Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

As I entered the modest garden of Kaizo-ji temple, my eyes were dazzled by the countless purple flowers of Sion blooming brightly in the transparent sun of early autumn. The deep pink flowers of Fuyo (confederate rose,) which were once in full glory in late summer, have already passed their prime.

The seasons always come and go in a stealthy manner. Like the silent messages from the earth, the various seasonal flowers, which appear unexpectedly under my eyes, unveil this secret transition at the beginning of each season.

Tsumagurohyomon (Argyreus hyperbius) butterfly (female): Kita-kamakura

The elegant swallowtail butterflies of summer, that used to soar gracefully in the intense sunlight, have already disappeared into the air. 

Now, the butterfly with orange wings marked with black and silver are busily flitting in the autumn sky to search for flower nectar and mating partners. As autumn deepens and winter approaches, butterflies must vanish out of sight secretly.

Butterflies cope with the hardness of cold winter in a variety of ways to survive and leave offspring. Some kinds of butterflies endure harsh winter as larvae or adults by lying in concealment in the shadow to protect themselves from enemies.

There are butterflies which lay eggs before the arrival of winter, and there are butterflies whose larvae become chrysalises before winter and quietly wait for spring in their hiding places to depart from the chilly ground into the warm spring sky.

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Shumeigiku (Anemone hupehensis) flowers: Kita-kamakura

The elegant flowers of Shumeigiku are quietly blooming toward the sky as if to heartily enjoy the blessings of the calm and transparent sunlight of late autumn.

The white petal-like parts of the flowers are sepals, which decorate and highlight the small orange flowers to attract pollinating insects in the tranquil shade.

The blooming season of graceful autumn flowers will end soon, and severe winter deepens little by little. Flowers rapidly disappear from the garden and most living things begin to prepare their quiet winter-sleep. 

For crowning the autumn glory splendidly, leaves have hurriedly started their gradual transformation to brilliant colors.

Rindo (gentian) flowers: Kaizo-ji

The deepening of autumn makes the blue flowers of Rindo bloom on the stalk lying the ground. These flowers open fully toward the sun only on fine days and close at night or on cloudy or rainy days.

The vivid blueness of them might be derived from the transparent azure sky of mid-autumn.

Autumn seascape: Yuigahama-beach

 

Karamon (Chinese-style gate) : Kencho-ji

 

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Rindo (gentians) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Before sundown: Zaimokuza-beach

Without my noticing, the sky has become filled with countless shredded clouds. The slowly sinking sun is casting the gradations of vermilion glow and gradually dyeing the sea, the sky and the clouds with its remaining fire.

Clouds always appear from out of nowhere in the sky and float away on the wind. Like having their own souls, they constantly change their shapes and, then, suddenly disappear into thin air.

The dusky night has just begun to descend in the sky, and the soft brilliance of the evening sea continues fading out moment by moment.

Before sundown: Zaimokuza-beach

As the sun sinks into the sea, the gradually fading sunlight illuminates the sky and the sea with a variety of subtle colors and shades.

The intense sunshine of summer weakens, and the crisp atmosphere of autumn gradually takes over. The decrease in air moisture brings the transparency of the sky and makes the sunset glow shine more vividly on the western horizon.

Before sundown, the cool sea breeze keeps blowing gently as if to murmur that autumn evening has just returned now.

Before sundown: Zaimokuza-beach

The sun has already sunk beyond the cape, and the golden afterglow is spreading through the gaps between the dark low clouds covering up the sky.

Although the thick lower layers of clouds have lost their brightness and have turned into dark blue, the upper layers of the torn clouds are still shining softly with the few remaining light emitted by the setting sun.

The calm waves are unceasingly washing the sands to make them sparkle dimly in the deepening dusk of the evening.

Before sundown: Zaimokuza-beach

 

Before sundown: Zaimokuza-beach

 

Hagi (Lespedeza) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Engaku-ji

Tama-ajisai (Hydrangea involucrata) flowers: Jochi-ji

 

Bamboo: Jochi-ji

 

Tsumagurohyomon (Argyreus hyperbius) butterfly (female): Kaizo-ji

 

Hagi (Lespedeza) flowers ; Kita-kamakura

 

Skipper butterfly: Kita-kamakura

 

Takanoha-susuki (zebra grass): Jochi-ji

 

Sunset in blue: Morito-beach (Hayama)

The soft vermilion light that the setting sun emits is increasingly blending with the blue-gray of the floating cumulus clouds to create the ever-changing violet sky above the tranquil evening sea.

The tender brilliance of the sky is reflected on the silvery surface of the finely rippled sea. 

Although the sun is gently sinking beyond the sea and the night is closing in gradually, the people on the beach are still staying here to cherish the glow of embers of this summer day.

Sunset in blue: Morito-beach (Hayama)

The sun is gradually sinking beyond the distant horizon. Illuminated by the remaining flames of the setting sun, the wavy flakes of altocumulus clouds are shining brightly in the dark blue sky like the countless tufts of silvery-white feathers of the mythical bird which lives in the sky.

The ever-changing radiance of the sun is beautifully coloring this serene seascape to reveal one of the most stunning spectacles of this watery planet for a brief moment before sundown.