Autumn Colors Report 2014 - Late Arrival of Autumn Colors at Kamakura!

Canon EOS 6D, Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 IIDG HSM (15mm, f/5, 1/50 sec, ISO-200)

Now the peak period of autumn colors is coming to Kamakura! In Japan, autumn colors start in mountainous areas, gradually move to places in lower altitudes, and finally reach seaside areas. This is how Kamakura, the town near Sagami Bay, is welcoming autumn colors. Indeed, Kamakura has the peak period later than any areas of Kanto region. Autumn colors have ended in Tokyo, which means Kamakura has the peak period now!

I am in Genjiyama Park, a large park located in the northern west of Kamakura Station. The park is full of nature and gives visitors the opportunities to enjoy walking and hiking. As you see, the park is full of autumn colors now!

Canon EOS 6D, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (70mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec, ISO-100)

A big tree shows a strong presence with its dark trunk.

Canon EOS 6D, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (200mm, f/4, 1/200 sec, ISO-500)

While I was walking through the park, I found a cute squirrel in the autumn colors! Indeed, I found more than 5 squirrels today. There are many wild animals including squirrels and birds.

Canon EOS 6D, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (182mm, f/5, 1/160 sec, ISO-250)

I thought that the Japanese Maple leaves in this park are relatively neater and cleaner. Here're yellow leaves.

Canon EOS 6D, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (200mm, f/4, 1/200 sec, ISO-320)

I love this photo. The orange leaves look clear because the leaves are in focus with the brown background.

Canon EOS 6D, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (200mm, f/8, 1/200 sec, ISO-100)

By the way, the park itself is on the hill of Kamakura so I can see the Sagami Bay from here!

Canon EOS 6D, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (70mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec, ISO-100)

When I was thinking of leaving Genjiyama Park, I found a rock with a lot of bases. The name of the rock is Masaruishi, which means the rock which removes negative factors in life. If you throw the base to the rock and the base gets broken, the rock removes your bad fortunes.

I tried it. The base did get broken. But the base hit into the wall at the back. *laugh*

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF50mm F1.4 USM (50mm, f/4, 1/160 sec, ISO-640)

I left Genjiyama Park and started to head for Kita-Kamakura Station. The way to the station is, indeed, a hiking course for beginners. You don't need any special equipment for this hike, but please make sure that your clothes are easy to move in.

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF50mm F1.4 USM (50mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO-250)

After finishing walking on the hiking course, I dropped in at Meigetsuin Temple. This temple is famous for blue Hydrangea in June, and for special autumn colors in December.

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF50mm F1.4 USM (50mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO-320)

Green bamboos grow straight and refreshing. But as you can guess from the photos, some of  the trees have already lost their leaves.

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF50mm F1.4 USM (50mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO-320)

Then, what is the special autumn colors I am looking for? This street leads to the main hall of Meigetsuin Temple.

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF50mm F1.4 USM (50mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO-250)

And here it is! The circular window gives us the limited view of the gardens. We can't go over there. The window gives us the opportunities to imagine how beautiful the gardens are by limiting our eyesight. I found one type of Japan's beauty, I thought.

I hear that Kamakura will have some autumn colors even in the end of December. I hope I can see beautiful autumn colors again.