Colors of My Heart

It is a breathtaking seasonal attraction that opens only in spring. Each year, vibrant ranunculus flowers blanket approximately 50 acres—about the size of four Tokyo Domes—creating a spectacular display. The peak bloom typically occurs from late March through early May, when the colorful carpet of blossoms set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean is truly awe-inspiring. The history of this floral wonder dates back to the 1920s, when British horticulturist Luther Gage introduced ranunculus to North America. Since then, it has become a cherished spring tradition in the region. Today, The Flower Fields welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually. The grounds are divided into multiple sections, with staggered planting schedules to ensure that visitors can enjoy stunning blooms throughout the season. Because there is little shade, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential, along with comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water. From the hilltop vantage points, the contrast between th...

There’s a Starbucks in Rancho Palos Verdes (Los Angeles, CA) that I will never forget. Nestled right in front of the vast Pacific Ocean, it offers a breathtaking view that makes every sip of coffee feel like a moment of peace.  What made it truly special were the evenings—watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon, painting the ocean in shades of crimson and gold. I remember sitting there, completely immersed in the beauty, feeling time gently slow down. It’s been nearly twenty years since that visit, but the memory remains vivid in my heart. Among all the Starbucks I’ve ever been to, this one stands above the rest. It wasn’t just about the coffee—it was about the serenity, the view, and the quiet joy of being present in such a beautiful moment. Even now, I consider it the best Starbucks I’ve ever experienced. rencho palos verdes starbucks - Bing 地図 iPhone 6s Plus / F2.2 / 1/277s / ISO25 / 0.0 iPhone 6s Plus / F2.5 / 1/280s / ISO25 / 0.0 Participating in the ranking If you thi...

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is a beautiful flower field located in Carlsbad, California, and is especially famous for its colorful ranunculus (Iris Calla). This place blooms every spring and is loved by tourists and locals. The Flower Fields is especially known for its ranunculus cultivation, and the flower fields span 50 acres. These flowers are characterized by their vivid colors and unique shapes, making it a great spot for photography. The best time to see the flowers is usually from March to May, and the Flower Fields are open during this period. The Flower Fields are equipped with spacious walking paths and tourist facilities, making it an easy environment for families and couples to visit. There are also garden centers and souvenir shops where you can purchase flower-related products. Carlsbad is about 1.5 hours by car from Los Angeles, so it is very accessible. There is also a large outlet mall next door, where you can enjoy shopping and viewing flowers. There are many ...

While living in Los Angeles, California, I often visited The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch during this season to see the fields of ranunculus flowers. The sight of the colorful ranunculus blooms spreading across the area, contrasted beautifully with the blue sky. During the season, freshly picked strawberries are available at the shop by the flower fields, and I had the pleasure of savoring them while admiring the picturesque landscape. In addition to the beautiful flower fields, a large outlet mall nearby offered plenty of shopping opportunities, which I often enjoyed. At that time, I was transitioning from film cameras to digital, and I took many photos with the Olympus Pen camera. Fifteen years later, I think the images captured with the Pen are  still   wonderful.     Olympus PEN E-P2 ／ M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ／ 1/500s ／ F11 ／ ISO200 ／ 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 ／ M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ／ 1/400s ／ F11 ／ ISO200 ／  0.0   ...

These photos were taken in April fifteen years ago with a PEN E-P2. At that time, I was thoroughly enjoying digital photography and took my camera wherever I went. These shots capture a ladybug that happened to wander by while I was photographing the poppies blooming in my garden. It was basking in the warm spring sunshine, relaxing on the petals of the poppy flowers. ​​​​​​​​The Seven-spotted Ladybug is one of the most commonly seen ladybugs in Japan. As its name suggests, it has seven black spots on its back. It measures about 5 to 8 mm in length and is characterized by its bright red or orange wing covers. This species are widely distributed around the world. This ladybug is a predatory insect that primarily feeds on aphids, which are pests that damage crops. Because of this, it plays an important role in agriculture and horticulture as a natural enemy of aphids. As a result, the Seven-spotted Ladybug is often welcomed as a beneficial insect. Its larvae, like the adults, also feed o...