Early Summer

Here space and time exist in light

the eye like the eye of faith believes.

The seen, the known

dissolve in iridescence, become
illusive flesh of light

that was not,

was, 

forever is.

Excerpt from Robert Haydn Monet's Waterlilies
Photos by Lelantos

Nature Beckons

Amazing how in the space of six short weeks we are surrounded by a plethora of green and an abundance of flowers...the roses are in full bloom in Yokohama now, and yesterday saw us coping with summer temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit...

For the dogs the onset of summer heralds days sleeping in the air-conditioned room, peewees in the garden and short walkies before the asphalt gets too hot and burns their paws...oh for those glorious cool spring and autumn mornings!

 Photos by Lelantos

Friends

 Nobunaga really enjoys company. Yesterday I was chatting in a group of little kids and mummies and Nobu rolled over, playing dead when I tried to up and leave...we all worked together attempting to get him to stand up to come home, and he loved the attention. He only got up when another dog walked past...he does love saying hello to doggie friends.

 Whether it's on the morning walk, or having a friend drop by on the off chance for a casual playdate, while the girls regally ignore things, Nobunaga is the perfect host.

 Nothing like a spot of tag around the garden to unwind and enjoy life!

 Thirsty dogs and happy smiles, friends are simply the best.

 Photos by Lelantos

The Great Gig in the Sky

"And I am not frightened of dying, any time will do, I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime." 

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon

Luna is 13.5kg and counting down, only a couple of months ago she was still 14...she has a special exemption from rabies shots and the vet says to just keep on enjoying her presence...

...and even on days when you can't see the moon, it's still there.

Photos by Lelantos

...and the Bees

As humans, we privilege sight. Animals are experiencing so much more:

Their experiences are often in sensory realms alien to us. We can only imagine what it is like to have an umwelt that includes being able to recognize objects down to details in their surface texture using echolocations; or using the earth's magnetic field to orient ourselves during long-distance migrations; or communicating with others of their species by means of electric or heat signals.

 Photos by Lelantos 
Text source: Jonathan Balcombe (2010)Second Nature. Macmillan. p.77

Cats and Dogs

"...fishes and other vertebrate animals have inner lives. As individuals with sensations, perceptions, emotions and awareness, they experience life.

Having the capacity to remember past events, and to anticipate future ones, animals' lives are not merely a series of now-moments;

...by showing that animals have ambient emotional states, we show that their lives play out like a moving tapestry, and they can go better or worse according to their circumstances.

As active participants in dynamic communities teeming with other life forms, animals benefit by being on the ball, and learning from their experiences.

Many live in rich social networks, where individuals benefit by forming friendships and by cooperating with others.

...you are beholding a unique individual with personality traits, an emotional profile, and a library of knowledge built on experience...what you are witnessing is not just biology, but a biography.

Source: Balcombe, J. (2010) "second nature - the inner live of animals" Palgrave Macmillan p.203-4

Photos by Lelantos

Pond Life

Today is Kodomo no Hi, the Children's Festival...all over Japan you can see the carp streamers fluttering gaily in the wind. The way humanity is going, they may one day be the only reminders of a nature no one respects...but if you're Claire you're wise and know to see the real carp swirling in the pond.

On the other side of the newly installed bars, the carp lurk in the depths, coming up to the surface to enjoy the morning...

Life roils and heaves, with glorious eddies and splashes sparkling in the sunshine...

Kimono lore says you should wear the flower before it comes into season, because no picture or fabric can outshine the real thing, the true beauty of nature...those gaudy carp streamers pale beside the energy of the fish and the glory of the water draped in ripples round their body...

 Luna and Nobu have lost interest, but Claire is still focused on the dance...like butterflies in the water, the ripples build patterns of beauty round the dorsal fins...

 Time to breathe and rejoice in the joy of children and movement and chaos, tears and laughter and dirty snotty noses, poops and vomit and rich warm earthy life in all its glory.
Photos by Lelantos

Squirrel Hunting

This time of year the squirrels are out and about with their unique chattering call, and the dogs love it...it's a close call, birds or squirrels?

Claire goes wild, running in circles on the leash, barking furiously with the excitement...with birds she's working, focused and spot on, but with squirrels, there is no containing her enthusiasm...her whole being lights up with FUN!

Even with its mastery of light, shade and camouflage, Luna's setter eye penetrates the leafy foliage above to find that tantalizing prey...

Adorable little puckered mouth as she catches the little critter in her mind's eye...methinks the squirrel wins though...

Oops, time to go! 

Photos by Lelantos