A Month Croaks by

A rain frog takes refuge from Typhoon Talas (12) on my front porch.

A little over a month has passed since I arrived in Japan, a place that is hot, humid, and nasty. In the past, I have only visited in the summer, so I am told my view of Japan is skewed. It is now, by all accounts, the middle of September, and still hot and humid, so I remain firm in my challenge to the myth of quadri-seasonal Japan—prove it!

Midday Landscapes

The Sedona Sun
Originally uploaded by Kumasan

Most of the time people will tell you that the best nature photography happens at that time around sunrise and sunset. By and large those people are right. Of course the point is that the best photography in general happens when the light is interesting in some way. Noon is generally not thought to present good light: it is harsh and rather dull. But that does not mean that one cannot create opportunities to make a compelling photo by working around the challenges presented by midday light. Taking advantage of silhouette is a common approach I think.

Another way to help Japan

http://corterleather.bigcartel.com/product/for-japan
If you are in Japan donations to help relief efforts are easy enough to make through the Post Office ATMs, or the many convenience stores. But for those who don't have to time to figure out how to make a donation from abroad, need a little incentive, or all of the above, but still want to contribute, here is a nice way of doing so. And it is incomparably more aesthetically appealing than those colorful rubber things.

For the next week or two, Corter Leather (handmade in New England) will be offering a special "For Japan" edition bracelet. Each one is $20, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross towards relief efforts in Japan. The bracelet comes in three sizes, is a natural 9 oz bracelet, with a hand painted red button to show support. Each comes in a nice cloth bag. Out of respect, there is no branding, no fancy packaging- just a reminder to help and remember.
Others have already mentioned this opportunity: http://neaststyle.com/2011/03/14/japan-by-corter-leather/, http://dreamsofperfection.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/corter-leather-for-japan-bracelet/, just to mention a few.

First Ukai of 2010 in Arashiyama

Michael Ignatov

The first ukai of the summer on the river Oi in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Ukai, or "cormorant fishing," is a millennium-old fishing technique in which cormorant birds are leashed at the throat, so that they do not swallow large fish, and are made to bob for river fish.

Stay tuned for a more expanded feature.

SPJ Region 11 Mark of Excellence

I recently found out that my photo (see below) won the SPJ Region 11 Mark of Excellence Award for Sports Photography. Very happy to hear that.


Michael Ignatov / Arizona Daily Wildcat

Aubrey Coleman just finished up a spectacular senior year, and Chase Budinger is having a pretty good rookie season with the Houston Rockets.

See earlier posts dealing with this photo here and here.

UA Spring Football Game

Michael Ignatov / Arizona Daily Wildcat
Arizona linebacker Derek Earls brings down senior receiver Travis Cobb during the Spring Game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., Apr. 10, 2010.

Spring Game once again. See the slide show below:

UA - 87, UW - 70

Michael Ignatov / Arizona Daily Wildcat
University of Arizona's Jamelle Horne celebrates after hitting a three-pointer against University of Washington in an NCAA men's basketball game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2010. Horne finished with a career high 22 points, including 5/8 three-point shooting. Arizona went on to win 87-70.

If it hasn't already been established, the Pac-10 is wide open, officially. Every team has a conference loss. Arizona (8-8, 2-2) defeated #22/24 Washington last night. So Arizona is the #2 team in the Pac-10...in a five-way tie. And Washington is last. Jamelle Horne lobbed 22 points at Washington, mostly from behind the 3-point line. Parrom looked good, his frame belying a toughness that he hasn't shown before. MoMo Jones played smarter than ever, and had a great game, but got caught with an elbow that split his lip.

He returned with some temporary stitches in the final moments of the game, finishing with a career-high 13 points. Fogg was consistent. Defense was the best all year. If the Wildcats keep this up, they've got a legitimate shot at winning the Pac-10 tourney.

Remember, Cal (2-1 pac-10) lost to UCLA, who lost to Arizona. Stanford lost to Cal. Oregon just lost to Oregon State, giving the Beavers a first conference win. Oregon St. by the way decided to beat Oregon after suffering a 51-point (that's right, 99-48) spanking at the hands of Seattle (7-10)! Washington State lost to Oregon, and got demolished by ASU. ASU lost to UCLA and USC. USC lost to Cal and Stanford. Phew. This is going to get even more interesting.

See the slideshow below (#1-25 are mine):


Read all about it: http://wildcat.arizona.edu/sports/wildcats-bounce-back-against-huskies-1.1008112