Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so...
Why? Because I didn't notice until later that everyone in the photo was wearing masks. I am not quite Japanese yet though, as I still cannot imagine why they were wearing masks in the clean air and uncrowded environment of a spacious Zen temple in Kamakura on a Saturday morning... The man at the back is quite alone, watering a not open to public part of the garden with a hosepipe.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Overflowing rubbish bin outside the Moscone Centre(*), just as the AGU morning session was starting. My jetlagged and coffee addled brain thought it looked startling similar to a giant frappuccino
(* If it's a "rubbish bin" it may as well be a "centre" too.)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The best way to soothe the disquiet caused by the uncontrollable Japanese
[waxed plum (robai) blossom infront of some temple buildings, Hokaiji, Kamakura]
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
As James remarked not long ago, the blossom is early this year. This is ume (plumish/apricoty blossom). The orange in the background is Egaratenjin. IMO, this photo looks best on a bright monitor, such that the background glows.
Read more...Monday, January 17, 2011
Oh, it's beautiful after all!
There is not much in between Mitsutouge and Fuji-san, so on a clear day you might think you would get a great view. Fuji-san is certainly very big from Mitsutouge but the problem is that in winter the sun sits over Fuji-san at around noon, which is also when you reach the summit. This makes it impossible to get as clear a shot as one would like. On this amazingly clear day James gave it a go from part way up Mitsutouge. In summer of course, the air is much thicker, so the solution would seem to be to stay overnight at a hut on the summit, and do the sunrise thing...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Fuji-san
Continuing the theme of beautiful views of Fuji-san...
Note the 3 mini-Fujis in the foreground, and the big one in the background.
The lesser spotted mountain pylon and Fuji-san.
Ubiquitous beautiful architecture carefully designed to blend in with the dramatic scenery.
I've also started a Fuji-san set on flickr. Read more...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Some people don't like top 10 lists, and reviews of the year. Personally I really like being reminded about the year just gone.
So I have again made a set of my favourites from 2010 - here they are. The set from 2009 is here.
I think this was the best shot - quite annoying for this electronics fan that it was taken on a cheap film camera with an exposure meter that didn't work with the lens, which is a cheap manual focus job from the 1980s. No way this will help James realise the necessity of new toys...
Friday, January 7, 2011
Lion grins after snacking on little stoat
Finally, proof that a picture is worth a thousand words. Stoaty shamelessly misattributed my diligent and wide reading of the scientific literature to James The Delinquent, of all people. Word count on the comments to that post: 1108. Would have been nice if it had happened here, but, well, wot's a girl to do...
The Lion lives on Wakamiaooji in Kamakura. I took this photo because doing so entailed lying down in the middle of the road in broad daylight. This is only possible for the first 3 days in January when the road is closed to motor vehicles.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Claustrophobia anyone?
mmmm... you can't beat a cosy holiday crowd.
[Hachimangu, 3rd January 2011]
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
How to New Year Kamakura stylee
2. Join the throng to look at the sun.
3. Admire the watersportspeople. Are those Hello Kitty yachts?!
4. Head to the churches of mammon. This year St Arbucks and the one across the road, called Excelsior, were both open all day from midnight. I suppose exhaustion is a good enough excuse for forgetting to put the espresso shots into our lattes.
5. At Hachimangu creep past the "redcoats" holding "walk slowly" signs and head towards the stairs. At the base of the stairs gather behind a rope waiting for the "Just Moment".
6. When the rope is lifted, charge up the stairs to the shrine, where a bunny rabbit and a wooden arrow may be purchased. Read more...