Thinking of spring brings back memories of sakura (桜) and hanami (花見) in Tokyo. The brief blooms often infect me with some melancholy. The blossoms at Aoyama Cemetery (青山霊園) have that effect in abundance; however, I often break that sadness by thinking anyone able to afford a family grave here must have lived a good life. This photo was taken on a brief detour one fine spring morning almost 7-years ago. My friends always found me alittle strange, especially when i took them on shortcuts through this Cemetery 02 April 2014 20218 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Sakura #Hanami #桜 #花見 #CherryTree #AoyamaCemetery #青山霊園 #Roppongi #Akasaka #Minato #Tokyo #Japan #六本木 #赤坂 #港区 #東京 #東京都 #日本 #NoFilter #OriginalPhoto #OriginalPhotography #Nikon #NikonD600 #D600 #LostTokyo (at 青山霊園) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMyrCsrA4Ub/?igshid=nqpy9opg85hh

This red beauty is a 70's vintage Ferrari 512 BB spotted at January's Morning Cruise at Daikanyama T-Site. Although it was not in the spirit of January’s “Green” theme, I’m sure that no one would dare ask this beauty to move. 。 。 。 14 January 2018 。 。 。 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo 。 。 。 #Ferrari #Ferrari512BB #512BB #SportsCar #SportsCars #SportsCoupe #SuperCar #MorningCruise #TSite #Tsutaya #Green #Daikanyama #代官山 #Shibuya #渋谷 #渋谷区 #Tokyo #東京 #東京都 #Japan #日本 #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #OriginalPhoto #Nikon #NikonD600 #D600 (at 代官山 蔦屋書店 DAIKANYAMA T-SITE) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo4Rig4gIrs/?igshid=10ru9rvlibu3a

Not sure why I remember this, but I took this shot of sake bottles and cups displayed in the window of a bar in Azabu Juban called "ラッキー酒場" or "Lucky Bar" in English. For some reason, the sign had written in English “Plane Deep Fried Chicken”. I never went in to find out why.... Someone once told me there chicken was really good, now it's too far for me to find out if it is true... :-( 14 January 2012。 。 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo。 。 #Sake #SakeCup #SakeBottle #お酒 #ラッキー酒場 #Lucky #Bar #酒場 #Izakyaya #居酒屋 #AzabuJuban #MinatoKu #Minato #Tokyo #Japan #麻布十番 #港区 #東京 #東京都 #日本 #OriginalPhoto #OriginalPhotography #Nikon #NikonD700 #D700 (at 麻布十番 ラッキー酒場) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpD0KCsARgx/?igshid=1n6qgjai7jria

This was shot on B&W film in the 90’s when I lived in Florida on a now ancient Mamiya RB67 or perhaps a Mamia 6MF. I really don't recall, and can't be bothered to find the negative. It was probably shot on Tri-X or T-Max 100 and printed on an Agfa or Ilford Mulitgrade Fiber Base paper. Not sure how many prints I made, but one survived and was scanned at the end of last year. Sometime in the early 1990’s ? 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo 。 #Ferns #Florida #B&W #BWNature #BlackAndWhiteNature #Film #Kodak #TriX #TMax #Ilford #Agfa #OriginalPhotography #OriginalPhoto #Mamiya6MF #MamiyaRB67Pro #Mamiya #RB67Pro #MediumFormat #120film #MediumFormat (at Boca Raton, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo-wcpxA_9h/?igshid=fykd568i63j0

This was shot on B&W film in the 90’s when I lived in Florida on a now ancient Mamiya RB67 or perhaps a Mamia 6MF. I really don't recall, and can't be bothered to find the negative. It was probably shot on Tri-X or T-Max 100 and printed on an Agfa or Ilford Mulitgrade Fiber Base paper. Not sure how many prints I made, but one survived and was scanned at the end of last year. Sometime in the early 1990’s ? 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo 。 #Ferns #Florida #B&W #BWNature #BlackAndWhiteNature #Film #Kodak #TriX #TMax #Ilford #Agfa #OriginalPhotography #OriginalPhoto #Mamiya6MF #MamiyaRB67Pro #Mamiya #RB67Pro #MediumFormat #120film #MediumFormat (at Boca Raton, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo-wcpxA_9h/?igshid=13unb2y0hncn4

This photo of my daughter's hands was taken on the lazy morning after Super Typhoon Lan. The family slept through the remains of Lan and woke to clear skies in a traditional Japanese room on tamami and futons at the Hotel Obokekyo Mannaka. 。 21 October 2017 。 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo 。 #Sleepy #Morning #Holiday #AfterTheStorm #TyphoonLan #SuperTyphoon #RiseAndShine #Hands #ObokekyoMannaka #Ōboke #大歩危 #Shikoku #四国 #Japan #日本 #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #OriginalPhoto #Nikon #NikonD600 #D600 (at Ōboke Station) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo6vCp1AClk/?igshid=11nx7wzv2xe57

Last year I spotted this classic Ferrari F40 supercar cruising through one of Harajuku’s side streets. According to Wikipdia only 1,311 were produced between 1987 and 1992. 。 。 。 08 October 2017 。 。 。 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo 。 。 。 #Ferrari #FerrariF40 #F40 #ItalianSuperCar #SportsCar #SportsCoupe #SuperCar #Harajuku #原宿 #Shibuya #渋谷 #渋谷区 #Tokyo #東京 #東京都 #Japan #日本 #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #OriginalPhoto #Nikon #NikonD600 #D600 #LostTokyo (at Harajuku) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpLfcCfFsh-/?igshid=1bsknn1v640xs

These dry spiky thistles were spotted on the trail near the Cal State East Bay Campus Castle Rock. I like the composition of this one more than the one I posted previously. 07 October 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Landscape #NaturePhotography #DryFlowers # ScotchThistle #MilkThistle #CardusMarianus #SaintMaryThistle #MountDiablo #MtDiablo #CalStateEastBay #ContraCostaTrail #Concord #ContraCosta #California #MacroPhotography #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Cal State East Bay Concord) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKZ2YFFH19/?igshid=ibup8phzw60p

Usually I don’t post more than once each day, but I’ve been away from Instagram for awhile. Here’s another of the Blue Angels against an very blue sky. 06 October 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #BlueAngels #AirShow #FleetWeek #BayArea #BlueSky #SanFrancisco #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BopQi2bg46J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ilyewvxgrce2

Visited good friends in the city to enjoy Blue Angels Fleet Week Air Show from their rooftop in North Beach. Their roof had almost perfect position to view the air show and the precision flying skills of these amazing pilots. 06 October 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #BlueAngels #AirShow #FleetWeek #BayArea #NorthBeach #Alcatraz #SanFrancisco #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Alcatraz) https://www.instagram.com/p/Boozj7dAgEl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16bpdfnclew82

Today, we took another a late afternoon walk at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area in Walnut Creek, California. Spotted this California coastal oak with an large and unusual leafy “nest” in its canopy. Not sure what it is… possibly some sort of insect nest or cocoon… Bees, Wasps or Hornets nest, perhaps mothra or a pod people cocoon.. but it is covered with green leaves. Anyway, not sure what is was and didn’t want to get too close until I get more information. 05 October 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #WhatIsThat #WhatIsThatInsect #InsectNest #WhatLivesThere #OakMistletoe #Hemiparasitic #HemiparasiticPlant #OakTree #CoastalOakTree #CaliforniaOakTree #Landscape #Diablo #MountDiablo #MtDiablo #CastleRock #CastleRockRegionalRecreationArea #WalnutCreek #Concord #ContraCosta #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bok2pQEg66k/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17gq94i6sw4m0

Been getting a feeling for living in California and the Bay Area. We have been exploring the local and regional parks and found another great place for a walk surrounded by natural beauty. According to Wikipedia, Redwood Regional Park contains the largest remaining natural stand of coast redwood found in the East Bay. 16 September 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Landscape #Redwood #Redwoods #CoastalRedwood #Forrest #RedwoodRegionalPark #Oakland #Berkeley #EastBay #SanFrancisco #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Redwood Regional Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoeRzD-nAnp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kebpdbewzyjt

Just one more from my walk at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area in Walnut Creek, California. 29 September 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Landscape #Diablo #MountDiablo #MtDiablo #CastleRock #CastleRockRegionalRecreationArea #WalnutCreek #Concord #ContraCosta #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bob3TbqA2v9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=c07z0av5xp86

Another shot of the rolling hills in Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, Walnut Creek, California. This is what fall looks like in the East Bay. 29 September 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Landscape #Diablo #MountDiablo #MtDiablo #EastBay #CastleRock #CastleRockRegionalRecreationArea #WalnutCreek #Concord #ContraCosta #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZVZ_bASKf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yai7y0t4lfbm

Spent this weekend hiking the trails, soaking in the sun, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the views at Castle Rock in Walnut Creek, California. 29 September 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Landscape #Diablo #MountDiablo #MtDiablo #CastleRock #CastleRockRegionalRecreationArea #WalnutCreek #Concord #ContraCosta #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYQhibgBjS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b71qhlrgyby4

Quick snap of a bee doing what bees do, at twilight with some Verbena bonariensis (tall verbena, or pretty verbena) [Nikon D600 and an ancient Nikkor 85- mm f1.4 AI-S (f2.8 @ 1/100-sec 100 ISO/ASA 400)]. 07 September 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #Flowers #WildFlowers #Bee #Purple #VerbenaBonariensis #TallVerbena #PrettyVerbena #TheOrchardsAtWalnutCreek #WalnutCreek #ContraCosta #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Walnut Creek, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoUFTkZAv_R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t9p04eeq8fq3

A hazy sunset from August over Crystal Ranch and Lime Ridge Open Space in Concord, California. 09 August 2018 2018 © Michael Mercado // lost-tokyo.blogspot.com // lost-edo.tumblr.com // www.facebook.com/Lost.Edo #WildFire #Haze #Hazy #Sunset #SubUrban #SubUrbia #CrystalRanch #LimeRidgeOpenSpace #Concord #WalnutCreek #ContraCosta #California #NoFilter #OriginalPhotography #NikonD600 #Nikon #D600 (at Lime Ridge Open Space) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoQcYkdATTZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19y294cgpwhib