Pentax KD10

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 120mm

Travel Photo: Gara Stone Bridge in Uruma City Okinawa, Japan

Gara Bridge may be one of the oldest bridges in Okinawa, Japan.

It is Uruma City Cultural Asset #17  "Architecture" according to a sign posted nearby.

Originally, it was a wooden bridge built for the safety of children going to school.

That was back in the days when an Emperor of Japan sat on the throne.

Fearing  a good downpour could wash the structure away, it was redesigned, as you see it today.

Five meters high, five meters long and two meters wide, this bridge was built in 1928.

Architects like this stone arch bridge.

That's because, they say, the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Note to locals: Map It Okinawa will have to show you how to find this gem.

Meanwhile, I'll be bugging  Uruma City to see where all the rest of their cultural assets are hidden.

Demon Fighting on a Rainy Day in Okinawa (Photos)

Old People: Don't Try This at Home

 

It all started when someone shared this through StumbleUpon.

School girls in Japan are making these awesome photos.

They get these whacky ideas from watching the manga movies Dragon Ball.

Being a photographer, you have to keep-up with the latest.

Not just in buying camera gear.  You have to keep up with new Photography trends to stay competitive.

A rainy day, in Okinawa, is just what was needed to wrestle with this demon.

The demon: Figure out how those kids do Makankousappou"魔貫光殺法" stuff.

It's best , before going to the local high school with a bright idea, to experiment, I figure.

To convince the girls gym teacher, this would be a neat idea to try....

I better act like I know what I'm talking about.

So, I closed all the doors and windows in my office. Didn't want to scare any by-passers.

Then, I practiced fighting demons.

It would probably be a good idea to stretch and warmup before doing this.

Those imaginary demons can do a number on you. But, I ain't scared a nuthin' !

Confront them with all your might.

Take a little breather, if you really need to and, get back in the fight.

Before long, I will have this art mastered.  It just takes practice.

They are all out of here, for now.

But, if those demons return tomorrow, I'll be ready.  

I just hope the wife can find my tube of Bengay.