気候が徐々に秋らしくなってきて、公園では萩の花が咲いていました。
Autumn is arriving slowly but surely. The 'Japanese clover' (or, 'bush clover') has started to flower. This plant has very modest looking blossoms but they are loved in this country and they appear in silk screen paintings of more than a thousand years ago.
その隣に植わっている一重咲きの酔芙蓉。夏にも少し咲くけど、これからが本格的な開花時期で、11月頃まで楽しめます。
Next to the Japanese clover bush is Hibiscus mutabilis (or, 'confederate rose') tree that is starting to flower. Its flowering season lasts up to mid-November, so this is a useful tree to have in a park. Both this and the Japanese clover will be cut down to the ground in winter, and they start growing vigorously in early summer the following year.
中央公園のいつもの入口広場。タイガは冷たい草風呂を楽しんだあと。帰ろうとしたら、こうやって座り込んで動かない。いつもは目立たないけどタイガにはまつ毛がしっかり生えていて、この写真では右目の上で目立っています（ウラヤマシイ）。
Taiga has enjoyed her usual 'bath' rolling on the cool grass. When I wanted to go home, she planted herself on the ground and would not budge. In the photo, I can see her heavy eyelash over her right eye - wish I had eyelashes like hers.
写真を撮り始めたら腹ばいになって、当分居座るつもりのようです。
As I pointed the camera at her, she crouched down, fully intending to stay there longer.
ばあちゃん犬になってもカワイイ。
She may be old at 11 years old, but she is just as endearing as she was as a puppy.
撫でるのを止めようとすると、こうやって私に指示。
Every time I tried to finish, she indicated to me that it was not enough.
そういえば、うちのはまだ見ていない。
帰宅途中、石神井川に沿った歩行者専門道路の脇にヒガンバナが咲いていました。
On our way home, I noticed the red spider lily along the river. Its Japanese name, Higanbana means the 'autumnal equinox flower' and it is always very punctual.
However, I could not remember seeing this flower in my garden this year yet.
