...the water lily
Sunday, summertime. Really humid summer. That's Tokyo. The temperature is up too, everyday reaching the high 30s (celsius), for days on end. It wasn't always like this...but that's a tale for another day.
The last few weekends, I've been keen to get the Musashino no Michi project back underway, but lack a little confidence in how far I might get, in this weather. And when it is a Queenslander saying the heat and humidity might hold me back...well, that's how uncomfortably hot it gets here.
Anyway, despite the heat, I decided on this particular Sunday to make my way to the nearby Shakujii Koen, where I have spent a bit of time over the years, because I heard there are lotus flowers and water lilies in parts of the park. Tokyo's go to place for lotus flowers in full bloom is Ueno of course, but I figured that might be a bit crowded, on a Sunday (any day really). So, a short trip on the bus instead.
There weren't many people about which was a bit of a surprise (but not, at the same time), and those who were around were packing large cameras with even zoomier lenses than my trusty 300mm. Aha, I thought, all here for the flowers...
But no, about two dozen people were huddled around on a bend in the walkway, all pointed to the bushes. Youngsters were dashing here and there as messengers between groups--'it's a blue!' 'They've found a tiger' 'Over by the bridge, quick'--along with phones pinging, sending and receiving text messages.
So what was it?
Turns out, it was a big day for dragonflies, of all shapes and sizes.
The flowers weren't as bloomy as I had hoped but I caught a few of those elusive little dragons.
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| capturing some light |
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| a little reflection |
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| trying to keep cool |
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| wilting ajisai |
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| apparently everyone wanted this one... |
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| seeking shelter |
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| a rare-ish butterfly dragonfly |
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| potential |
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| shade |
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| timing not quite right |
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| plenty of dragons |
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| trying to be cool |
So although it didn't go quite to plan, photography excursions rarely do, there were some nice shots and I imagined all my fellow snappers were looking over their day's haul that evening too, a cook drink on hand and a slight breeze through the open window.
Canon EOS 90D, 100-300mm. Sunday, 16 July 2023.
Please don't pinch the pics, all you have to do is ask...nicely.
