I need a new summer hat

In mid-July, the abundance of summer straw hats seems to have peaked in Harajuku. They are on most everyone's heads and their large numbers correspond to with large number of cicada (or "semi") throughout Japan. Too top it off, I'm so sad that I've lost my wide brimmed hat while traveling in Shikoku recently. Perhaps I should get a straw hat?

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Summer is almost over... or Buzz Off

The cicada or "semi" in Japanese are still out making plenty of noise. Their summer singing is one of the unique things I will always remember about being in Japan.  Their songs are almost deafening in the middle of summer even in a small Tokyo park. However, as the temperatures drop, their songs start to fade. This semi was spotted by my wife while we were in Rinshi No Mori Park in Meguro.

Anyway, I wish I had my macro lens with me, but it wasn't to be.

There's a really good post on cicadas in Japan at the Tsukublog - What's the Buzz About.