
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 40 mm — 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Water Play
in the river near the Yase Hiezanguchi station of the Eizan Railway in north-east Kyoto.
Last week, Nils invited us to play at the river near the end of the train line that runs by his house, so Anthony and I scootered up there. It would be the first time for us to see Greg in ages...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Four and a half year old
Greg Ferry
Sorry about the focus on the shot of Greg, but four-year-old boys pretend to not understand “hold still so I can focus.” The shot reminds me of this hunky picture of Anthony when he was three and a half.
Anyway, I think the last time we saw Greg was in the fall, when the kids went chasing around tiered rice paddies, and before that, a year ago checking out some big mushrooms.
For today's play, I didn't really know what to expect. I guess I had previous water play scenarios in mind (such as at Gen's house, or impromptu river play with Akiko-chan, or river play with Gen), and I ended up bringing all the wrong stuff. It was shaded, so I didn't need the sunscreen and hats I did bring, but it was really inviting, so I wish I would have brought along my own bathing suit.
It seems that's a common effect, because people walking by would often pause, think for a bit, then throw caution to the wind and kick their shoes....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/250 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Unplanned but Enjoyable
This gentleman, who beamed “kindliness”, opted to watch from dry land...
Anyway, Nils did come prepared, and so Anthony could enjoy his time much more....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Magical Underwater World
of wet rocks

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/90 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Wet Rocks
( shoulda' brought my polarization filter )
There were actually little fish in there, so that made for fun as well.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/160 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Sea Friend”
The little water float was a big hit. Anthony loved being led around in it by Greg, who loved leading Anthony around in it.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/160 sec, f/5, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/180 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 50 mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/250 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Riding the Rapids
The river area was well sculpted to create all kinds of different play zones, with the “rapids” being at the bottom of a short but steep chute at one side of the river.
Upstream just a bit is a footbridge that leads to Hiezan Cable Car that goes up to the top of Mt. Hiezan. It makes for somewhat of a picturesque scene...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 30 mm — 1/160 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shark!

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55 mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
At one point the sun came out and positively lit up some grass on the opposite bank, leading to some wonderful reflections...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Swimming in Green Slime
or, uh, in green reflections...
Of course, before we left, stones had to be thrown...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
(somehow, this picture just seems to sum up the whole wonderful experience)
I have to bookmark the place!