A DAY IN THE LIFE

Progreston Falls

2010-05-22T08:30:00.001+09:00

A beautiful waterfall, captured by Kim Kurtz one sunny day. To see these done as well as this is rare indeed.

Sakura Bokeh in Kyoto

2010-04-13T08:04:00.001+09:00

Here is a photo from my recent trip to Kyoto, Nikko and Ohara- all in the three days I allotted to it. Great weather and a happy atmosphere with the cherry blossoms was a great thing to be around.

For some reason this appeals to a lot of people, though the subject, with all the complex branches, is a hard one to get right. I think at least part of what they like is the excellent bokeh of the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 DI, which is some of the best of any lens I own. I only used it that day on my trip, though perhaps I'll be breaking it out more in future again. It's certainly light enough to carry with my other stuff- unlike my super-heavy 80-200mm, which takes great photos (including candids), but weights a tonne!

Also, did you know that in Japan, 'bokeh' is generally used for an out of focus photo (not just an intended area) and if used as a negative, as in 'I messed that, it's bokeh'. Interesting how it became adapted as a good thing.

Plelan le grand - l'étang de Tregu

2010-02-28T15:04:00.001+09:00

The incredible symmetry of a cloud-covered lake in French Brittany. Thanks to phil35m for this one.

Ancient Pokemon

2010-01-26T14:29:00.000+09:00

It's not often I reference other sites here, but I think this was quite a find- the Pokemon characters, lovingly portrayed in traditional Japanese print art, as if they really did exist in the way-back when... which, of course, they did, didn't they?

アサメグラフ　ポケモン百五十一鬼夜行絵巻

Harmony of Colours Returns

2009-05-12T23:21:00.001+09:00

A little taste of eternity in this vivid flower scene- a vivid world beyond our imagination there to be seen.

Another Star

2008-11-30T17:44:00.001+09:00

The incredible koyo have made their way to my area at last. This one was seen in my favourite temple of all- Tozenji, in kita-Kogane. The backlighting brings out their intense, jewel-like colours. I really need nothing else to see in my life!

Orange Crush

2008-11-14T11:24:00.001+09:00

An amazing piece of fractal art I found on Flickr. Mathematics can show us the beauty of the universe, as revealled in many lifeforms. It seems to always be there, as a potential- as images such as this show us, which bridge the divide between art and science..

Misty Lake at Dawn

2008-11-12T15:54:00.001+09:00

Each moment as the sun comes up has a different feeling to it. Here a mystery was being unveiled, as the trees and their reflections appeared by the swamp-like lake. The original photo was practically black and white because of the mist, but with Lightroom, I could bring out the details and colour. Cheating? Maybe, but it makes for a much more interesting photo.

Dawn Breaks 2

2008-11-11T09:52:00.002+09:00

The beauty of Dawn. Taken on Lake Inawashiro in the early hours of the moring, froma beach just outside the place we were staying.

It was a glorious sight that showed me again the great power a silent event can have- one that nature produces every day, but few can take the time to appreciate. So delicate, soft and enticing, yet speaking of such an awesome, cosmic power, one that can lighjt up whole worlds with a rich energy needed for trillions of life-forms. With all the practicality an incredible beautythat just makes your whole being stiulled with awe. In a word- WOW!

Sudden Beauty

2008-10-09T15:45:00.002+09:00

Form one moment to the next, who knows what may happen? Just as I was about to leave the temple, I decided to have a quick look at the graveyard. Suddenly, this butterfly alighted on the higanbana flower. A soul of the newly freed departed, perhaps?

This, by the way, was my 500th post here. A quick shout of appreciation to all those who have linked here and/or enjoyed the photos contained. In terms of hits, it is my most successful blog, due in no small part to being found daily through google images and sometimes Stumble Upon. I hope to reach out more and also give my other blogs the time they need, but other writing is currently taking precedence.

May A Day in the Life live long and prosper, with your help as much as mine!

Adios,

Starfire

Like Tears in the Rain

2008-08-27T13:03:00.001+09:00

Perhaps one of my best shots this summer came out of the blue- a seemingly crying statue summed up my feelings as the summer draws to a close.

Parked (Temporarily)

2008-08-27T13:02:00.001+09:00

I've always thought that everyday life provides some of the best opportunities for seeing art- this rain scene was like looking into a living gallery for me.

When Will the Rain stop?

2008-08-27T13:00:00.001+09:00

I gained new courage in the arts of street photography just from being in the group. I thought this girl's Ayumi Hamazaki look really shows the Shibuya spirit.

Flash of Red

2008-08-27T12:58:00.001+09:00

In Harajuku, I was lucky enpugh to go to my first 'Flickr Meet', arranged by Dave golden from California. Thanks, Dave, it was a great time!

Multiple Explosions

2008-08-27T12:55:00.001+09:00

More fantastic fireworks followed, to the delight of the thousands assembled there.

Waiting for the Fireworks to Start

2008-08-27T12:54:00.001+09:00

Another trip to the sea, fresh breezes cooling the summer air.

Yukata in the Sunset

2008-08-27T12:52:00.001+09:00

Another trip was to Kisarasu, for the fireworks there. Girls in beautiful summer yukatas were everywhere, in a tradition that lives on.

A Special Time

2008-08-27T12:41:00.001+09:00

In appreciation of the island's beauty, many monks made it there home. Here a mother and daughter rest in the shade of a temple garden, contemplating life's mysteries or deciding where to go for lunch- or even both- I'll leave it up to you!

Matsushima Sunset

2008-08-27T12:38:00.001+09:00

A glorious sunset ended the day in style.

Matsushima Bridge

2008-08-27T12:37:00.004+09:00

The tranquil beauty of a Matsushima bridge. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, I even went back a second day for more. The lush greenery and lapping ocean blend together so nicely and the fresh seafood is incredible.

Matsushima Trio

2008-08-27T12:37:00.003+09:00

I was even lucky enough to find some models in the evening there!

The Boat to Matsushima

2008-08-27T12:35:00.001+09:00

A trip to the nearby island of Matsushima took me into the refreshing seas. Here a seagull chases us, in hopes of food treats.

Tanabata Matsuri Decorations

2008-08-27T12:34:00.001+09:00

Lanterns and origamio decorated whole swarths of the city, like a fantasy-land come to life.

What's That, Grandpa?

2008-08-27T12:33:00.001+09:00

The wonder of Tanabata festival, which I went all the way to Sendai for. Tohoku festivals are an amazing sight.

Electric Lights

2008-08-03T13:20:00.001+09:00

We were dazzled, we were astonished- we were, in short, highly impressed.

Fractal Fireworks

2008-08-03T13:15:00.001+09:00

Seen afterwards on the camera screen, this explosion shows it's fractal design- somthing light an electrical fir-tree, dancing in the night sky, before winking out of our dimention for evermore.

Birth of a Galaxy

2008-08-03T13:12:00.001+09:00

The displays were just stunning, seemingly depicting the vivid life of the sosmos, right here before us. Gasps of astonishment cooed out with each colourful climax.

Summer Fireworks Explosions

2008-08-03T13:09:00.001+09:00

Summer brings another kind of flower to Japan- these 'fire-flowers' of the river-side fireworks displays. Finding the perfect spot seemed to be virtually impossible, but we did find a good one, from where we could enjoy the blazes of light and colour, as well as the magical atmosphere they bring along.

Sankeien Garden, Yokohama-38

2008-08-03T13:07:00.001+09:00

We had lunch in the shade of this garden- green and leafy, the perfect place in summer.

Sankeien Lotuses 1

2008-08-03T13:05:00.001+09:00

The harsh summer sun is too much for many flowers to endure, but these water lotuses were in full bloom, in Sankeien Garden, in Yokohama. Their delicate colours go well with the rich green.

Just the sight of them cools one down and the ancients must have had a lot of sense planting them there.

Yukata and Keitai

2008-08-03T13:02:00.003+09:00

It is great to bask in the dreams of a forgotten era, but modern life does bring it's conveniences too- you are never lost in a crowd these days, with mobile phones at hand. Keitai and kimono (actually it is really a yukata, lighter and easier to wear, so better for the summer heat), could be called convenience and kimono!

The girls looked beautiful wearing them

Kashiwa Festival Dancing 3

2008-08-03T13:00:00.001+09:00

So people danced the night away, to the beat of the taiko drummers.

Kashiwa Festival Crowds

2008-08-03T12:59:00.001+09:00

I had never seen Kashiwa so crowded- you could hardly move and the atmosphere was electric.

Kashiwa Festival Nebuta

2008-08-03T12:58:00.001+09:00

Nebuta Festivalesque floats were there to be seen. A taste of the magic of summer in the Northeast region of Japan came with them, much to the delight of the gathered crowds.

Kashiwa Festival Dancing 1

2008-08-03T12:56:00.001+09:00

Summer is a time for festivals in Japan, and this one was no exception. The wild dancing near the omikoshi, to the beat of taiko drums, had to be seen to be believed.

Tremendous Sunset 1

2008-08-03T12:54:00.001+09:00

Walking in the evening recently, this beautiful sight greeted my eyes. Like an endless, heavenly land spread out before me, I gazed at it in wonder and awe.

The Sunset at Yellowstone

2008-07-07T21:17:00.001+09:00

One of the amazing examples of HDR photography on Flickr, this one by Stuck in Customs. I only like them when the colours are believable and attractive, like these.

The presence of a lot of over-saturated mush out there gives the tonemapping technique a bad name, but things like this show just how deliciously subtle it can be in the right hands. As for HDR photos- we have yet to see one, though tommorows monitors may well have the required colour depth (16-48bit colour, whereas today the maximum is 6-10 bit).

Raindrops in spiderweb #1

2008-06-25T20:02:00.001+09:00

Yet another by 'Lord V', this time of a spiders-web, yet made so abstract by the composition. The gorgeous colours help no end to making this a masterpiece.

Blue and yellow dewdrop refraction

2008-06-25T19:56:00.001+09:00

Another beautiful piece by 'Lord V', with great harmonies and symmetries. That soft, endless background goes so well with the amazing detail in the waterdrops.

Dewdrop Refraction #4

2008-06-25T19:34:00.001+09:00

An incredible dewdrop photo I saw surfing Flickr. Worlds within worlds appear here.

Ethereal Droplets

2008-06-24T23:16:00.001+09:00

The flowers really look like hand-made creations, delicately painted by an artist. This was taken just after a fortunate, early-morning rain. The freshness and colour was unbelievable to see.

Visitor from Another World

2008-06-24T23:14:00.001+09:00

A crop of the above, where you can see all the miraculous detail of this tiny creature.

Harmony of Colours Returns 2

2008-06-15T11:33:00.003+09:00

Another macro moment, from the depths of flower-meditations.

Silent Hunter

2008-06-15T11:33:00.001+09:00

Looking closer at the little black blob, I was amazed to see this detail. Life is stranger and more exotic than we ever imagined!

Mysterious Cloud Landscape

2008-05-27T10:03:00.001+09:00

To my astonishment, flashes of distant lightening appeared from within this, like a giant, flickering plasma-ball. It was as if the cloud was alive in some way. Yet there was no sign of rain anywhere nearby.

The Face of Clouds

2008-05-27T10:01:00.001+09:00

Just after I came back, these incredible clouds shone in the sky. I'd never seen something so fluffy and mysterious before, they were a revelation of a world going far beyond my imaginings-

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Angel Fire

2008-05-14T21:54:00.001+09:00

If you ever wondered if nature was spiritual, or if some divine God-like force exists, this picture of heavenly light descending Earthwards through the gaps in clouds might settle your mind. Or will it?

Evening Glow

2008-05-14T21:52:00.001+09:00

The gorgeous pinks of sakura, illumined by a setting sun. Alone, they were pale white, but only after everyone but a few remained in the temple garden, did the falling sun reveal this splendour amongst us.

Rainbow Sakura

2008-05-14T21:50:00.001+09:00

One of my favourite shots of spring, the background is a hot-air balloon. Early in the morning , beautifully clear sunlight illuminated this scene.

Plum Bloosom Girl

2008-04-28T18:19:00.001+09:00

With the spring blossoms, also come beautiful girls in yukatas to celebrate them. This girl is holding some momo-nohana, or peach blossoms, that we saw near the balloons.

Cherry Blossom Snow

2008-04-28T18:17:00.002+09:00

Snow? No, falling cherry blossoms, in one of their last days, surrounding people like us having 'hanamis', cherry-blossom picnics. They have a magical quality and are one of the highlights of the year in Japan.

Fireworks Phantasy

2008-04-28T18:15:00.002+09:00

At night, they featured the balloons again, this time lighting their fires to the rythmn of music and fireworks. It was a fantastic and unique display!

Blue Balloon

2008-04-28T18:12:00.001+09:00

Another trip was to see some amazing hot-air balloons, as they passed near Tokyo on their Japan-wide race. They went quite well with the sakura.

Fallen in Light

2008-04-28T18:11:00.001+09:00

Even when the weather wan't so clear, there were other opportunities for views. This was on my first day, when I found the clouds to be quite dramatic.

Cap of Light

2008-04-28T18:09:00.001+09:00

I took the time off as an opportunity to visit Mt. Fuji, via Kawaguchiko Lake, where I stayed for about a week. The changing weather made it hard to see sights like this, 'aka-Fuji', when (s)he goes red in the rays of the falling sun.

Sitting in a lakeside cafe with friends for a couple of hours just to see this was well worth it. A sunset is an event like any other, with only the significance we choose to give it.

Soft Light

2008-04-28T18:06:00.001+09:00

The early morning gives a different, delicate light that only exists for fleeting moments, just like the ume (plum blossom) themselves. The whole experience is like a warming illustration of Zen teachings. Live in the moment, for the moment is all that there is...

Morning Light

2008-04-28T18:03:00.001+09:00

Sorry for not posting here for a while.. the blog may have been as dormant as Mt Fuji, but be assured that it is still alive!

Here is an example of the ume that flourished in March, just in time for the beginning of my Spring break and some enlightening, early-morning day-trips to Hondoiji.

Ice Rock Garden and Leaves HDR

2008-02-15T07:24:00.006+09:00

Here is a view of this natural sight again- when the stone in Hondoji's pond seemed like a Japanese rock garden, surrounded by pebble-like, textured ice. This magical memory of winter still gives me a good feeling, even now.

Otakonomori Station

2008-02-13T22:50:00.002+09:00

Black and White gives me a very different view of things. There is an air of cinema about an ordinary, modern train station, seen this way, a hint of love affairs and daily dramas that the bright colours conceal. Simplicity strips away the maya of everyday life. The emotion lingering in the 'living space' that is a train station, is more apparent when seen this way.

Kashiwa Light Painting 2

2008-02-13T22:38:00.004+09:00

Kashiwa is one of those 'cities that never sleep' and i tried to capture this with the liquid light of a swishing camera. Somehow neon with it's messages is just too literal and garish until you swish it around a bit. This is the kind of 'Impressionistic', sensual photo I am aiming for- perhaps with a long way to go before perfection, but escaping the domain of cliches.

Bonsai Exhibit in Tokyo

2008-02-09T11:05:00.003+09:00

Here's something you'll probably only ever see in Japan- a bonsai exhibition, being lovingly cared for after-hours by the attendants. This was taken in the Tokyo Metropolitan Arts Center, in Ueno park, Tokyo, just after seeing an exhibition there of articles from the French Louvre.

What I love about being in Japan is the chance of seeing something like this at any moment. Yet the real meaning- in which one of those bonsais is definitely superior and worthy of the top prize- is lost in translation on me. It is a mysterious world that I will never understand, but at the same time it is all enticingly familiar.

Drops

2008-02-08T21:49:00.002+09:00

Sometimes the simplest things are best- I spent ages looking at and trying to capture these strands of straw and the drops forming on them. It's a kind of 'tiny universe' all of it's own. Sometimes the simplest things are best- I spent ages looking at and trying to capture these strands of straw and the drops forming on them. It's a kind of 'tiny universe' all of it's own. Look through Flickr and you'll see the delicacy of water-drops are a popular subject. Like any beauty, they are momentary and stunning. In many cases, the photo may be all that remains of them.

Temple Snow Scene

2008-02-08T21:47:00.002+09:00

What I love about the snow is how it transforms everything. There is a sense of fantasy to the place, of fairyland come to life. The rich colours here are typical of the D300's photos, which loves a varied, contrasty scene. Later on, I'll post an HDR version.

Cabbage-Flower in the Snow

2008-02-08T21:45:00.001+09:00

This flower stood out from the snow, despite looking something like a cabbage. I suppose, seen another way, it resembles a rose!

Tears of Compassion

2008-02-08T21:44:00.001+09:00

This image may have a strong impact on the Buddhist faithful- the melting snow seems something like compassionate tears. I believe this represents Nichirin, a famous Japanese 'prophet-monk' who helped rescue the nation from a Mongol invasion by calling them back to faith and away from a merely formal or superstitious type of religion.

This was held to bring forth the divine winds or 'kamikaze', that suddenly rose up to push back the Mongol ships that were approaching. As such, though a seemingly divisive figure at the time, who at one point was actually banished to an island by the rulers, he is now widely loved and fondly remembered.

Cat-Prints

2008-02-08T21:37:00.001+09:00

I may have been the only human in the garden, but I definitely wasn't the first being to visit that day. These were cat-prints, left by one of the many logers there (for some reason, wild cats are to be found in Japanese temple gardens- maybe something to do with catching the temple mice before they eat the rice, from years gone past?)

Ice Rock Garden and Leaves

2008-02-08T21:34:00.002+09:00

I liked the scene so much, I tried to capture it from every-which angle.

Rock Garden on Ice

2008-02-08T21:26:00.001+09:00

... but this scene impressed me the most- the pond was transformed into what looked like a rock garden, the shadows of trees making a gravelluy appearence and the stones jutting out all the more clearly.

One Leaf in Snow

2008-02-08T21:25:00.001+09:00

The first thing I noticed was the snow on little details, like this leaf...

Hondoji Pathway

2008-02-08T21:18:00.001+09:00

Just yesterday I was lucky enough to have snow and also a day off, so I whizzed off to Hondoji temple, camera in hand. It was fairly early in the morning and I was the only one there, so I could tread the freshly-fallen snow in pure silence.

Droplet

2008-02-05T22:26:00.001+09:00

Small is beautiful- in this case, a frozen droplet of melting snow.

School Snow Fields

2008-02-05T11:47:00.001+09:00

My school looked especially different. The lull in sports made the place so much... quieter.

Narnia-Like

2008-02-05T11:46:00.001+09:00

Like something out of Narnia, this friendly, mythical dog-like being guards the shrine in the winter snows.

Snowy Guardian

2008-02-05T11:31:00.001+09:00

Just a couple of days ago it snowed here- something that only happens a few times a year, if at all. This was taken in Suwa Jinja, where everything was transformed by the white blankets.

Turkish Restaurant in Tokyo

2008-01-29T21:30:00.000+09:00

The interior was just like being in Turkey. Well, I've never actually been to Turkey, but this is how I imagine it! They even have a translating Turkish into Japanese and when I said how good the meal was in Turkish, they were so pleased they gave me a free tea. These photos were taken after that gift!

Cook in Turkish Restaurant in Tokyo

2008-01-29T21:21:00.000+09:00

Some say he looks like Mario, but this is a cook in a Turkish restaurant in Takadanobaba, in Tokyo. Delicious kebab plates, by the way.

New Year's Kimono

2008-01-28T21:20:00.000+09:00

Nothing can welcome in the new year like a kimono, a splash of colour on this evening.

Kimonos in Kashiwa

2008-01-28T14:40:00.000+09:00

One of my favourite "Kimonos in Kashiwa" photos. the colourful menu in the background is typical of Kashiwa, also known as 'little Shibuya' for it's funky styles. Somehow, the vividly coloured kimonos are the perfect match.

By the Crossing

2008-01-28T14:32:00.000+09:00

Coming of Age Day is only once a year, but a time when there is a sea of kimonos throughout Japan. I took this and other photos in Kashiwa City. Thanks to the girls for being such great models and their spirit of fun!

Shrimp and Cashew-nuts

2008-01-27T21:20:00.000+09:00

Where would a restaurant be without food? This shrip and cashew nut mixture was as delicious and fresh as it looks. Again, selective lighting helped my art, as did the D300's ability to capture these contrasts smoothly.

Yuko by the Blinds

2008-01-27T21:13:00.000+09:00

Recently we went on a short trip to Noda, to see the famous Shimizu park there. There wasn't much plant life around outside of the greenhouses, but it was nice to ring the huge temple bell and wander around what was a new place for us. We dropped off in a Chinese restaurant for lunch afterwards, where I loved the lighting through the blinds. The more I get into photography, the more light and colour take preference over form. This, for me, marks the true difference between a photo and a 'snap' taken to remember a certain place. My inspiration, you could say, is from the impressionists.

Washing Hands

2008-01-04T00:01:00.001+09:00

New years is a time for prayers for good fortune in Japan. Here a family wash their hands as they go into the shrine.

Warm Reflections

2007-12-28T13:14:00.001+09:00

Using the D300's vivid colour mode, I captured this sunset reflection on an ancient rock. The colours aren't really quite like this, at least seen with the human eye; but who ever said that what we see is any nearer to reality than our wildest fantasies?

Prayer

2007-12-28T13:11:00.001+09:00

One of the lightening-bolt-shaped prayer flags so common in shrines in Japan. Yes, I like simple and with the low aperture of the 35mm F/2 this is what you can get. What's your prayer for the new year?

Illumination 2

2007-12-28T13:10:00.001+09:00

Light falls in Suwa Ginja, just as we paused to speak to some other visitors there. No, it isn't coming from that lantern, but it may as well be!

Circle of Purification

2007-12-28T13:08:00.001+09:00

New life with a new lens! No sooner had I got my new 35mm F/2 AF lens, then I was in Suwa Ginga using it, along with someone I met on the train back. What you see here is a circle of purification, which you traverse in a ritual figure-8 pattern, much like the symbol for infinity, to get ready for the coming year. This is the only place I've seen one and fortunately not too far from my place- 10 minutes to be exact!

I love the place and also this new lens- which will probably spend a lot of time on my camera in the years to come.

A Cup, Simply

2007-12-26T21:31:00.001+09:00

I love to experiment with bokeh- here is one of my cup, from right where I'm sitting. I can get the contrast of sharp and smooth as well as light and dark and that creamy smoothness is always nice to look at. This was done with my 50mm F1.4, the basic creative lens that used to come with every good camera (though now people are addicted to zooms, alas.)

Just Imagine

2007-12-26T21:01:00.001+09:00

Something else I've been experimenting with on my new camera is black and white. I've never really gotten into this before, but being able to see the result on a clear viewfinder has made it so much more accessible. The simplicity of black and white appeals to me, just as does having only one thing in focus. Less can be more in this information-laden age.

The Last of Autumn

2007-12-26T19:14:00.001+09:00

I was late to catch the koyo (autumn leaves) with my new D300- but not too late. I love the colours blending out of focus in the macro lens- there are endless artistic possibilities here. I love to use my Tamron 90mm for just this reason- the creamy, soft bokeh.

Season's Greetings

2007-12-26T19:06:00.001+09:00

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!

relic

2007-12-15T00:07:00.001+09:00

Futureancient's shot with a Leica camera has an incredibly surreal bokeh. I think with all this emphasis on new technologies, autofocus and the like, we are in danger of forgetting such artistic qualities.

Emerald

2007-12-14T16:18:00.001+09:00

A photo by Dat the Man, on Flickr. The sheer shininess this conveys is what amazes me, like a small, pure world sitting there in the sun.

Red Jewels

2007-11-28T11:27:00.001+09:00

Autumn slowly arrives, with splashes on colour to be found here and there.

Patterns

2007-11-28T11:25:00.001+09:00

The endlessly shifting light of sunset is something like molten gold, on these leaves near my school grounds.

Gentlesea

2007-11-17T00:03:00.001+09:00

Sometimes it's the soft, magical things in life that impress the most.

Deep Reflections

2007-10-25T08:36:00.001+09:00

The impressive architecture in the newer parts of Yokohama, seen reflecting a rich sunset. We sometimes forget that with all it's confusion and emphasis on speed, the modern world also brings it's own serene beauty with it, as all the other worlds before it have done. This series was inspired by the scenes in Koyaanisquatsi, which I find a mesmerising film to see.

Citiscape 2

2007-10-25T08:31:00.001+09:00

Views of Yokohama from the Landmark Tower Skygarden. seeing the city splayed out it is like seeing an enormous creature, made up of moving parts- but when you realise that each one of the millions of people there has their own life, dreams and fears... then the mind really starts to boggle!

Into the Mists

2007-10-25T08:28:00.001+09:00

Another view of Kusatsu onsen- here is where the salts are extracted from the mountain waters, as has been done for centuries. An onsen is a deep experience, as the minerals soak into you and sooth.

Lights in Mist

2007-10-25T08:25:00.001+09:00

From recent trip to Kusatsu onsen. These mystical mists were deepened by the rainy weather. You really feel primal Japan in such a place.

Water Lot of Dogs!

2007-09-26T08:32:00.001+09:00

You don't get much cuter than a Portuguese Water Dog- except maybe ten of them at once!

This was taken at a demonstration of their talents for fetching things from the sea and surprisingly, a young 6-month old pup was the star of the show, beating all the others to the dive.