Butterfly Photos: Possibly a Chinese Peacock (Papilio bianor)

The colors of this Swallowtail caught my attention.

It was spotted in the northern hills of Okinawa and it didn't like posing for the camera.

When it got attracted to that weed, I fired away in burst mode.

And, sent the photos over to that Auto Awesome dude on Google+.

A few resources, I used to help identify the critter:

Butterfly Corner

Butterflies of Japan

Gave me the Latin (Papilio bianor) and Japanese name:  Karasu-ageha (カラスアゲハ).

Wikimedia Commons

Got me thinking, this may  very well be a Chinese Peacock Butterfly.

Any butterfly experts out there want to confirm ?

Flower Photo: Bottlebrush Tree (Callistemon citrinus)

Native of Australia Found in Okinawa

 

 

This one was found just down the street and around the corner from my office.

My friend over at Eat The Weeds says you can make tea from this plant.

Over in California, they have an Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute.

Lots of information, over there but, they didn't mention tea.

So, I'm thinking of contacting a friend in the Land Down Under.

Just to find out what Australians do with these trees.

 

 It may take a while for an answer.

Meanwhile, check out Eat The Weeds website.

He's got stuff like, Can We Eat Grass ? over there.

He doesn't sound like some urban forest, city boy scientist.

Sounds as if he's some kind of survivalist dude, to me.

 

 

 

 

 

Iris Report Number 2 from Ogimi Okinawa

Wait A Few More Weeks

 

 

This blossom looks like it was applauding me for the effort.

Up in the Kijoka district of Ogimi it was windy, cloudy and cold this morning.

We spent a few minutes there and talked with a farmer about the plants.

The only people around the fields were those who work them and their children.

Full bloom won't happen for about two more weeks by our estimation.

Nature could fool us and start busting out with sunshine any minute now.

That's when I'll go back up north and get Iris Report Number 3 !

Directions and Information

Feeling Blue ? Here's Something You Could Do !

Hit the Road and Get Out of Town

 

 

Okinawa is a pretty small island.  Eventually, all roads lead to the ocean.

March weather can drive a body crazy.

It's officially Spring but, Mother Nature must not have gotten the word, yet.

On one of those cold mornings in March, I hit the beach before the sun did.

And, got to humming this tune.

But, I'm an optimist.  Things ain't really that bad.

We all know, the warm, springtime days are coming our way, soon enough.

So, it's time to start making some travel plans.

It's good to hear to someone else singing the blues in a song.

Before you know it, on a sunny day, a ship will come in.  And, you know who will jump on it.

Try it sometime or at least, take a bus and, get out of town.

Walking Talking Grey Heron (Photo)

Of course, you'll hear no sound.

We went shooting cameras today but didn't do flowers or, museums.

Outdoors, shooting wildlife is where I'd rather be and that's what happened.

Next, I'll leave the cameras and go see if there's any wild life in the city.