Geiko and Maiko and Taiko Performance in Kyoto, Japan

The entertainment at our banquet dinner for AVAR 2009 Conference held in the Hyatt Regency Kyoto was spectacular! The delightful and colorful Maiko and Geiko performance provide a quiet reflection on the culture of Japan.


Once dinner was over the need for quiet faded into the beat of Taiko drums. The main Taiko player had the largest bicepts and tricepts I have ever seen. The pounding of the ōdaiko drum could be felt through your entire body. Check out more photos from Kyoto on my Flickr pages at

Great Egret (Ardea alba), Kyoto, Japan

AVAR, Japan 2009
Originally uploaded by njtrout_2000

The scenery and wildlife were easily viewed in Kyoto, Japan. The were dozens of Great Egrets, Grey Heron and other birds at this location. None were shy about having people around. Amazing to get so close to photograph and observe this beautiful bird.

Andy