Spider Lily

You know it's fall in Japan when the Red Spider Lilies come out. In Japanese they are called "higanbana." While interesting and beautiful on their own, the bright red flower flush against the green of surrounding foliage, or even better rice fields, makes the scene into something remarkable.

I have an odd memory attached to these flowers though. I went to a park featuring them when I was just starting feeling symptoms of food poisoning two years ago. I didn't get to enjoy them as I was laying on a bench sleeping as my fever grew hotter. Oh well! Maybe I'll go again this year.