Annular Eclipse 2012

On May 21, 2012 an annular solar eclipse was visible from Japan to the west coast of the USA.

I was fortunate enough to take these pictures at Gokuraku Temple in Kawachinagano, Osaka.

It was a truly spectacular sight, though there was a bit of cloud in the sky (which added to the pictures), for the most part the skies were cloud free.

 The Kawachinagano Daibutsu.

A composite image of the eclipse.  Not the actual path.

 Annular Eclipse maximum.

 

Not everything was exposed properly:

Light leaking through the aperture blades with lens flares, but I still like it.

Motorcycles and 20001

I do like taking panning pictures of motorcycles:

and motorsofas:

While the Honda Supercub is the best selling motorcycle ever, it's not exactly the coolest one.

Random high school student, 'Hey, take a picture of me!'

Photo 20001 taken by my Canon Eos Kiss X2:

No idea how they remained so enthusiastic while giving out these energy gel-drink things, yet they seemed happy enough.

Orange Perigee

The newly risen perigee moon over the local Lawson store.

Glamour Tortoise

 Fabulous pose.

And the little ones don't mind a little sand with their vegetables.

Osaka Museum of History

Until the end of the week the Osaka Museum of History has an exhibit of Austrian and Japanese armor; while interesting, photography is not allowed in that part of the museum.  However, photography is allowed in most of the museum's permanent exhibition halls.

 Old and new high rise buildings. Osaka Castle with the Osaka Business Park in the background. 

Details of a Danjiri festival cart.  These elaborately decorated carts are hauled through towns and cities in some of Japans most boisterous and somewhat violent festivals.

Mask used in a rice planting festival.

 Karakuri doll heads used in a mechanical puppet theatre.

It's a crab. 

 The building itself shouldn't be overlooked either.

Improv: PofD vs PTB: Behind the scenes

Being funny: serious business (sometimes)

Improv! Pirates of the Dotombori vs Pirates of Tokyo Bay!

On April 15th, The Pirates of the Dotombori hosted their sister group The Pirates of Tokyo Bay in Osaka to put on a group performance to determine which of the two improv groups would reign supreme.

It was a great show, featuring wonderful performances of the very talented people in each of the groups.

 White cards for Osaka.

 Red cards for Tokyo.

 

Alas, the score ended up tied so we shall have to wait until the next time to determine the winner.