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.