Flight of the Osprey

Fast Moving Bird

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM 1.4  Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure: f/5.6  1/3200   ISO 3200

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 5 2016  2:24 PM

A Mystery for Wordless Wednesday

Full Moon NOV 2016 Over Okinawa

Called a Supermoon

It may have appeared a bit brighter than usual but, the size looks the same from here.

Those astronomy dudes, tricked us, is what I'm thinking. I've seen bigger moons.

This one was supposed to be the largest full moon since 1948.

Last night, up in an observation tower, waiting for the moon, were two elderly gals.

They were getting ready, to give up, waiting for the thing to bust through the clouds.

Seeing, a bit of orange glow, off to the east, I told them, wait five minutes.

We got chatting and, I mentioned, this large size moon, hasn't been seen, in over 60 years.

So, they should, hang in there. The last time we had a supermoon, like this was 1948.

That's the year, I was born.  They cackled. That's why they were up there, too.

One was older than me, the other was a bit younger. Now, I have some new friends.

I hope they are happily married because, I never want to get caught, again.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens Pentax 300MM with 1.4 converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure: f/16  1/13   ISO 100

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: NOV 15 2016 7:06 PM

12 Images of Okinawa's Sailing Sabani Boats

Itoman City Mayor's Cup Race

The event took place NOV 13th at Bibi Beach in Itoman, Okinawa, Japan.

Ryukyu Life dictates, I must spend a few days getting a feel for things.

Two days and nights of, having too much fun, can wear a cameraman out.  I loved it !

In no particular order other than, how they came out of the camera, here are some of the boats.

One of the things, I enjoy most, about the Ryukyu Islands is November weather.

This scene, depicts the rugged working conditions, I never complain about.

Two cameras and three lenses, accompanied me on this trip, along with a sturdy tripod.

Wide angle shots were planned, for catching many boats in scenes.

But, I wanted the ability, to photograph, Ken Uehara, during the races, also.

He is sort of a living legend and, over the years, has become a good friend of mine.

Five years, my senior, Ken stands out on the jetty, to wave a red flag, starting each race.

And, he makes me sit next to him, as an honored guest, during evening celebrations.

At times, sabani boats move faster, with the sail lowered, using paddle power.

Offered a ride on a safety/escort boat, I declined. I'm not that crazy.

A tripod, works much better, when your feet are on the ground.

It took some maneuvering around but, I could capture photos, in the light I liked best.

An escort boat's mission, is primarily for the safety of the boat teams.

Riding aboard one of them, would often require, shooting towards the sun.

For me, catching some of the boat crew's faces, was more important.

Off in the distance, the Kerama Islands, can be seen on the horizon.

The orange buoy marks the finish of the races.

Over the course of two days and nights, I must have taken 2,000 photos.

Hopefully, each team got their photos taken and, I can give them some pictures.

Now, I'm sort of an old guy and, got stuck, shooting a team of girls. Yuk.

But, when I do an event like this, I try to get all the teams.

Well, in the photo at the top of this page, those girls came in 1st place.

The little darlings.... Now, I love them all !

Animation: Crow Convention

7 Image GIF

These flying scavengers aren't my favorite wildlife subjects. 

It wasn't a great raptor day so, I shot them, before calling it quits for the day.

The internet has been buzzing with all kinds of nonsense about the US elections.

It pleases me, to announce, I don't vote because, I think all politicians, do the same thing.

They make promises, spend tax dollars and, line their pockets with your money.

People complaining and rioting, after an election doesn't make ant sense, to me.

This weekend, I'll be out with sailing sabani boat people, all Japanese.

Should anyone ask me, what I think about the US election, there's no telling, what I might say.

Maybe, something like, "Erection? I haven't had one in years!"

It will be fun, getting away from all the bad news, I've been hearing, on the internet.

A laptop, will go with me, for downloading cameras but, I'm not sure I'll be able to go online.

If you don't see any blogs posted over the weekend, that means, I'm doing something else.

My sunburned body should be back in town Monday and, I'll post some images, then.

Enjoy the weekend !

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM with 1.4 converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/5.6  1/2000   ISO 800

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 11  2016  5:00 PM