A chip off the old block
Kairakuen park was looking absolutely beautiful this morning. After an overcast start the sun appeared and lit up the autumnal colors. I took these photos of the Tarou Cedar which is about 800 years old. Next to it is a natural spring which pumps out 100 tons of water per day! Elsewhere, a delicate sapling caught my eye as did the maple leaves and a thatched gate way.
-So lucky to have this within walking distance of home.
Mono-crowm
Great to be able to grab my (phone) camera and record this crow taking off as I started my morning walk today. It had been perching on a fence and naturally took flight (and fright) as I approached.
Processing the photo prompted me to collect other favorites from 2023 and post them here:
www.flickr.com/people/wilpercy/
第８回水戸黄門漫遊マラソン
On Sunday I spent several hours taking photographs of the 8th Mito Komon Manyu Marathon.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wilpercy/albums
Runners lap Lake Senba.
Fireworks!
Last night, after a four year hiatus due to Covid 19, Mito’s summer festive season kicked off with the welcome return of the Lake Senba fireworks display. 5,000 fireworks lit up the city skyline during a 60 minute display. The weather was hot and clear as it has been for some weeks. We watched from our balcony avoiding the crowds who thronged lake side viewing spots or paid to sit at tables and chairs set up for the occasion. Thank you. It was great!
And next weekend we have the Komon Parade to look forward to.
第56回茨城県ダンススポーツ競技大会
A few weeks ago I was walking near the Lily Arena in Aoyagi Park to the west of Mito city centre. Quite by chance, and having heard music through the open doors of the sports hall, I went in to see what was going on. It was the 56th Ibaraki Dance Sports contest. I stayed for about four hours admiring the grace and skill of the couples, their colorful costumes and enthusiasm. I took a lot of photos but as I wasn’t an official photographer and don’t have explicit permission to publish images I must protect the identity of the dancers. If anyone objects to appearing in this way, or would like to contact me about getting copies please use the link in the footer below.
I hope to attend the association’s next event in Migawa on September 17th.
Update: Yesterday’s event in Migawa was cancelled or postponed or something. Anyway there were no dancers when I turned up at 9.30. What a shame.
A blistering day.
The sun sets in our part of the world. It felt like a summer’s day, as if the rainy season was already over. I hope it isn’t. It has barely begun and the rice harvest depends on it.
Pumps and fountains
More fun with the Spectre app on the edge of Lake Senba. Mito is set for 34C today. I got my walk in early.
Japanese Rat snake
They live for an average of 15 years, can grow to 180cms, hunt small rodents and, given the opportunity will take bird’s eggs. They may bite if threatened but are not poisonous. I met one on a recent walk and was struck by the beauty of its coloring and the ease with which it swam to the other side of the River Sakasa.