During the equinoctial week of autumn

After the season of admiration, excitement, and alertness on COVID-19, 

autumn quietly entered through in my heart.

Before I knew it, “semi shigure/ powerful chorus of cicadas like shower” was replaced 

by the sporadic solo singing of "Tsukutsukuboushi ", Meimuna opalifera,

which signs end of summer.

The fragrance of Osmanthus is wafting out of nowhere about half a month earlier than usual.  

Meanwhile,  the decreasing of infection has steadily continued since late August.

In Japan, there is an equinoctial week in spring and autumn called "Higan",

when people customarily pray for departed souls.

"Higan-bana", Lycoris radiata, is called so for blooming around the Autumnal Equinox,

but most of them passed their peak on the Equinox Day.

The fiery red backdrop of the first photo is withering red Lycoris radiata in mass.

I walked around the Umami Hills Park on my way back from the visit to ancestors' grave.

Stars are more clearly visible in the clear air of autumn.

I look up at the night sky more often.

The rocket reminded me of the recent heated move for space tourism.

The view of our Blue Marble is awe-inspiringly beautiful seen from the outer space,

either from low Earth orbit or a little far away.

I simply wonder, however, how the upper atmosphere of the Earth 

would be affected by the frequent rocket emissions like alumina particles or black carbon.

This is one of my favorite paintings (or perhaps the best) by my grandson Y.

Linked to Mosaic Monday