The last days of summer 2018 in Shiga Prefecture have been mostly cloudy, with quite a bit of rain and very little sunshine. Whenever it was not raining too hard, I went out with a camera most days September 11-19, 2018.
September 11 – insects in a garden, Yasugawa, nearby fields
Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in a neighbor’s garden attract many butterflies, moths, bees, and other insects.
Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon, キアゲハ) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon, キアゲハ) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum, ホウジャク) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum, ホウジャク) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Pellucid hawk moth (Cephonodes hylas, オオスカシバ) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Pellucid hawk moth (Cephonodes hylas, オオスカシバ) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Yasugawa has been running high but not at flood levels.
Yasugawa weir seen from Ichimiyake, Yasu City
Oriental turtle-dove (Streptopelia orientalis, キジバト) at Yasugawa in Ichimiyake, Yasu City
Late in the afternoon local farmers were hurrying to harvest their rice before rain the following day.
Rice harvest in Tsuji, Ritto City
Rice harvest in Tsuji, Ritto City
September 14 – Takano
As soon as the rain stopped in mid afternoon, I walked to Takano Park, just a few minutes from my house. Along the way neighbors’ flowers caught my attention.
Small morning glory flower in Takano, Ritto City
Small morning glory [?] flower in Takano, Ritto City
Orange flower in front of a house in Takano, Ritto City
Orange rose in Takano, Ritto City
In Takano Park a few small creatures appeared after the rain.
Walker’s cicada (Meimuna opalifera, ツクツクボウシ) at Takano Park in Ritto City
Japanese tree frog (Hyla japonica, ニホンアマガエル, 日本雨蛙) at Takano Park in Ritto City
Japanese tree frog (Hyla japonica, ニホンアマガエル, 日本雨蛙) at Takano Park in Ritto City
Snail (Euhadra subnimbosa, セトウチマイマイ?) at Takano Park in Ritto City
September 15 – Yasugawa riverbank, fields in Deba
Scilla scilloides flowers(Barnardia japonica, ツルボ) have begun to bloom along the Yasugawa riverbank. Other flowers grow nearby.
Scarab beetle (Eucetonia pilifera, ハナムグリ) on Scilla scilloides (Barnardia japonica, Japanese jacinth, ツルボ) flowers along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Scarab beetle (Eucetonia pilifera, ハナムグリ) on Scilla scilloides (Barnardia japonica, Japanese jacinth, ツルボ) flowers along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Shoulder-striped clover moth (Heliothis maritima, ツメクサガ) on Scilla scilloides (Barnardia japonica, Japanese jacinth, ツルボ) flowers along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on Scilla scilloides (Barnardia japonica, Japanese jacinth, ツルボ) flowers along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Small blue flower along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Great Mormon butterfly (Papilio memnon thunbergii, ナガサキアゲハ) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Great Mormon butterfly (Papilio memnon thunbergii, ナガサキアゲハ) on Physostegia virginiana flowers (obedience, ハナトラノオ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Great egrets and grey herons hunt for fish nearby in the river. Most days a few of these large birds can be seen in nearby fields.
Great egret (ダイサギ) at Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Grey heron (アオサギ) at Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Great egrets (ダイサギ) and grey herons (アオサギ) in Deba, Ritto City
September 16 – Yasugawa riverbank
In late afternoon I was able to take only a few photos along the river before I got rained out.
Scilla scilloides (Barnardia japonica, Japanese jacinth, ツルボ) flowers along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Red spider lily (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Great egret (ダイサギ) at Yasugawa in Moriyama City
Female Indian fritillary butterfly (Argyreus hyperbius, ツマグロヒョウモン) along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Female Indian fritillary butterfly (Argyreus hyperbius, ツマグロヒョウモン) along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
September 17 – Mizunomori Aquatic Botanical Garden
Kusatsu City Mizunomori Aquatic Botanical Garden (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森) is one of my favorite places. It’s a short drive from my home and usually not too crowded.
On September 17th a large display of Canna flowers stood near the entrance in front of the fountain.
Canna flowers at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Canna flower ‘South Pacifc Scarlet’ at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Canna flower ‘Tropical White’ at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Canna flower ‘Tropicanna’ at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Canna flower ‘South Pacific Rose’ at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
A large number of water lilies are in ponds,
Upper water lily pond at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Upper water lily pond at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
an outdoor tank,
Water lily “Perry’s Double White” in the retangular outdoor tank at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Water lily ‘Fabiola’ in the retangular outdoor tank at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Water lilies ‘Peach Glow’ in the retangular outdoor tank at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Water lilies ‘Larroque’ in the retangular outdoor tank at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
and the Atrium.
Water lily (スイレン) in the Atrium at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Water lilies (スイレン) in the Atrium at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Water lily (スイレン) in the Atrium at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Water lily (スイレン) in the Atrium at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Quite a few flowers were blooming in various outdoor locations.
Tradescantia pallida flower ‘Purple Heart’ (ムラサキゴテン) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Vinca flower ‘Apricot’ at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Pentas ‘Pink’ flowers (ペンタス ピンク) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Ageratum flowers (‘Bluemink’ A. houstonianum?) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Spider flowers (Cleome hassleriana) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Giant Hibiscus ‘titanbicus’ were blooming near the entrance.
Pink Hibiscus ‘Titanbicus’ flowers at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Pink Hibiscus ‘Titanbicus’ flowers at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Pink Hibiscus ‘Titanbicus’ flower at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
Pink Hibiscus ‘Titanbicus’ flower at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)
September 18 – Yasu City
The sun appeared now and then as I rode my mountain bike across the river to Yasu City and up Oyamakawa to Sakura Ryokuchi Park. Along the way I stopped to photograph red spider lilies along rice paddies.
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Mikami, Yasu City, Mikamiyama in the background
White spider lilies (Lycoris albiflora, シロバナマンジュシャゲ) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon, キアゲハ) on Allium tuberosum flowers (garlic chives, ニラ, 韮) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on Allium tuberosum flowers (garlic chives, ニラ, 韮) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on Allium tuberosum flowers (garlic chives, ニラ, 韮) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Asian comma butterfly (Polygonia c-aureum, キタテハ) on Allium tuberosum flowers (garlic chives, ニラ, 韮) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Asian comma butterfly (Polygonia c-aureum, キタテハ) on Allium tuberosum flowers (garlic chives, ニラ, 韮) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Shoulder-striped clover moth (Heliothis maritima, ツメクサガ) on Allium tuberosum flowers (garlic chives, ニラ, 韮) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Eastern pale clouded yellow butterfly (Colias erate poliographys, モンキチョウ) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Common copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas, ベニシジミ) on a Physostegia virginiana flower (obedience, ハナトラノオ) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Chinese bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorus, キキョウ) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Chinese bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorus, キキョウ) behind Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Minamizakura, Yasu City
Asian swallowtail butterfly (Papilio xuthus, アゲハチョウ) on Abelia (アベリア) flowers at Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Kitazakura, Yasu City
Asian swallowtail butterfly (Papilio xuthus, アゲハチョウ) on Abelia (アベリア) flowers at Sakura Ryokuchi Park in Kitazakura, Yasu City
Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon, キアゲハ) on a zinnia flower along Shiga Prefecture Route 325 in Kitazakura, Yasu City
Eastern pale clouded yellow butterfly (Colias erate poliographys,モンキチョウ) on a zinnia flower along Shiga Prefecture Route 325 in Kitazakura, Yasu City
Asian swallowtail butterfly (Papilio xuthus, アゲハチョウ) on a zinnia flower along Shiga Prefecture Route 325 in Kitazakura, Yasu City
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Mikami, Yasu City
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Mikami, Yasu City, Mikamiyama in the background
September 19 – Rokujizo and Misono
Sunshine! I rode my mountain bike south from my home in Ritto City, first nearby to Rokujizo, where we can see several varieties of flowers in the neighborhood and along Hayamagawa.
Morning glory in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Short-tailed blue butterfly (Cupido argiades, ツバメシジミ) on Lespedeza japonica flowers (Japanese bush clover [?], アスカノハギ) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Short-tailed blue butterfly (Cupido argiades, ツバメシジミ) on Lespedeza japonica flowers (Japanese bush clover [?], アスカノハギ) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Lespedeza japonica flowers (Japanese bush clover [?], アスカノハギ) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Zinnia flower in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Pink sorrel (Oxalis articulata, イモカタバミ) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Pink sorrel (Oxalis articulata, イモカタバミ) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Hosta (ギボウシ) flowers (Hosta longissima, ミズギボウシ [?]) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Hosta (ギボウシ) flowers (Hosta longissima, ミズギボウシ [?]) in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon, キアゲハ) on a zinnia flower in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon, キアゲハ) on a zinnia flower in Rokujizo, Ritto City
Up the valley in Misono red spider lilies bloom along the terraced fields.
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Misono, Ritto City
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Misono, Ritto City
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Misono, Ritto City
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Misono, Ritto City
Red spider lilies (lycoris radiata, 彼岸花) in Misono, Ritto City
In Kamitoyama I saw some globe amaranth flowers in a small garden. As I was admiring the flowers, a painted lady butterfly appeared.
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on globe amaranth flowers (Gomphrena globosa, 千日紅, センニチコウ) in Kamitoyama, Ritto City
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on globe amaranth flowers (Gomphrena globosa, 千日紅, センニチコウ) in Kamitoyama, Ritto City
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on globe amaranth flowers (Gomphrena globosa, 千日紅, センニチコウ) in Kamitoyama, Ritto City
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui, ヒメアカタテハ) on globe amaranth flowers (Gomphrena globosa, 千日紅, センニチコウ) in Kamitoyama, Ritto City
I often see a grey heron at Konzegawa in Misono on my way home. The bird ignores me when I pass along the bike path. If I stop nearby, it flies.
Grey heron (アオサギ) at Konzegawa in Misono, Ritto City
Grey heron (アオサギ) at Konzegawa in Misono, Ritto City
Grey heron (アオサギ) in flight over Kamitoyama, Ritto City, seen from the Konzegawa bicycle path
In late summer and early fall rural Japan changes dramatically. Various flowers bloom, colorful butterflies and moths become very active when the weather permits, and fields become empty as farmers harvest their rice. Sometimes it seems gloomy, but even when the sky is dark, there is always something to see if we take time to look closely.
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I happened to come to your website, and I am realizing how lucky I was! Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos! I also live in Shiga with my family. We love wild flowers, birds and sceneries. Are those Kikyo flowers in your photo wild? If so, they are very rare these days.
Well, thanks for posting the beauty of Shiga. Please enjoy the autumn season!
Thanks for your kind words! The kikyo flowers are along a little canal beside a farmer’s garden in Yasu City. I have seen only a few this year. Now the scenery is changing and the days become cooler in autumn.