Wishing all my flickr friends a very happy and photogenic 2012.

These party animals are best (or worst) viewed in the large size on black to see all the detail.... Nature does the most amazing things....

Tags:   Giant Grassland Cicada Chisholm Creek Park Wichita Kansas Chisholm Creek Park

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A big cirrus sunset show.....

Tags:   pink cirrus sunset clouds lake water reflections Chisholm Creek Park Wichita Kansas

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A view from the main hall of the Meigetsuin Temple through the circular window to the inner garden beyond. The inner garden is known for its irises and is open to visitors only during two periods of about two weeks per year: in June when the irises are in bloom, and in late November/early December when the autumn colors are at their best.

More temple info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigetsu-in

Tags:   Kamakura Meigetsuin Temple Main Hall round window Japan Buddhist circle moon Rinzai Zen

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Wishing all my flickr friends a happy and photogenic 2016!

I saw these festive flying kite fish in Mikasa Park in Yokosuka. Some research turned up information about them:

"Koinobori", carp windsocks, carp streamers or carp banners, decorate the landscape of Japan from April through early May, in honor of Children's Day (originally Boys' festival) on May 5. In Japanese culture, the carp symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim up a waterfall. The Boys' Festival was an event, expressing hope that each boy in the family will grow up healthy and strong like wild carps. During this festival, people set Koinobori, huge carp-shaped windsocks, outside the house. Source and more info: www.koinobori-japan.jp/koinobori.html

Tags:   colorful kite fish Mikasa Park Yokosuka Japan Koinobori carp windsock streamer

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I arrived back in Wichita from my minimum annual requirement of walking in mountains yesterday. My first destination was a five night backpacking trip in the Wind River Range, with my campsite shown here near Island Lake. The Wind Rivers are spectacular and much like the Sierras in California. From there I went to the Tetons and Yellowstone, but got driven away by the smoke from 267 wildfires. Flickr friend Celeste introduced to me to wonderful hiking in the Uinta Range in northeast Utah, which is a thirteener range Utah residents seem to keep secret for themselves. After visiting some relatives, I went for a short backpack in the Needles area of Canyonlands National Park. On the way home in Colorado I bypassed the I-70 Sunday afternoon traffic by camping at Bogan Flats on a road less traveled that doesn't go to Aspen. Anyway, as usual I will save my summer vacation images to process and post during the least heat moons while I am in hibernation for the winter....

Tags:   backpacking Wind River Range Wind Rivers Wyoming Mt Sacajawea Bridger Wilderness Bridger tent bear can wilderness Sierra Designs clip flashlight Gossamer gear Mariposa backpack

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