the plant called tiger's tail, but it looks like ponytail.

This is a plant of the primula family called Lysimachia clethroides and common name in English is gooseneck loosestrife.
In Japan, this is called Oka-torano-o which means land tiger's tail if it is translated literally.
It is said that the name "Oka-torano-o" originated from the shape looking like tiger's tail. But I do not agree to this opinion, because, it does not look like the tail of the tiger at all. If anything, it looks like the tail of pony. Why don't we just call it ponytail?

Japan Cypripedium, an endangered species

The photo has been originally uploaded by Yuichi Momma's photostream in flickr


According to the RRL issued by Ministry of the Environment (Japan), the Japan Cypripedium has been specified as an endangered species.

It is said that the place where this plant grows wild disappeared mostly in Japan.

However, we can look at a state of that this plant has grown in colonies in one private botanical garden.
The owner of the botanical garden is an old man who is 85 years old.
In order to protect this plant from extinction, he makes efforts to protect and  grow this plant more than a decade.

As a result, the plant was able to increase a thousand or more now.

Lily of the valley bloomed in my garden

The photo has been originally uploaded by Yuichi Momma's photostream in flickr.

The lily of the valley has begun to bloom finally in the garden of my home.
The flowering of this year is a little later than usual because of a heavy snow at the February of this year.

function that called single color mode

function that called single color mode, originally uploaded by photoholic image.

The camera has a function that called single color mode. You can chose any one from colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue and/or purple. The photo was taken with yellow in the single color mode.
Things like this I wonder, is it in the wrong way for the nature photography?

A camellia in flower arrangement

 
A camellia in flower arrangement, originally uploaded by photoholic image.

Some of camellia trees in my neighbourhood were broken down because of heavy weight of snow which has fallen last weekend. Based on the ready consent of a tree owner, I broke off some of the branches, which had some buds, from broken tree and brought them back to my home to make flower arrangement. The one of them has just bloomed so beautifully this morning.

　

a withered leaf

a withered leaf, originally uploaded by photoholic image.

Nature created such beautiful art on a withered leaf.
It is my joy to find it, and it is also my pleasure to take photos of such a nature scene.

The last autumnal leaves

This picture was taken in my neighbourhood a few days ago. Some Japanese maple leaves were left on twigs and lighted up by the setting sun. I was fascinated by color of leaves.

rainy season is over???

rainy season is over!!!!!!, originally uploaded by photoholic image.

Meteorological Agency of Japan announced that rainy season of this year seems to be over. If so, it is earlier for mostly half month than usual.
When I took this picture, it was so beautiful clear sky as shown in the image above!!
But, it was very warm and high humidity today. When I took this picture in Koga(古河), climate condition was 92 °F with 75 per cent of humidity. So, I had to leave off photography earlier than usual not to suffer from heat stroke.

a moth on leaves of Japanese pepper

a moth on leaves of Japanese pepper, originally uploaded by photoholic image.

There is a spiny shrub called Japanese Pepper in my garden. This is an aromatic plant which gives very refreshing smell when we rub or crumple up leaves. In addition, we use berries of this plant widely in Japanese cooking. Mixed with berries of Japanese pepper and dried whitebaits is my favorite side dish that is to be topping on a bowl of rice.

Association to La Dame aux camélias (The Lady of Camellias)

La Dame aux camélias (The Lady of Camellias), originally uploaded by photoholic image.

In Japanese, the flower in photo above is called "Otome Tsubaki" that means "Maiden of Camellia".
When I see a "Maiden of Camellia", I immediately think about a novel titled La Dame aux camelias or The Lady of Camellias written by Alexandre Dumas fils.

The further association is one of my favorite operas La traviata composed by Giuseppe Verdi based on the novel La dame aux Camélias.
Because, this opera is performed remain in the original title of the novel in Japan.

Let's enjoy "brindisi", and let's toast for your happy Sunday, for Maiden of Camellia too!


Best and attractive viewing of this image is in lightbox, and then click the key of "F11" for full-screen.
Thank you for your viewing. Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday and a week ahead!

Camellia Wilamina

Camellia Wilamina, originally uploaded by photoholic image.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, it might be Camellia Wilamina.

More attractive viewing is in lightbox, and then press the key of "F11" for full-screen.
Thank you for your viewing. Wishing you all a wonderful Friday and weekend.

The season of fresh green foliage

The season of fresh green foliage, originally uploaded by photoholic's images.

The season of fresh green foliage starts soon after falling of cherry blossoms scattered. This is the fresh green foliage of Japanese maple.

桜が散ったあとは新緑の季節が始まります。これは紅葉の新緑です。

taken by EOS40D with EF-S60mm F2.8 macro USM 1/800 f/2.8 ISO200 Aperture Priority AE