Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 95 mm — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Getting Wet
Picking up my “Camping with Anthony” story from after our early-morning walk on Day 2....
The campground is on a cliff overlooking part of Kotobikihama (northern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan), a large beach more than a mile long, with many distinct sections. We spent the rest of the morning, and the early part of the afternoon, exploring, but it eventually came time to get wet.
Nearest the campground was a section of wide beach fronted by rocky outcroppings....
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 31 mm — 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 62 mm — 1/1000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Running in the Water is Fun
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 31 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 200 mm — 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
It's Fun to Get Wet
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 50 mm — 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
View from Near Our Tent
( Anthony is right of center )
In the picture above, you can see Anthony sitting in a small stream that's cutting through the sand. That's from a hot bath at the base of the cliff below the campsite, fed by pumps from a natural hot spring. The water continually overflows the bath, and the runoff makes its own hot steaming mini river down the beach into the ocean.
It's fun to jump over...
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 18 mm — 1/400 sec, f/10, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Jumping The Hot River
But it's more fun to sit in....
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 200 mm — 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sitting In The Hot River
But it's really fun to lie, roll, and wallow in it...
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 60 mm — 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Now We're Talkin'!
The ocean water is still a bit chilly, so being able to play in the warmth of the stream every so often makes for a long day of content-and-sandy fun.
Eventually, even little boys get tired, and it's time to relax in the hot bath...
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 120 mm — 1/250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pooped
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 32 mm — 1/320 sec, f/6.3, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Rotenburo
( 露天風呂 — “Open-Air Bath” )
The bath is not very photogenic, not that anyone enjoying its warmth really minds. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to use any kind of soap or shampoo (even while standing outside it). It'd be heaven if you could.
A couple of minutes later, Anthony is back playing...
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 200 mm — 1/1250 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
And quickly back to the bath...
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 200 mm — 1/250 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 36 mm — 1/350 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Rinsing Shoes
But little boys can't stay clean for too long or they wither away, so he quickly was back at it....
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 105 mm — 1/1000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
This is the Life
Soon after, I tried to give him a cold-water shower (the only showers they have at the campsite), which he did not appreciate. (It was later that I found the “porta-potty hot showers” mentioned on the Day 1 post.)
We then drove into town and found a supermarket, then stopped by a restaurant for dinner. I made sure that we returned home (the campsite being “home” for the duration of the trip) well in time for the sunset, although it turned out that something much better waited for Anthony: new friends.
I’ve very much enjoyed your website, and followed your blog for more than a few years. I originally checked it out after buying the 1st edition of your Regular Expression book.
I also have a little boy around Anthony’s age, so it’s great to follow his exploits.
I also share a passion for photography (yup, I’m a Nikon user too), and enjoy the pictures you post. I finally posted a comment, as camping is also a passion of mine. Being from Canada, we’re blessed with lots of open spaces to explore fairly close to home.
So, I hope you continue to post the continuing saga of you and your family’s adventures. Thanks for sharing!
Chris
Wow, great shots, especially “It’s Fun To Get Wet”. Now THAT’S a great portrait shot. And I can’t believe how fast Anthony is growing up!
A number of people have commented to me about that photo. I’m glad I included it, because I almost didn’t. It’s a bit blurred (he was running right by), and the smile is not really his normal smile. (The first picture of the post is closer to the quintessential Anthony). Anyway, I’m sure you’ll be able to get nice shots of your daughter, at least once she has the courtesy to be born. Until then, you can practice on your son. 🙂 —Jeffy
Wonderful blog and terrific photos. Interestingly I just post a “friendship” blog about my almost 3-year-old so I cam relate to how you described the boys’ fast friendship.
http://lapislazuliblue.typepad.com/joyeuxnoel/2008/05/friendships.html
Thanks for sharing!