A Stroll along Xingqing Lake

This weekend, I went to Xingqingong Park in Xi'an to see the autumn colors there. This park, the largest public park in Xi'an, is built on the site of the Xingqing Palace of the Tang Dynasty (616-907 AD). Walking through a traditional-style gate, we took a path leading to the main lake. Although it was overcast and hazy, the autumnal colors reflected nicely on the water's surface. Several traditional-style buildings peeked in between tall willow trees.

Traditional-style buildings along Xingqing Lake

Although it was fairly early in the morning, the park was already alive with people. Many others chose to take the path circumnavigating the lake.

Colorful boats, some styled with childhood characters, were parked along the shore. I can imagine that the lake would be dotted with them in the warmer weather.

In the distance, skyscrapers from a modern Xi'an contrasted sharply with the elegant traditional park structures.

Now that I've found this park, I am eager to return to it in the different seasons. It reminds me of my walks around the beautiful pond at Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul.

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Rainy Day Walk through the Woods

Despite the best of intentions, my family was unable to get together to hike this autumn. Weather was the main culprit, with many of the last weekends being rather rainy and unpleasant. A busy, diverse schedule was the other reason. Yesterday, my brother and I went to my parents' house anyways. Despite the rain, I went for a quick walk in their woods. Although there were no vibrant reds or oranges, the golden yellows still beckoned to me - even in the overcast conditions.

via Instagram

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Pumpkins on a Bridge

Autumn is finally making its appearance, as evidenced by hints of changing leaves and these fellows on a Yahara River bridge. This bridge is a popular one along a bike path that leads to the state capitol. Perhaps one of the bikers decided their course needed a little holiday sprucing?

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A Few Leaves Left

Gone is the colorful foliage that was painted over the Wisconsin landscape. With a few exceptions, most are like the tree in the foreground - bare, save for a few scraggly dried-up leaves, clinging to the branches.  I'm thankful that no (s)now has yet fallen on my neck of the woods, but I know it's only a matter of time. 

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A Web of Pearls

With a thick fog enveloping the neighborhood, I knew that capturing I would not be capturing autumn colors on my morning walk. Instead, nature granted me a different photographic subject. The intricate strands of pearls simultaneously emphasized a delicacy as well as the strength the web must have had in order to withstand such weight. 

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Rainbows and Crosses

One of the things I love about the changes of seasons is that it enables me to see the same scenes in a whole new way. I passed by this wall many times on my walk without giving it much of a glance, but on this autumn day, it begged for attention. 

Before me was a splendid "rainbow" in warmer hues.

The Cross was also featured, reminding me that God is always with me and can even speak through nature.

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A Walk Through the Woods

The bright sunshine beckoned us out for a walk through the woods. The leaves were already quite deep in some places along the path, but Meko (the dog) was keen in accompanying us.  

The afternoon sun cast long shadows on the leaf-strewn forest floor. Many of the trees are already rather bare, allowing even more light to penetrate.

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Framed by Yellows and Oranges

Shortly after I started my walk yesterday morning, the clouds gave way to reveal the sun. A great opportunity to take a few photos of the changing colors in my neighborhood.

If only the colors would last!

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One Lonely Leaf

Although some trees have really begun to change, there still are a fair percentage whose leaves are green or yellow-green. While walking in Tenney Park, I spotted this maple tree which had a highly contrasting red leaf dangling from a vertical branch. Perhaps it had more courage or was in no mood to procrastinate.

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Early Morning Rays on the Yahara

The shorter amount of daylight has really become apparent these last few weeks, making it harder to get up in the morning. I waited a bit longer so it was lighter before I went out for a walk. I headed down to where the Yahara River is a tributary into Lake Monona to see how the autumn trees were looking. Still at 7:40 AM, the sun was still rather low in the sky, its golden reflection bouncing off the water. 

The trees weren't all that far yet, so I sought a different subject. Some warm-hued leaves were backlit just above the dewy grass.

The combination of cool shadows and warm sunlight peeking beneath the arched trees was quite pleasing. Perhaps with the nippy evenings these past few days, the rate of coloration will increase, prompting a re-visit in a week or so.

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Tenney Park Bridges, Autumn

The other evening I went for a walk to nearby Tenney Park. The early autumn lighting was quite nice, complemented by the very still conditions.

Here I focused on a few of the bridges in the park, combined with some the some changing leaves.

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Seonunsa Streams and Autumn Foliage

When hiking through Seonunsa, I just couldn't help myself. Such incredible autumn foliage, echoed in the streams along the path. Even the rains couldn't dampen my excitement of the beauty around me.  

Just think of how these scenes would have looked if the skies would have been under clear skies or during the "golden hour" of late afternoon...

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Gangnam Autumn Reflections - times ten

Fall in Gangnam, Seoul - even better when seeing it multiple times through multiple reflections and even reflections of those reflections. It's good to preserve such memories for those upcoming dull and dreary winter days.

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Drops of Autumn Pearls

The last several weekends have been wet ones in Korea. Unfortunately, this coincided right with some peak autumn colors. My plans for capturing the leaves with early morning or late afternoon light went right out the window. 

Equipped with a rain jacket, I took a few photos of some of the trees on our school campus. I loved the complimentary colors of this image.

 Raindrops collected and beaded up on the branches like pearls.

Even the puddles had their own beauty.

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Sunday Morning Walk to the Temple

After a couple of rainy weekends, the sun briefly came out on Sunday after church. Although I had plenty to do, I felt compelled to at least go for a quick walk through the nearby woods and local temple. Perhaps by next weekend, the brilliant autumn trees might be devoid of their magnificent leaf display.

What a difference several weeks made; trees that were must beginning to turn colors were now just past their prime.  

Pathways were carpeted with warm-hued leaves. The collection grew as the gentle breeze loosened more fiery-colored leaves, fluttering to the ground.

Yellows spotted by the door on the freshly-painted temple building were echoed in the nearby trees.

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A Visit to Cheong Wa Dae

On this very dreary Saturday morning, two colleagues and I toured Cheong Wa Dae, which means "The Blue House." The executive office and official residence of the President of South Korea, Cheong Wa Dae is set amidst a beautiful landscaped grounds. 

It got its name from the 150,000 blue tiles adorning the roof. Each was individually baked to ensure durability of over 100 years.  In the background is Mt. Bugaksan; however, the mists of the rain enshrouded the mountain.

We reserved a tour spot over two months ago. Passports were required, and a security screening was conducted at the time of reservation and a physical one repeated upon entrance into the grounds upon leaving the required shuttle bus. I had to leave my zoom lens at the security check. My colleagues and I each were given an English translation player, as the tour was only in Korean. Schoolchildren comprised most of those on the tour. 

Before our English narration was even completed for each stop, we were herded to the next stop, always accompanied by tall, handsome security men in black suits. At one stop, we were given permission to take photographs in a certain direction, which included the umbrella-shaped bansong tree. One of the guards offered to take our photos, so we obliged.

At the reception hall, about 20 minutes after the tour started, we were asked to give back the required number tag around our necks. It was then that we realized that the tour was over. Another security person arrived with my zoom lens and our passports. 

So long, Cheong Wa Dae!

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Splashes and Canopies of Color

What a wonderful thing it is to live right next to such a beautiful campus. Although Yonsei University is an impressive campus at any time during the year, its well-maintained grounds is particularly notable during the fall and spring. In the fall, I look forward to seeing "my tree" (pictured above in the left side of the photo) blaze its tiny maple leaves in fire red.

By the old Tudor-style buildings, Gingko, chestnut, and maple trees abound. The vines on the buildings also turn crimson red, adding to the warmth of the scenery.

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Glow of the Chestnut Leaves

It was a good feeling to have finished with report cards. Stepping outside of school, I saw how beautiful the late afternoon lighting was. So I did what any good photographer would do - dumped my school bag and grabbed my camera. The neighboring campus of Yonsei University did not disappoint. The warm "golden hour" sunlight dappled on some maple leaves near one of the older buildings. As it was on a steep slope, I decided to approach it from the bottom. As I walked on the narrow support wall, I spotted more photographic opportunities.

The chestnut leaves rustled gently in the breeze, strongly illuminated by the low sun. The glowing yellow leaves with a fairy dust of red Japanese maple leaves against the dark bark created a canvas only God could paint.

Even the various warm hues of the chestnut tree made for a great shot. Needless to say, I took a few more photos in this spot, observing the wonderful interplay of light and color.

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Buddha Blessing the Persimmons

The Mireuk Daebul (Buddha of the Future) sculpture at Bongeunsa Temple appears to be blessing the persimmons. This autumn fruit is a Korean Buddhist symbol of transformation.
Prior to coming to Korea, I had never tasted a persimmon. I prefer them dried. Interestingly, I read that the high quality fruits come from branches that have been grafted onto another persimmon tree. 

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Out for a Morning Drink

As I walked through the main gate of the Bongeunsa temple, my eyes were drawn to movement at the stream to the left of the path. Just as with my spring visit, a creature was enjoying pleasures of the water. Perhaps it is because of the cat that the birds are not present to enjoy a bath...

Bongeunsa Temple - May 2015

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