A walk around the neighborhood

One thing I love doing in my neck of the woods is just getting out and walking. After living in the heart of Tokyo for several years, a walk around the countryside is good for the mind and the soul - the peacefulness early in the mornings is so refreshing.

Another thing that I find refreshing are all the fun things I find when I'm just out strolling. Being out somewhere more rural reminds me every day of just how incredible nature is - from the biggest things to the smallest!

Check out this big fella headed across our walking path! We have seen some pretty big butterflies in the area, so I guess it's no surprise that giant caterpillars exist around these parts too!

Speaking of butterflies, here was one just hanging out on some flowers by the side of the road. He's one of the smaller ones we have seen!

One morning when we were out, we saw spider webs everywhere - they had obviously been busy the night before!

I loved this little fuzzy guy just sauntering across the road. He definitely stood out with his bright colors...wondering if he was poisonous?! That's my first thought when I see neon colored bugs!

I have to say that our local spiders must be the most industrious spiders I've ever come across...building webs on blades of grass? Now that's impressive!