Today on Kouri Jima Okinawa We Visited a Cave (Images)

It was a bit of a squeeze, getting in there.

But, there was lots of room inside.

Candles and small fires lit the place.

Not many people know about this annual event, that takes place on Kouri Jima.

So, I feel lucky to be invited.

 One of my friends was looking like, "What's gonna happen next?"

 Thanks to Map It Okinawa for taking this photo.

It shows, I knelt down in the cave like everybody else and got blessed.

Canon G12 on a Dog Walk Nabs a Butterfly (Images)

No Animals Harmed in this Series

 

The DSLR's are resting for a big event tomorrow and, I'm supposed to be, too.

When the wife and I took the dogs for a walk, I slipped the G12 in a cargo pocket.

She walks the little white rat, I take the huskies.

We were almost home when the missus spotted this butterfly.

These days, you can never be too careful.

Gizmo, checks things out.  Friend or, foe; we gotta know, before I start shooting.

All clear.  The subject is unarmed.

With the little Powershot, I pointed and shot from the west.

Then, snapped one to show you the road heading from east to west.

The butterfly is a Blue Triangle.

If I was smart, I'd stuff that Canon G12 in my cargo pocket, everyday !

Closing out the Month of April 2013: Too Many Things to Do

April has always been a hectic month for a cameraman in Okinawa.

This year it didn't get any easier.  It's not over, yet and, there's plenty more to do.

This morning, I ran down to the print shop early, trying to stay ahead of the game.

That's not a scrapbook, I'm making.  Just some prints I'll be delivering to people.

There's a Bit of Madness to My Method

 

Magazine editors and some of my best friends, don't always get it.

Sometimes, neither do I but, it seems to work.

When I hear of an event, about to take place, I research, all I can, about it.

Visit the village days, weeks or, months before and meet people.

That way, I'm not a stranger, in town, when it's time to use the cameras.

Most of the places I go, people are friendly.

But, they might not like some foreigner shoving model releases in their face.

So, what I like to do, is forget about all the paperwork and just shoot cameras.

Then, visit, a few weeks later, with some free photos to hand out.

Why Close Out the Month So Early ?

 

 

The next few days it's going to get real hectic around here.

There was supposed to be some sort of Pink Full Moon last night and, I missed it.

So, tonight, I'll be looking for the moon.

Sunday, we're going to another island for a ritual in a sea cave.

Monday,  will find me in the Orion Beer Brewery, shooting a camera.  No drinking.

And, while up that way, I'll see if I can catch that Ryukyu dog, again.

If I get a signed pet release on him, he may become a star !

Then, there's those adorable women from Henza Island, I have to catch-up with.

One, already signed a model release.  The other one will, too, I'm betting.

With all the things I have to do, it's best to close out April 2013 today.

Golden Week in Japan is all ready to kick-off !

Flower Photos: What the Heck Are These Things ?

They Look Like Xmas Decorations

 

For more than a few months, I've been meaning to identify these flowers.

So far, they don't seem to want to cooperate.

So, I just shot a bunch of them and will let someone else tell me.

They are bright red flowers hanging from some evergreen-looking stems.

 A few years ago, I couldn't tell you those white flowers were lilies but, I know now.

Here's a closer look for you to get a sense of scale.

The red rascals were growing along the road going up to Mt. Tachuu on Ie Jima, Okinawa.

Dodging traffic, I went up and down the road shooting from different angles.

When the wind and rain started coming after me, I left.

Pentax cameras and lenses are made for this kind of stuff, not me.

Does anyone know what those plants could be ?

I'm tired of fooling with them.

Give me an ID and you can have any or, all of those photos !

UPDATE: Best friend in the Land Down Under gave me the ID

Russelia equisetiformis

Firecracker Plant

 

Special Ryukyu Dog Photo: The Turaa Inu

Today I came across this beauty of a dog.

Why is this one so special ?

It's the first time I ever met one of the Turra variety.  That's local language for tiger.

I took a few photos and this is my favorite.

He's looking at me like he wants to chew my leg off.  Awesome.

One of these days, I'll go back and get more photos of him.

It's best to get down to ground level with the camera for dog photos, I think.

But, I better be real good friends with Turaa, before I try that.

Ryukyu Inu is the pedigree dog of Okinawa.  

Have you ever met one ?

You may also like:
 

Ryukyu Inu and Husky Mutts Meet at the Beach