Welcome to my view
a few other bits and pieces ...
Life unfolding right in front of my eyes while I'm listening to some progressive Rock / Metal ( hey what can I say it's my thing)
Beauty in darkness and life in light . It's all glorious .
My name is Anna .
I live in Tokyo and my inspiration is from nature . That's crazy right ? This big crowded noisy city and yet it's bristling to the brim with beauty .
Most of these pics are shot in Tokyo, a few from the north of Japan and a few more from my recent trip to fabulous Arizona , home of the sun , saguaro and water carved Antelope Canyon .
I can't wait till my next photo adventure !
❤️
All pics (with the exception of 'an autumn dance of koi') shot with a NIKON D3100.
the world through a puddle #1
a glimpse into an alternate reality?
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Odaiba bliss
In the biggest metropolis on earth there is a beach. Take a short ferry or automated train ride from central Tokyo to Odaiba and arrive in shopping central .There are so many shops, restaurants, and spectacular views AND a beach. Its a lovely (but sometimes busy ) place to spend an afternoon.
I love walking across the rainbow bridge, especially in summer, to sit by the lapping water, have a beer and watch the sunset.beachsunsetwaterbridgetokyojapanrainbow bridgeorangeTravelTourismTravel DestinationTranquilSereneTourist Attractionvibrantdusk
Tokyo
tokyo towers view may be eclipsed by loftier buildings, but it still an icon of japan.
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Hokkaido paddy fields
While staying at my mother in laws home, I had spotted a little cemetery nearby , and was eager to get some shots over the rice fields, with the setting sun doing its magic.
I set off on my own but it wasn't long before I realised what seemed to be the same car, had driven past a few times.
I entered the small cemetery trying to shake off the feeling that I was being followed . I was a good way in when I turned back to check again and saw the car pull into the entrance , thereby blocking my way out . The man got out the car and started walking toward me.
While I was annoyed some idiot was following me, I was really really bugged that I could no longer continue on my blissful photo adventure . I knew I had to turn around and walk back out before I was any further into the cemetery. It was so irritating ( and yes slightly frightening but I'm a big LOUD girl )( it's my rock singer lungs you know😝)
I passed him looking straight ahead and he stopped . " Where are you from? " he asked .
"Australia" I said as I strode past him .
I heard him following me trying to ask more questions but by this time I was really really annoyed he had ruined my photo session and ignored him .
I kept walking without turning back but knew I couldn't walk straight back to my mother in laws incase he was following me .
I walked past her little street and turned the corner to loop around and go into a back street that would lead to her house .
I had a good look around and couldn't see him .
Cursing cursing and cursing some more at the lost photo moment , I turned into the little back street and was struck by the setting sun illuminating the paddy fields in hues of orange and gold .
I couldn't believe my luck , mentally thanked the stupid annoying stranger moment and happily clicked away .
The second I heard the shutter on this photo I knew I had taken one I would love
and would always remember that moment when just when you think you've lost an opportunity, something so surprisingly wonderful can be right around the corner .Hokkaidoearly summersunsetorangegoldpaddy fieldsrice fieldsJapanwaterTravelTourismTravel DestinationTranquilSereneTourist Attraction
spirals in antelope canyon
It was totally worth the steep stairs down into lower Antelope Canyon .( scared of steep stairs, steep paths and heights .....).
I can't believe all these glorious shapes have been carved out by water rushing into the canyon during flash flooding and heavy rain.Lower Antelope CanyonArizonanaturestoneNavajoSandstoneErosionGeologySandRockRock FormationTourist Attraction
sunlight through the earth
From ground level there doesnt seem to be much going on, but descend a steep flight of stairs and you will be in nature carved stone heaven. Its absolutely mesmerising to be immersed in a canyon of sculpted rock .
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sculpture by nature
It amazes me how this veiled woman has been so perfectly sculpted by the power of water and time.
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Minamisanriku Seagull
With an average life span of 15 to 20 years this seagull may have witnessed the devastating and very tragic destruction of the march 2011 tsunami.The beautiful seaside town Minamisanriku was extremely hard hit .
After a day of volounteering I woke up one morning with this fellow peeking into my room.MinamisanrikuseagullMiyagitsunamiJapannaturegullserenenatural
red in black and white
With velvet petals and silky textures , roses are glorious without even a hint of colour.
This beautiful rose bloomed in a rose garden near Shinagawa. Her petals may be gone but in this photo she lives forever . (I know that sounds corny....sorry)Rosegardenblack and whiteBWNatureGrowthTextureSoftnessFragilityDelicateSimplicityCloseup
Sophi
This is Sophi
She is from Fukushima and was a few months old when the quake hit on march 11, 2011, setting off the disastrous chain of events .
Her family left her behind as they scrambled to evacuate when the nuclear power plant went critical .
Many pets were abandoned . Most people thought they could just go back in a few days but that sadly wasn't the case .
In September 2011, I went up to volounteer at an animal shelter in Fukushima .
I met Sophi for the first time .
She had recently been rescued after spending 5 months on her own in the exclusion zone to fend for herself .
It was love at first sight, and a few weeks later she joined me in Tokyo .
She's such a good girl , loving, kind and so generous ( she shares her toys with my other Fukushima baby -Kiki.)
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Kiki cub on a bed of linen
Fukushima baby Kiki, aka Monster child.
They say black kitties are extra naughty and I have to say I am inclined to agree, however they are extra cute to make up for it so it all evens out! This little one was born around October 2012 in the exclusion zone. She was rescued by a farmer who lives on the edge of the zone. I was up there that day and I actually took her cage from the lovely farmer and put her in the van never imagining that a few short months later she would be my baby.Kitten black catcatrescueFukushimaJapancat eyenaturegrowthserenewhiskersdelicatelinen
wind in willow
I've always loved willow trees. There is something so wonderful about their movement in the wind with their graceful branches and supple leaves. When I was young and it was raining, I would take cover under the willows lining the streets on my way home from school. Running from tree to tree in a summer storm , I waited till I reached the last tree , then I would give a branch a tug and watch all the drops of water splash to the ground.
Yes ok so I still do it!
Try it after a rainstorm (a GENTLE tug on the branches...we don't want to hurt the willows)
This beautiful willow lives by a canal in Tokyo near Tennozu island.TokyoJapannaturetreegreensummerwillowtennozugrowthvibrantserenewindmovementnight
Cathedral Rock : Sedona
feel the vortex ;)
Sedona is said to be a power point on this planet. (no Im NOT making this up...) Well whether you believe or not, its a gorgeous place. I absolutely loved it there. So stunning.sedonavortexarizonacathedral rockblack and whiteGeologySandRockTravelTravel and TourismTravel DestinationFamous PlaceTourist AttractionRock Formation
an urban autumn
Even in the center of a mega urban sprawl , there are special places to steal a moment and catch some air.
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long live rock and roll
These rock and roll bad boys have been strutting their stuff in Tokyo for decades.
I first saw them in Harajuku, when every Sunday , bands lining the streets, would blast out their songs and rock and rollers would dance their choreographed moves to classic 50s music .
Here they are strutting their stuff in Odaiba , a different area but the same cool moves .BWblack and whiteRock and rolldanceOdaibaTravelTravel and TourismTravel Destination
Hokkaido winter
Beautiful Hokkaido is famous for its soft and plentiful powder snow.
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stone stairway to success
Atago shrine was established in 1603 at the very beginning of the Edo period .
The very steep staircase with a slope angle of around 40 degrees leading to the shrine is called "The Stone Stairway of Success” .
It is believed if you climb up and down them you will be successful in your career or enterprises.TokyoJapanblack and whiteshrineStairsTravelTravel and TourismTravel DestinationFamous PlaceTourist Attraction
horseshoe bend
I am DEATHLY afraid of heights (ok so maybe bad choice of words) . I had to lean over the edge to get this shot with my arse FIRMLY planted on the ground...still terrifying. This picture may be a pretty common one but for me it represents courage and overcoming fear.
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Glass wave #2
up close and personal with a hand blown glass bottle from Otaru Hokkaido
