The Ryukyu Flying Fox in Flight Under Blue Skies

 Supposed to Be Nocturnal

Many times you can spot them early in the morning or evening when it's not dark outside.

When I take a long hike, to view the sunrise over the ocean, sometimes I'm disappointed.

Clouds on the horizon blocked the sunrise this morning so I had to find a different subject.

It was about 7:30 AM when I decided to pack up and start the long walk home.

Usually, I'd have taken a few dozen photos of birds but, today nothing of interest appeared.

My backpack was lifted and slung over the shoulders and I was ready to fold the tripod.

All of a sudden this Pteropus dasymallus flew out of a tree right near me!

They're Fruit Bats

Nothing to panic over, these critters don't fly around biting people or their pets.

Fruit farmers get upset with them, for snatching their crops but, they are also helping.

They keep things growing by spreading the pollen of flowers from plant to plant.

They are relatively harmless to humans except for one thing I can think of.

Don't look up in the sky (with your mouth open) when they're flying overhead.

They could squirt something in your face and, I hear it doesn't taste good!

Previous Post: Endangered Bat

OCT 1 2020: The First Full Moon Over Okinawa

 

Another Full Moon Will Appear on Halloween

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 with 1.4 Converter Focal Length 700 MM

Date and Time: OCT 1 2020 7:04 PM

Location: Kin Town Okinawa Japan

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) Flying in Kin Town

 Some Fast Moving Birds

Not sure if they go by kilometers or miles per hour, all I know is they are speed demons.

These characters don't survive on a diet of fish. They eat bugs, crabs, and even little chicks.

Somewhere in California, one of these Terns lived to be over 20 years old.

Learn more about these birds at Cornell All About Birds.

Wordless Wednesday: Let Us Reflect

 

Endangered Species Images: The Yellow Pond Turtle

 

Active at Night and When It's Raining

This reptile was out running on the road as I was hurrying to find shelter from the rain.

Yesterday some sudden squalls drenched me and the dog when we were miles from home.

Knowing anyone driving in the storm, wouldn't notice a turtle on the highway, I rescued it.

The plastic bag I carry in my pocket (just in case somebody poops) was the perfect size.

Plenty of times, I come across turtles which have been crushed, on my morning hikes.

Not Really a Turtle Expert

At home, some research had to be done to help identify this critter.

From past experience, I knew a photo of the turtle's underside would come in handy.

Counting the black spots on this character's belly reminded me, I've seen this before.

That specimen was running around on a sunny day in a plowed field.

Some images were uploaded to iNaturalist and, I reported sighting a Yellow Pond Turtle.


Some experts over there confirmed my observation by giving it a Research Grade.


After being such a good model, I thought the turtle deserved some sort of reward.


So, I released it in some natural environment, distant from that dangerous road.


Far enough away that it probably won't have to breed with any immediate family members!

Just in case you didn't know the difference between amphibians and reptiles.