Fallen petals of sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Quickly summer is passing away and the intensity of the dazzling sun is gradually decreasing day by day.

The best season of lotus flowers has already come to an end and their enticing aroma has almost faded away in the soft air around the ponds.

At nights, insects are singing lively in every thicket to declare their mating season, which heralds the invisible arrival of crisp and beautiful autumn.

The fallen petals of sacred lotus in Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

The deep green leaf of sacred lotus is tenderly cradling the fallen silky petals as if to mourn for the loss of that beautiful white flower.

The life of a lotus flower is very short and this summer is passing slowly but surely.

A fallen petal of sacred lotus in Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

I saw a fallen petal of sacred lotus and a trace of rainwater on a leaf.

Together with the gentle shading after a short rainfall, they unexpectedly composed such a quiet and beautiful picture as a profound Zen painting.

A bright crescent moon is shining serenely on the calm water through the drifting clouds of the night.

A petal of Sakura on the leaf in Jochi-ji temple

On the leaf of Shokassai, a fallen petal of Sakura was quietly waiting for the next gentle breeze which would carry it to somewhere.

Fallen petals in the garden of Engaku-ji temple