...to the moon and back
With a summer breeze on the balcony.
Still quite hot in Tokyo but there is a pleasant breeze on the balcony this evening so that is something. There was a cicada on the balcony earlier this evening, so summer is everywhere.
Time enough though to get the big cam out for tonight's moon though, a clear sky and a 400mm angle.
I know we all like the full moon shots, but the moon in its many phases is just as intriguing.
Hope you like them.
Canon EOS 90D, 100-400mm.
...water lilies or lotus flowers
...whereupon the winner was...a brilliant red dragonfly. I spotted it at the lotus pond at the Tokyo Daibutsu, our local temple. I went in search of lotus flowers in full bloom, but it looks like I was a few days late. The lotus is significant for this particular Buddha, with a lotus sculpture in front of the statue.
So, while I was late for the flowers (there was one) they had also reached that rather lovely stage (I think) where the petals had fallen and the centres are more prominent.
But the unexpected catch was the 'scarlet dragonfly', (ショウジョウ（猩猩）蜻蛉）which just happened to appear before me. Gorgeous. Not to be mistaken with the more famous 'akatonbo', which is a little less red, and more a sign of autumn.
At the local botanical gardens, I happened to be chatting to one of the volunteers there, and that's how I found out the name of this particular species. I didn't realise, that in the traditional Japanese myths and legends, Japan was once known as the land of the dragonfly. After the last couple of weeks, I'm not surprised.
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| My fave little inspiration |
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| Just thinking, thinking |
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| All angles |
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| A real catch |
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| Look, is it even a photo trip if there isn't a duck? |
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| ...or two |
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| The Daibutsu, and his lotus |
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| Just the one |
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| Moving on to the next stage |
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| Also, cicada season |
Anyway, another lovely walk around my local area, it is still a bit to resume the Musashino no Michi walks, but I will, soon.
Today's cam, the Lumix G-99D, 14-140mm lens.
...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.