Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 155mm — ¹/200 sec, f/9, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pleasant Sidestreet in Kyoto

We took a meandering drive today to see some blossoms, and then a nice ride up into Kyoto's northern mountains. Some of the areas we visited were so beautiful it just hurt, because I wanted to capture the beauty and I knew there was no way I could. So, instead, I took a few pictures, and just tried to enjoy it.

We drove along waterways for a long time, up the Kamo river, then the Takano River, then across to the Kamo river (the 2nd “Kamo river” being written differently than the first). The whole way was lined with cherry blossoms in full bloom, and was just splendid.

Then we found a little out-of-the-way area along a small waterway called the Shirakawa Canal (which ostensibly is part of the Shirakawa River, which runs by our house, but I don't think it's actually connected). This area was just amazing, both for its abundance of cherry trees, and for its lack of abundance of people.

All the pictures on this post are from one tiny part of that area, which runs for well over a mile through mostly quite neighborhoods in north-eastern Kyoto. (Note to Nils: this is pretty close to you; check out the map link under one of the pictures, and pay the area a visit with your camera!)

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 23mm — ¹/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Cloudy and Snowy When We Arrived

Of course, that “snow” are a hail of cherry blossoms. It was sort of warm, but Fumie's been feeling a bit iffy since getting back from Malaysia, so was bundled up.

The sun came out not soon after we arrived, and with it the wind died down. However, because of all the blossoms on the ground, we could see little mini “dust devils” from time to time, that we'd never have seen otherwise. Nature is amazing.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 55mm — ¹/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — full exif & map
Nature in the Middle of the City

The picture above is the little river/canal as it curves in its huge mile-long arc across sleepy Kyoto communities.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 48mm — ¹/250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
More Important Things On His Mind

Anthony, of course, totally ignored the abundant beauty to concentrate on his bubble maker. It's a little battery-operated fan with a quad of bubble loops mounted in front. Dip into the bubble soap, press the button, and volumes of bubbles and fun come out.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 20mm — ¹/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200, P.P. boost: +0.62EV — full exif & map

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — ¹/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Enjoying Anthony Enjoying the Bubbles

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 105mm — ¹/2000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Layer After Layer After Layer of Blossoms

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/320 sec, f/9, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bubbles Are Better Released from High Ground

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — ¹/320 sec, f/9, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Friedls of Kyoto, Hanami 2007

Open the trunk for a few moments to get the camera and it gets littered with cherry blossoms....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/60 sec, f/9, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos

I have so many more pictures from this stop that I want to share, not to mention those from all the various places we visited up in the mountains. I just don't know where to begin....