Tag Archives: flowers

End of Summer

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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.

Rain Lilies

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In our garden several varieties of rain lilies (Zephyranthes, ゼフィランサス) bloom from early June through September. I enjoy looking at them each morning, but I had not fully appreciated their beauty until I watched them in the rain.

In addition to the sound of rain hitting my umbrella, I used the most appropriate rain music I could find, “Rains Will Fall” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).

White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ)

White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ)
White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ)
White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ)
White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ) in Takano, Ritto City
White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ)
White rain lily (Zephyranthes candida, タマスダレ)

Rosy rain lily (Zephyranthes rosea, ゼフィランサス・ロゼア)

Rosy rain lily (Zephyranthes rosea, ゼフィランサス・ロゼア)
Rosy rain lily (Zephyranthes rosea, ゼフィランサス・ロゼア)
Rosy rain lily (Zephyranthes rosea, ゼフィランサス・ロゼア)
Rosy rain lily (Zephyranthes rosea, ゼフィランサス・ロゼア)
Rosy rain lily (Zephyranthes rosea, ゼフィランサス・ロゼア)

Yellow rain lily (Zephyranthes flavissima,
ゼフィランサス・フラビッシマ)

Yellow rain lilies (Zephyranthes flavissima, ゼフィランサス・フラビッシマ)
Yellow rain lily (Zephyranthes flavissima, ゼフィランサス・フラビッシマ)
Yellow rain lilies (Zephyranthes flavissima, ゼフィランサス・フラビッシマ)
Yellow rain lily (Zephyranthes flavissima, ゼフィランサス・フラビッシマ)

Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ)

Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ)
Pink rain lily (ゼフィランサス・ロゼア) in Takano, Ritto City. Light from a hand-held FL-600R flash was diffused with a Roundflash Dish.
ZPink rain lilies (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ)
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ)
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ)
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ) with eight petals (instead of the normal six) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ) in Takano, Ritto City
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ) in Takano, Ritto City
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ) in Takano, Ritto City
Pink rain lily (Zephyranthes carinata, サフランモドキ) in Takano, Ritto City

Notes

The video clip and most photos were shot with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera and two Olympus M. Zuiko lenses: 60mm f/2.8 macro and 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO. The video includes music from “Rains Will Fall” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com (license: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-By) 3.0).

All postprocessing was done on a Fedora GNU/Linux workstation. I edited the video clips and added titles with with Kdenlive, but I did not modify the colors or add any enhancements. Photos were organized and edited with digiKam.

Flowering Weeds in Early Spring

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In March and April the Japanese countryside comes to life as weeds appear along fields and streams, anywhere with soil. Some of these plants are known for medicinal properties, and some are gathered as food. Most are ignored or cut down.

This year I’m trying to learn the names of flowering weeds as they appear in nearby fields and along the Yasugawa riverbank in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. This photo gallery includes some of the flowers I’ve seen from the beginning of March until mid-April, 2018.

Veronica persica flowers (Persian speedwell, bird’s-eye speedwell, オオイヌノフグリ) in Hayashi, RItto City
Veronica persica flowers (Persian speedwell, bird’s-eye speedwell, オオイヌノフグリ) in Hayashi, RItto City
Henbit dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule, ホトケノザ) flowers in Hayashi, Ritto City
Henbit dead-nettle flowers (Lamium amplexicaule, ホトケノザ) in Takano, Ritto City
Rapeseed flowers (菜の花) in Deba, Ritto City
Ground gold course along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Stellaria media (chickweed, コハコベ), small white wildflowers forming ground cover in Hayashi, Ritto City
Stellaria media (chickweed, コハコベ), small white wildflowers forming ground cover in Hayashi, Ritto City
Arabidopsis thaliana (wall cress, mouse-ear cress, シロイヌナズナ), tiny white wildflowers forming ground cover in Hayashi, Ritto City. This species is a model organism in plant biology. https://cellfate.wordpress.com/arabidopsis-thaliana/ https://www.arabidopsis.org/
Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s-purse, ナズナ), tiny white flowers along the canal in Hayashi, Ritto City
Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s-purse, ナズナ) along the canal in Hayashi, Ritto City
Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s-purse, ナズナ) along the canal in Hayashi, Ritto City
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale, セイヨウタンポポ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Japanese dandelion flower head (Taraxacum japonicum, カンサイタンポポ, 関西蒲公英) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Japanese dandelion seed head (Taraxacum japonicum, カンサイタンポポ, 関西蒲公英) in Tsuji, Ritto City
White-flowering Japanese dandelion (Taraxacum albidum, 白花蒲公英、シロバナタンポポ) at Deba Nakagami Shrine in Ritto City
Youngia japonica (Oriental false hawksbeard, オニタビラコ) in Takano, Ritto City
Sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus, ノゲシ) on the bank of the pond in Hayashi, Ritto City
Japanese mazus flowers (Mazus pumilus,トキワハゼ) in Hayashi, Ritto City
Nuttallanthus canadensis flowers (blue toadflax, マツバウンラン) in Hayashi, Ritto City
Cinquefoil flower (Potentilla hebiichigo, ヘビイチゴ [?]) in Hayashi, Ritto City
White Japanese violets (Viola japonica f. albida, シロバナツクシコスミレ, 白花筑紫小菫 [?]) at Takano Park in Ritto City (滋賀県 栗東市 高野公園)
Manchurian violets (Viola mandshurica, スミレ) in Deba, Ritto City
Lesser trefoil [yellow suckling clover] (Trifolium dubium, コメツブツメクサ) at Takano Park in Ritto City (滋賀県 栗東市 高野公園)
Trigonotis peduncularis flowers (cucumber herb, キュウリグサ, 胡瓜草, タビラコ) in Hayashi, Ritto City,
Trigonotis peduncularis flowers (cucumber herb, キュウリグサ, 胡瓜草, タビラコ) in Hayashi, Ritto City,
Daisy fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus, Philadelphia fleabane, ハルジオン) in Hayashi, Ritto City
White clover flowers (Trifolium repens, シロツメクサ) in Tsuji, Ritto City
Valerianella locusta flowers (corn salad, ノジシャ, 野萵苣) along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Valerianella locusta flowers (corn salad, ノジシャ, 野萵苣) along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City
Valerianella locusta flowers (corn salad, ノジシャ, 野萵苣) along Yasugawa in Deba, Ritto City

Many of the flowers are tiny! Most of these photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk. II camera and a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens, which I showed on Twitter.

Aging Camellia Flowers

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On February 2, 2018, I was looking at a hedge of camellias behind the Ritto City Library (Shiga Prefecture, Japan). Some of the flowers were wilting. As I began to photograph individual flowers, I realized that the aging camellia flowers showed a lot individuality, each displaying a unique shape, texture, and color pattern.

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellias (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Of course, most photos of camellias (ツバキ) show young flowers. Perhaps we become programmed to think of beauty as something fresh and flawless.

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library
Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

I’m sure many people see aging camellia flowers as ugly, but I wonder if that’s because they don’t look closely at each one as an individual. If we set aside our assumptions about beauty as youthful perfection, we can appreciate details that give character to each old flower.

Camellias (ツバキ)

Camellias (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Water lilies in mid-September

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In the middle of September some Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン) and other aquatic plants are blooming at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森). Many of the flowers look a bit tired and wilted, but a few continue to stun visitors with their beauty.

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン) and other aquatic plants

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン) and other aquatic plants 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) and Victoria cruziana (パラグアイオニバス)

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン) and huge Victoria cruziana (Santa Cruz water lily, パラグアイオニバス) leaves at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン)

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)

Water lily (Nymphaea, スイレン)

Water lily (Nymphaea, スイレン) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン)

Water lilies (Nymphaea, スイレン) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)

Water lily (Nymphaea, スイレン)

Water lily (Nymphaea, スイレン) at the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森)

Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森

I feel very fortunate to live near the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Gardens (草津市立水生植物公園みずの森).

From my home it is only a 25-minute drive. Since I am over 65 and a local resident, it costs only ￥150 to see such beauty in a well-maintained environment.