Encouraged by my small success the day before, I returned to Senaga Island the following morning. Yesterday I had taken silhouette shots against the backlight, but this time I planned to capture the blue sea and airplanes in the morning front light.
I timed my visit for around 9 a.m., before the shops at “Umikaji Terrace” opened and while the roads and parking lot were still empty. Regardless of human schedules, the sky and sea were a vivid blue from the very start of the day!
Here’s another shot using a vertical composition and a longer focal length.
I don’t know anything about airplanes, but it looks like the JAL plane on top and the ANA plane on the bottom are the same model, right? An Airbus? (I really have no idea).
At this time of day, the tide shouldn’t be particularly low, but I thought the exposed rocks in the shallows along the island’s west coast made for an interesting view. I went down close to the water, sat on the seawall, and took a photo incorporating the runway and the planes.
Well, I was just looking back on how much I’d enjoyed photographing planes at Senaga Is. yesterday and today when, suddenly an unexpected aircraft appeared, allowing me to snap one extra shot.
I’m not entirely sure, but judging by the paint scheme, this appears to be the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s CH-47J “Chinook” heavy-lift helicopter. Since Naha Airport is shared by the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces as well as civilian airlines, scenes like this are a common sight. That said, this Chinook looked like it was about to land on the runway but then flew away again—I wonder what it was doing. Could it have been a special treat for the amateur photographers here? (Probably not.)
Before the rainy season begins, Okinawa is still quite comfortable—the temperatures aren’t too high—but only if you stay in the shade. It was around 10 a.m. on the morning of the Umikaji Terrace opening, and being exposed to direct sunlight for even a short while was already quite intense.
That said, thanks to that strong light, you can definitely take some “Instagram-worthy” photos on the white terrace.
I guess I can’t really complain even if it’s a little hot.
And so, that was the morning part of our Senaga Island field trip.
