Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/125 sec, f/9, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Middle of Nowhere
Fumie's dad is stationed in Malaysia for work, but since he's in town for his 60th birthday, he thought it'd be nice to try to see some fall colors. (They apparently don't have seasons in Malaysia.)
I've posted a few fall-color previews (Part 1 · Part 2 · Part 3) with photos from previous years because it's still way too early in the season this year, but as I mentioned the other day, there are a few hints of color starting to appear, so we all headed out for a drive in the mountains today.
After about three hours (half of which was twisty narrow mountain roads), we stopped at a small cafe that was, for all intents and purposes, in the middle of nowhere. (Even though we'd been driving for hours, we were actually still within the City of Kyoto, which covers great swaths of uninhabited mountains.)
I didn't take any pictures except a few in the parking lot. In the shot below, Anthony plays with my iPhone while Fumie's mom looks on. You can see a hint of the colors in the reflection....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66 mm — 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Yet, there were still summer flowers. I don't quite understand the timing, but in the shot below, the same stalk has buds, flowers, and old wilted remains...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos
Confused About the Season
I hear talk that this year's colors are going to be great. We'll see. Until then, I have plenty from previous years in my Fall-Colors post category and on my “Autumn” photostream.
My wife and I arrive Kyoto on November 15, 2008. Greatly concerned whether we are too early for fall colors. Would appreciate your advising us if we are going to hit the “high” season for the changing foliage this year. Your response is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I was out again today, and was shocked at how much some of the leaves have already changed, so it looks like your mid-month arrival time will be perfect. I was not expecting this much color this early at all. —Jeffrey
I’m looking forward to additional gorgeous fall-foliage photographs from Kyoto, while the foliage at my place is almost gone.
I’ve recently uploaded a few photographs to zenfolio (using your great export plugin – many thanks for this!). If you like, you can view them here.