Red Shouldered Hawk

This little beauty was not shy.  She jumped right down in front of me looking for a little chipmunk who got away - thankfully.

The Tongue of the Great Blue Heron

Fun with Squirrels today at Eastern College PondHigh

Take Off 

Another Take Off

Hands Over my Head

Oh my head!!

                               

Bluebird and the Buds

"Would you like a cup of tea?

Conversation with the Fox

Deer at Dusk

It was so dark I could hardly see this little gal raising her foot, stamping the ground and complaining about me.  The Nikon camera is pretty darn good in low light with no flash, if I must say so myself.

My Darling Clementine

My Tripod is in the Repair Shop

My miracle ten year old tripod head which helps hold up my big lens finally said it had had enough.  So I called the good Wimberly Company thinking I may need to break down and buy a new one.  But those good people said, "Send it back and we can fix it."  So....., it is in the shop and I will need to be patient and keep the 600mm on the dining room table until the miracle tripod head returns.  Here are a few geese with the smaller macro lens.  Later gater.

The Mallard Stretch

Accidental Fox in the Rain Today

I was driving to one of my favorite spots in Valley Forge this morning when I saw a small flock of turkey vultures by the side of the road. I pulled over to a safe spot and put my big lens out the window and started taking pictures when all of a sudden this beautiful red fox showed up in my viewfinder!! It was such a wonderful surprise.

Little Kestrel Refusing to Blink First

Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird in Valley Forge Today

"Could That Be a Hangnail?"

The Handsome Lady Harrier in Valley Forge Today

Today is the Day!!

In about five hours Yumiko and I will go by taxi to the Shinganji Temple in Tokyo where we will have a private ceremony to bury the second half of Ken's ashes.  In attendance will be Ken's sister Takae San and her immediate family and Ken's sister-in-law Sumiko Kono and her immediate family.  I am 'Chief Morner" and will be carrying a picture of Ken as we do all the rituals.  Following the ceremony we will return to the Keio Plaza hotel and have a wonderful celebration of this great man's life.  About 40 people will be in attendance including Ken's friends from Junior High, Senior High and Keio University.  Many people will be giving little speeches in memory of Ken (including Yumiko and me.)  Ken's friend will play the flute and his two little nieces will also play the flute. We've put together about a 120 picture slide show too.  I am hoping we will have lots of pictures to share.  If so, I will add a few more in a new blog post.  It will be a good day.

Ken Kono

Ken's Grave in the Shinkanji Temple cemetery

Yumiko with Mariko Koyama

Tamon Ando, Ken's oldest friend saying a few words

Kitty with Ken's high school friend Masao Konami who translated for everybody

Ken's Table

Akiko and Yuuko Sakamoto, Ken's great nieces (daughters of Atsuhiko - first son of Takae Sakamoto) who played the flute for Ken

Sumiko Kono with Kitty at the Shinganji Temple where Ken's service was held

Masataka Sakamoto, younger son of Takae Sakamoto with his children Nao and Akari

Takae Sakamoto, Kaku San (tax attorney), Masataka and Atsuhiko Kono

Standing from left are Sokichi Iba talking with Yutaka Tatsumura and  Hiroshi Nasu talking with Sadaharu Kanai.  Seated are Sylvia and Norio Mahira and Kitty Kono

Masataka Sakamoto, Takeo Mogami, Atsua Sakamoto

Yumiko Kono, Kitty Kono, Takeo Mogami and Sakiko Mogami  at a wonderful dinner at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Yumiko Kono with Sumiko Kono at Shinganji Temple

Atsuhiko Sakamoto (First son of Takae San) and wife Haruko speaking with Yoko Otsuji (Friend of Ken's from Keio University

Atsushi Matsumoto,  Master of Ceremonies and Yoko Otsuji

Fumie Kumaga from Hibiya High School playing beautiful flute for Ken

Ken's many friends from Aoyama Junior High,  Hibiya Senior High and  Keio University

Kitty addressing the reception

Takeo Mogami, great friend from Hibiya High School who organized the party talks about Ken

Yumiko Kono talking about her Dad

Yutaka Tatsumura, great friend from Keio University talking about Ken

First picture of Ken I took from the second story of my little house on Tryon Street in Philadelphia, probably a month after we met in August 1993.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

Just finished The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and could not recommend it more highly.  It's the story of unconditional love and it revolves around a little Chinese girl adopted by American parents.  I could not put it down!  Beautifully written.  Totally engaging.  So wonderful.  Here's a link if you are looking for something good to read:  https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Girl-Hummingbird-Lane-Novel/dp/1501154826https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Girl-Hummingbird-Lane-Novel/dp/1501154826