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.

Kiyomizu Kannon-Do in Ueno

The Kiyomizu Kannon-Do temple in Ueno modeled after the famous Kiyomizu Dera in Kyoto.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

This dragon was guarding the water basin at the entrance to the temple.

Nikon D600with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

History Garage

In Odaiba, there is a car museum run by Toyota called the History Garage. I visited recently with my kids, who were not as interested in looking at a bunch of old cars, especially if you couldn't sit in them or ride in them.

One of the more interesting vehicles was the Toyota Sports 800. The prototype for this car, the Toyota Publica Sports is on prominent display at the entrance to the museum (or perhaps it is near the exit, I may have gone the wrong way around). According to Wikipedia, the car's engine output was 21 kW (or 28 hp)! I'm sure this sounded more impressive in 1962 (although a 1962 Corvette was rated between 250 hp (190 kW) and 360 hp (270 kW) from an 327 cu in (5.4 L) small-block V8). At least the car sold for significantly less, about $1,652 USD in 1965 according to the Yotahachi North American Resource Page.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 125, 1/30 sec.

This is the 1965 production version, sometimes affectionately called the Yota-Hachi (ヨタハチ). The kanji on the license plate is a little unusual too. It actually has Tokyo (東京）. I'm not sure if this is how plates were issued back in the 1960's. Current, Tokyo plates are now issued with the local municipality, Adachi (足立), Hachiōji (八王子), Tama (多摩), Nerima (練馬) or Shinagawa (品川).

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 20 mm, f4.0, ISO 400, 1/6 sec.

I just do eyes

The character Hannibal Chew in Blade Runner has a great line... "I just do eyes, ju-, ju-, just eyes... just genetic design, just eyes."

It seemed that this couple likes eyes too! I spotted them and their eyes in Harajuku on my first day out with my shiny new D600at the end of May.

Nikon D600with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

The glowing eyes on this Hello Kitty are very creepy!

Nikon D600with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/30 sec.

Koi in a glass bubble

After a delicious late morning pancake breakfast in Nakameguro, I was walking back to my car when I spotted this interesting koi (goldfish) wind chime. I'm not sure it actually can chime, but I liked it none the less. Anyway, I shot it with my positively ancient Nikkor 24 mm f2.0 AI (Nikon produced the AI version from 1977-1981). Other than the flare, it seems that the lens was performing remarkably well. The sharpness and contrast look great, and the bokeh wasn't as bad as some have complained about. It amazing that this lens performs so well in spite of the fact that it was designed over 35-years ago for film cameras!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ 5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

The raw shot was a little too wide and the flare on the top right was a little annoying, so I cropped it.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ 5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Reflections and Clouds at Roppongi Midtown

I don't usually highlight photos of modern architecture on my blog, but I did like this reflection of clouds on the monolithic Tokyo Midtown Tower. It was a peaceful, but fleeting moment. Clouds never hang aroung for long.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f8, ISO 400, 1/100 sec.