Autumn is here (Part 3) - Rikugi-en Again

Here is another beautiful maple from Rikugi-en that that was taken several weeks ago. The color was boosted in Nikon Capture NX2. Hopefully, I didn't overdo it.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f4.0, ISO 400, 1/320 sec.

Autumn is here (Part 2) - Ginkgo's in Arisugawa Memorial Park

Thanksgiving weekend we spent some time at Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park. I walked through the park on a lazy Friday afternoon and the returned again on Saturday with the family on the way to getting an ice cream at the Baskin-Robbins at National Azabu Market. We son had fun in the playground on a perfect autumn day .

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/500 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/3200 sec.

Autumn is here

Autumn is finally showing it's full colors. Two weeks ago, the the Ginkgo Matsuri at the Meiji Jingu Gaien kicked-off and will be celebrating the golden goodness along Ichou Namiki (いちょう並木 or Ginkgo Avenue) until 16 December. We've also been though Yasukuni Shrine and Kitanomaru Park or Kōen (北の丸公園).

This maple was from Rikugien Garden.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

This tree was spotted in Arisugawanomiya Park.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Sakabayashi or Sugidama

Have you ever seen a giant ball of cedar before? If you are in Japan, you'll probably see one and wonder what it is. It's a sakabayashi or sugidama and is usually found outside an establishment that sells quality sake (according to the Japan Times). This one that I spotted was located outside a restaurant along my walk from Tokyo Midtown to Nishi-Azabu crossing.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 80 mm, f4.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Kinuta Park Animal Festival

Last weekend, we spent the afternoon at Kinuta Park in Setagaya outside central Tokyo. The 32nd Annual Setagaya Animal Festival（or 第32回世田谷区動物フェスティバル) was held that afternoon in the park and the highlight of the day was the Hawk Flight Show. The WFC had many different kinds of hawks and owls on display (I still haven't figured out what the WFC acronym means). It was unfortunate that these majestic birds were tethered for the show. I've see other flight shows where the birds are allowed to fly and return freely, but this safety measure was probably taken due to the unfamiliar territory for the birds and the handlers.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f5.0, ISO 100, 1/640 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100,1/100 sec.

Outside the Sauna

On Halloween I was walking through Moto-Azabu to catch up with my children who started trick-or-treating without me, and I stopped to take this photo of Roppongi Hills outside the Chinese Embassy. The neon lights of the sauna across the street seemed to go compliment Roppongi Hills and the other street lights.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4, ISO 1600, 1/20 sec.

Stone Money

I always thought that I would have to go to Yap to see stone money. However, one of those large stone coins has been in residence in Hibiya Park since 1925!

The Planet Money blog on NPR has a great podcast regarding "the island of stone money". This American Life also has a great episode on the The Invention of Money.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/30 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/40 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Street Art in Shibuya

In August on my walk through Shibuya, I spotted some street art from 281_Anti nuke. These pieces seem to pop out of the graffiti, posters and stickers in busier parts of the city. The big difference is the subtle political message and frustration regarding the current state of apathy regarding the Fukushima disaster and politics in Japan. It's very Bansky-eske and difficult for me to ignore. I hope that this art can lead to open and constructive dialog between artists, political activists, environmentalists and ordinary people. There are some great articles on this art in the New Yorker and the Japan Times.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

Papillon in Yoyogi

There a quite a few varieties of butterflies in Japan. I've seen many of them fluttering through the parks and neighborhoods to Tokyo. This one paused for a moment on a cosmo for a closeup but I wasn't able to recognize the type.

Hmm... Black spots on orange wings. It appears that this butterfly is a Common Leopard (or Phalanta phalantha).

Too bad I did not have my 105mm Micro-Nikkormounted. I had to settle for a cropped shot from my trusty 85 instead.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/30 sec.

More from Green Island

Down under in July, the family took a speedy 1-hour Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise. At Green Island, I had hoped to go snorkeling with the children (we have a 7 and 9-year old).

My little girl, like many others, couldn't hold down her breakfast on the bumpy ride to the Great Barrier Reef. The morning attempt to snorkel from shore did not go well and we made our way back to the beach with children in tow as a storm rolled in. We turned in our gear expecting the rain to but an early end to our day. During the shower, we had a beautiful fish and chips lunch. Of course, the conditions the rain stopped, and the conditions improved. The visibility and ride in the glass bottom boat were exceptional, and we got to see some other braver souls snorkeling near the boat pier and launch.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Although I am one that believes that cropping should be done in camera whenever possible, here is the same shop cropped tighter for effect.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Pirate Cuisine or what does a pirate eat?

I was in Shibuya one weekend in early August, shopping with some friends. Ok, I was mostly tagging along to take photos. The only true shopping I did was in the Tokyo Hands department store, and I cannot remember what I may have been shopping for.

Anyway, I stumbled across this peculiar restaurant. It has a pirate them; however, I am mystified as to the connection with tapioca, crepes, tapas or pizza.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f8.0, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Summer is coming to a close, but I keep on thinking of spring...

Although the fall leaves will come to Tokyo as the summer heat fades, I have been thinking about the beautiful canopy of pink blossoms that fill Tokyo in the spring. I stumbled on this photo that I took in late March at Kougai Park (笄公園) near Hiro Station, and thought about the wonderful day my children had playing at this park.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 120 mm, f3.5, ISO 200, 1/800 sec.