I found Ume blossoms (Prunus mume), floral harbinger of spring of Japan,
for the first time this season at Kataoka Ume Grove, Nara Park.
With a little warmth worthy of a few blossoms in my heart,
I walked down to Sagi-ike Pond in the chilly air.
Sagi-ike Pond is the most quiet at this time of year.
The pond is drained dry to improve water quality for a while till the beginning of March.
While various species of waterfowls disappeared, some Herons and Egrets
came for hunting to the small puddles.
Both Heron and Egret are "鷺 Sagi" in Japanese; Blue Sagi is Heron
and White Sagi is Egret.
Heron
When pond is almost dry, the wider view is not so exciting to see.
Focusing on each small puddle with a telephoto lens, however, reflections looked mysteriously magical.
Egret
The rays of the sun painted the puddles orange-gold for an instance.
The setting sun highlighted the caressing deer by the pond.
The heart-shaped rumps are so cute.
Happy Valentine's Day!
The pond will be filled with water in two weeks
and will get livelier again with more waterbirds, flowers and visitors.
Other seasons at the Sagi-ike Pond from the archive
Linked to Mosaic Monday
Gorgeous pictures !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mosaics !
Have a shinny day and thanks for sharing those beauties !
Anna
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks like spring has arrived. Beautiful blossoms. I love the pretty heron and egret and the deer are so cute. Lovely collection of photos. Take care, have a happy new week!
Wow! Your photos are very beautiful and taken from creative angles. I love the heron and egret birds very much. In Winter, we see many herons and egrets resting by the trees and river banks here. We are not sure whether they flew from Southern China or Japan as the weather here is warm.
ReplyDeleteLa primavera nos trae los primeros brotes. Un gran paseo por ese estanque que está lleno de vida. Me encantan los reflejos de la garza en el agua Yoko. Preciosas fotos.
ReplyDeleteBuen día de San Valentin también para tí.
Un abrazo.
Dear Yoko - I too enjoyed seeing your wonderful photos. Lovely reflections, majestic animals, and that glorious Prunus mume complimented by such a wonderful deep blue sky.
ReplyDeleteAll these are wonderful photos. I enjoyed looking at all these pictures.
ReplyDeleteYoko - we have missed you at Mosaic Monday, but it was worth waiting for ... your photos are so mesmerizing! You have such a talent with reflections. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteMiraculous pictures, Yoko! It is the place where we walked, isn't it? I mean, Sagi-ike Pond. The birds and deer look as if posing for you. They are so cute. I agree with Angie: you have a talent, and not only with reflections. Special thanks for linquistic nuances: White Sagi is Egret, Blue is Heron. We read your post with doctor B, he loved baby-deer most of all.
ReplyDeleteSending you warmest wishes from frosty snowy Russia,
Irina and Boris
Piękne zdjęcia, jestem nimi zauroczona. Pozdrawiam serdecznie.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place and your photos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos Yoko. I love the plum blossoms. Is it time for them to bloom or are they early this year? I always love to visit you to see your beautiful, artistic photos. I'm sorry I haven't visited for a long time but had been quite busy. I wish you a wonderful February.
ReplyDeleteLovely scenes, stardust! It seems the entire world can be reflected in even the smallest of puddles and as Mehmet Murat Ildan once noted: "There is something more beautiful than a beautiful thing and that is a beautiful thing which has a beautiful reflection on the water." :)
ReplyDeleteHi Yoko,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these wonderful photos, which enchanted and colored my day. I especially loved the 4th photo of Egret, it's fantastic with the reflection in the water.
Take care and all the best
Maria
Dear Yoko, have you seen today's Doodle? Creative and for a good cause - it celebrates Japanese virologist Dr. Michiaki Takahashi, who developed the first vaccine against chickenpox.
ReplyDeleteNow I understand what the pictures of the Google search engine today mean. Thank you.
Deletewhat an incredible photographer you are dear Yoko wow i am lost in the stunning beauty of your breathtaking shots !
ReplyDeletespecially the reflection and birds in water are splendor to eyes hats off to you my amazingly takented friend !
thank you for bring such pleasure to my heart !
and congrats for living in such beautiful place :)
blessings!
ReplyDelete·.
Wonderful photos.
Spring in Japan is a beautiful season.
Hugs
.·
LaMiradaAusente · & · CristalRasgado
These Photos Are Really Worth A Thousand Words - Well Done
ReplyDeleteCheers
Beautiful photos. And interesting about the name for heron and egret. I learn something every time I read one of your posts. Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteI am calmed by seeing your reflected watery images, Yoko. Focusing on the positive is definitely a help in these times. Is it really spring there already? I always love when the Ume blossoms return.
ReplyDelete