A couple takes a selfie next to blossoming lilac trees at a botanical garden, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 28. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with a family of moorhens a few weeks back. It's taken me a while to edit the photos, but this is the first photo of one of the chicks.
For hours I hiked around Kurodani (黒谷) in Kyōto, literally "Black Valley," which is actually a large hill. From Japanese sources I found that the Pure Land (浄土宗) Buddhist saint Hōnen (法然上人) came down from Kurodani on Mt. Hiei in 1175 to build a hut on the hill, which became the major temple Konkaikōmyōji (金戒光明寺). The other temple I visited was Shinshōgokuraku-ji (真正極楽寺) or Shinnyo-dō (真如堂) nearby. Both worship Amitābha (阿弥陀} Buddha, although Shinnyo-dō belongs to the Tendai sect and was founded in 984 during the Heian Period. After the recent rain there was bright green early spring foliage and various flowers to enjoy along with interesting Buddhist statues and architecture.
#Tulips don't last too long; once they start blooming. They're still beautiful while dying off for the season. I like how their foliage changes colours.
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) on driftwood at the Skagit River delta in western Washington. These cute little birds have one of the most distinctive and cheerful songs of springtime in the PNW. Do you recognize their call when you hear it?
Shot on a long lens and then cropped back when I still had Nikon gear. Waiting for the wildlife area to finish construction and re-open to get in there with my Sony gear.