Spring Tulips in Yoyogi-Koen (Part 2)

I wasn't the only one enjoying the tulip garden on last Sunday's blustery weekend. A trio of longhair dachshunds were enjoying the afternoon sunshine while having their photo taken by their owers.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Spring Tulips in Yoyogi-Koen (Part 1)

The weather on Sunday evolved quickly. The morning was filled light spring showers. As the day wore on the wind brought clear skies with the sun, and the occasional wind gust. Anyway, I made out to take a few photos of the tulips in Yoyogi Park.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Spring Maple in Moto-Azabu

This morning, the family was my children's elementary school annual family flea market. I have been borrowing my co-worker's Nikon D800 and used it along with my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF to take photos of my son's taiko performance. None of the taiko photos struck me as exceptional, but this shot of a beautiful Japanese maple tree at the entrance to the school caught my fancy.

Nikon D800 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f1.4, ISO 500, 1/8 sec.

Spring Saturday at Arisugawa Miya Kinen Kōen

This past Saturday, my daughter and I spent a fine spring afternoon looking for tadpoles at Arisugawa Miya Kinen Kōen with one of her school friends. The previous weekend we had found hundreds if not thousands in a pond at Sarue Onshi Koen in a Koto-ku. Too bad for my daughter's friend, they were given away several days ago and we couldn't find any here. Anyway, the park and beautiful spring green leaves were a wonderful oasis in central Tokyo.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4.0, ISO 100, 1/20 sec.

Spring Tulips at Sarue Onshi Koen

After the drama with the sparrow, we entered Sarue Onshi Koen and were greeted by lovely spring tulips in full bloom.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/500 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Magnolia Denudata on a fine Spring Day in Yoyogi Koen

Several years ago (back in 2011) I previously posted about magnolia kobus spotted in Sagamihara in Kanagawa, and Roppongi and Azabu Juban in Tokyo. On this fine first Sunday after the vernal equinox, I spotted this majestic magnolia denudata in full flower being appreciated by several onlookers in Yoyogi Koen. Personally, I couldn't tell the difference between the two varieties, but luckily for me the park administrators labeled have this tree.

The sign has the appearance of a medieval torture device, but the coiled wire will slowly unwind as the tree grows.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/640 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/800 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/800 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/60 sec.

Spring afternoon at Ueno

The family took an impromptu visit to the Ueno Zoo on Sunday. Except for the high wind gusts, it was a picture perfect Sunday afternoon. Blue skies and mild spring temperatures in the high teens °C (or high 60's °F).

It's been an unusual year. The sakura were in full bloom around the 23rd of March. I have been living in the Tokyo and Kanagawa area for over ten years on and off since 1998, and I remember Hanami season starting so early.

There are a few cherry blossoms left at Ueno. The double blossoms on several trees (Prunus serrulata or 'Ito-kukuri') were in full bloom.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 170 mm, f4.5, ISO 200, 1/800 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 135 mm, f4.5, ISO 200, 1/800 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.5, ISO 200, 1/640 sec.

The blossoms on the cherry tree at the entrance to Ueno Park however was done and looked very green.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 200, 1/60 sec.

Spring is around the corner

It's the second week of March, and signs of spring are budding and sprouting in Tokyo. At the request of my daughter, the family spent part of the Saturday at Arisugawa park. The weather was perfect. Just the right amount of sun and warmth in March for an enjoyable day in the park.

Prince Arisugawa Taruhito statue looked a little bare, but he will be surrounded by cherry blossoms in several weeks.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/500 sec.

Signs of spring were blooming nearby in several planters placed near a fountain.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/320 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 200, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 200, 1/320 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 200, 1/640 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 640, 1/250 sec.