Misako

@misakouroco

Avid hiker, depth voyager. Love PNW. Goofball. Haiku Poet, Author, Weekend Photographer. Asian American Voter #RESIST 💙🌊🐸 We carry lights in our tears, sorrow behind our smiles, and hold strength in our hearts. Blog:

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Bluesky

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Misako@misakouroco· 4d

My latest "Tonight, Let It Rain: Ten Stories from Tokyo for When the World Feels Heavy" is finally here! Bluesky Social wasn't even available for us when I started working on this: it's been a long road ✨ For my friends here, I made a sample read PDF: drive.google.com/file/d/1bi5P... 💙🌧️

An open cardboard shipping box, photographed from above at an angle, holding author copies of the paperback Tonight, Let It Rain. Crumpled brown kraft paper is pushed to one side. Five or six copies are fanned out, some face-up and some standing on their spines. The cover is a deep indigo watercolor wash that pools dark at the top and lightens toward the bottom, flecked with small pale specks like rain or distant stars. The title is set in white script: Tonight, Let It Rain. Beneath it in smaller letters: Ten Stories from Tokyo for When the World Feels Heavy. The spines read YOKE. Warm daylight falls across the box.

Misako@misakouroco· 6d

A rounded hummingbird loves my fuchsia basket so much, and today I finally understand why. This hummer is missing legs. Up in the sky, it's completely boundless. Down here, these flowered branches are its safe pedestal. I’ll be keeping this pot extra bushy for our resilient little friend 🌸✨

A dense, hanging basket overflowing with fuchsia flowers and small green leaves. The blooms feature bright magenta outer sepals and ruffled, pastel-pink to lavender inner petals, with long, delicate stamens hanging down. Numerous unopened buds are scattered throughout the foliage, and a light-colored wooden deck is visible in the upper right background.

Misako@misakouroco· 14d

Between the Pacific Ocean and the dark lava rock shore, two anglers stood, held together — by the island, by the sea, and by each other. That's Ohana, a family. And the island, so generous it made room for me, a stranger's full heart in the trade winds. A memory from Oahu ✨🏝️ #ColorADay #BlueTue

A man stands on a dark, rugged rocky shoreline, fishing with a rod. He wears a black short-sleeved shirt and dark shorts, and is facing the ocean with his back partially turned toward the viewer. Almost overwrapping to him is a young boy wearing a bright yellow shirt, holding his fishing pole, standing to the man closely. The sea before them is vast and choppy, its deep blue waters stretching to the horizon under a sky. Waves roll in forcefully, breaking into white foam at the edge of the rocks. In the left foreground, lush green foliage, coastal bushes frames the scene, while a small patch of light-colored sand is visible on the right side of the shore.

Misako@misakouroco· 19d

The clouds are rolling in. The inlet starts stirring to greet the passing rain. Soft, steady, much-needed, however brief. Wishing you all a gentle pause. Take care, friends 🙏🌦️ #PNW #Mobilephotography

A vertical, atmospheric landscape photograph capturing a wide, windswept body of water surrounded by forested ridges under a dark, storm-filled sky:
Dark, dramatic storm clouds in heavy shades of charcoal and slate gray fill the top two-thirds of the frame. A bright, narrow band of pale gray light glows softly along the distant horizon where the sky meets the water.
Choppy, deep teal-green water spans the center of the image, rippling with small whitecaps. Near the bottom foreground, the water turns lighter and clearer over the shore.
In the bottom left foreground, a narrow strip of tan, pebbly shore meets the water. Rising on the left is a steep ridge covered in dense evergreen trees. In the far distance, low dark-blue mountain silhouettes trace the horizon.

Misako@misakouroco· 21d

Layer upon layer of quiet, uniting blue: a sea of mountains stretching out to the Pacific Ocean, under the soft blue sky.💙 #PNW #ColorADay #BlueTue

A vertical photograph looking out over multiple layered mountain ridges under a bright, pale blue sky. The foreground and midground mountains are covered in dense dark evergreen foliage, showing textured, jagged peaks. As the mountain ranges stretch toward the distant horizon, atmospheric haze creates a monochrome gradient, shifting the deep navy-blue ridges of the foreground into softer slate blue, indigo, and finally pale cyan ridges in the far distance. The horizon line is high in the frame, bathed in smooth, bright daylight.

Misako@misakouroco· 22d

The rustling evergreens behind me and cresting waves sang in unison. I felt at home where two worlds meet, in the in-between. There are times when belonging is not a destination, but a point along the journey ⛰️🥾🌊 Take care, everyone 💙 #BlueskyMonday #MobilePhotography #NaturePhotography #PNW

A vertical landscape shot of a coastal shoreline under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds on the right. The foreground features a dark, sloped beach composed of small pebbles, gravel, and crushed white seashells that form soft, parallel white lines along the shore. Small, cresting waves with white foam gently lap against the dark beach. The water shifts from a deep navy blue near the shore to a brilliant teal and turquoise further out, where the wind creates tiny whitecaps across the surface. In the background, a long, continuous ridge covered in a dense, dark green evergreen forest stretches across the horizon under the morning light.

Misako@misakouroco· Jul 13

Olympic National Park's Grand Valley Loop lives up to its name in every way. I'm sending this humble plea that we preserve what's already whole, untraded, unbuilt. May we learn to hold what has always held us 🙏🏞️ Take care, friends 🤝 #Stunday #Nature #PNW #Publicland #Parkchat

A wide, scenic landscape shot of a pristine alpine lake with vibrant, rippling teal and turquoise water under a bright blue sky. In the mid-ground, a small shoreline peninsula lined with tall, pointed green evergreen trees juts into the clear water from the right. In the background, a massive mountain ridge densely covered in evergreen forest rises sharply, culminating in a rugged, rocky alpine crest. A cluster of fluffy white clouds drifts across the upper right sky, casting a brilliant, natural daylight over the entire peaceful wilderness scene.

Misako@misakouroco· Jul 9

Can you see the bee in the flower? It looked so comfortable resting. I was actually about to deadhead this fading one that grew way taller than the others. But how could I? I planted these from seeds for the pollinators; they're in charge of the cleanup schedule. 😍🐝 #bloomscroll

A crisp, top-down close-up of a fuzzy bumblebee resting in the center of a light purple cornflower (bachelor's button). The bee is positioned on the left side of the flower's dark violet, textured center, its black and bright yellow striped body nestled snugly against the delicate, fringed petals. The main purple flower is in sharp focus, while the background softly blurs into a lush, vibrant meadow filled with an abundance of pink, white, and deep blue cornflowers tucked among green leaves and stems.

Misako@misakouroco· Jul 4

Sometimes the smallest things carry the deepest strength. Right in the middle of the dry, rocky ground, this tiny four-leaf clover gave me a smile. Grow, grow, tiny one! There's a passing rain coming for you 🍀🌦️🌈 Happy Independence Day 🗽 May much-needed joy and hope prevail 🤝🫶💙

A close-up, top-down shot of green clover plants growing out of rocky, earthy ground. In the center-left, a vibrant, larger three-leaf clover sits prominently over smooth, grey river stones and a piece of dried, brown bark. To its right, a slightly smaller, distinct four-leaf clover is tucked among the stones and dry leaves, its four heart-shaped leaflets clearly visible. The background

Misako@misakouroco· Jul 2

A fallen branch hit a portion of my tiny meadow, forcing me to cut some blooms. The morning mist still shimmers and clings to them— —mirroring the tingling of bittersweetness in my heart. Beauty often finds a way to be gathered, even in the aftermath of a fall. Take care, everyone ✨💐 #bloomscroll

A close-up photograph displays a vibrant, hand-held bouquet of delicate wildflowers set against a textured, dark teal-tiled background. A person's forearm and hand enter from the bottom left, gently lifting the bundle of blooms.
The arrangement is anchored by few cornflowers near the center: one is a soft lavender-blue with a intricate, dark purple spiky heart, and just below it, a second cornflower shows deeper shades of royal blue and rich violet. Interwoven around these central stars is a lively collection of smaller delicate blossoms, which contains:
-Soft pink and lavender color flowers with five petals and bright yellow centers cluster on the left and upper left.
-Tiny white wildflowers with their simple star-like shapes, are scattered throughout the top right and upper edges.
-Magenta and deep pink blossoms weave through the right side, adding pops of concentrated color.
-Large, smooth green leaves fan out at the base of the bouquet, mist on them, framing the delicate stems and petals with natural greenery.
The lighting is soft and natural, emphasizing the fresh textures of the petals.

Misako@misakouroco· Jul 1

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends and family! 🍁 This photo is from a visit to Victoria years ago. The Coho Ferry had a "Free round-trip walk-on fare on your birthday" offer from my side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, so I jumped on that (literally)! Enjoyed a little magic by being a July kid✨😆

A large horticultural sculpture in the shape of an orca whale rises from a planted wave in a public area. The orca is formed entirely from dense foliage: its main body is covered in dark purple plants, with lighter green patches suggesting the whale’s natural markings along its side and near the dorsal fin. The orca’s body is arched as if leaping out of the water, with its head angled upward and tail curved behind, creating a sense of motion. Beneath it, the wave is represented by low, grass-like green plants that curve around the base, echoing the shape of a cresting ocean swell.

Around the sculpture is a wide flower bed filled with mixed blooms and foliage. White daisies with yellow centers are scattered among clusters of pink, red, orange, and yellow flowers, creating a bright, multicolored border. Larger plants with deep red leaves add height and contrast near the front of the display. In the background, a multi-story historic building with ornate architectural details—tall windows, decorative stonework, and balconies—frames the scene. At street level, there are outdoor café tables shaded by yellow and blue umbrellas, and several people walking or standing nearby, suggesting a busy urban plaza or garden exhibition. The overall atmosphere is lively and playful, highlighting the creative use of plants to form a lifelike marine sculpture in the middle of the city.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 29

As a sunset permeates the deep fjord, May this gentle glow be a quiet respite, soothing our weary souls. Take care, everyone 🙏💕🌈 #sunset #PNW #stunday

A vertical, wide-angle shot of a calm body of water at dusk, taken from a dark, pebbly shoreline in the bottom left corner. The clear, dark water gently ripples, revealing scattered white shells or pebbles submerged just beneath the surface near the shore. In the background, the smooth water stretches toward distant, dark, forested hills meeting at the horizon under a twilight sky. A soft band of warm peach and pastel pink sunset light glows just above the hills, contrasted by heavy, dark, layered grey clouds filling the upper portion of the sky. The peaceful sky and the warm sunset tones cast a soft, muted reflection across the glassy surface of the water.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 24

Tiger Lilies, nodding in the woods. The petals curled back to show their freckled smiles and gazed at the ground that held them. Such strength and grace ✨ I felt a few strands of cooler air touch my skin. A much-needed rain may be on its way. I hope so! #PNW #Wildflower #NaturePhotography

A close-up, eye-level shot of a vibrant orange Columbia lily (tiger lily) in full bloom, growing on a partially sunny, grassy hillside. The main flower is in sharp focus on the right, hanging downward with its bright orange petals strongly recurved or curled backward, revealing dark reddish-brown freckles on the inside. Several prominent stamens with dark, pollen-heavy anthers hang down from the center. In the blurred background to the left, a second orange lily is visible, along with lush green foliage, lupine leaves, and a rocky slope bathed in soft, natural sunlight.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 22

Celebrating fathers of all kinds today. The ones we can hold, and the ones who live on in our hearts and the quiet spaces above 💙🌟 To every soul who has stepped into this role: your presence and memory shape our worlds more than you know. 🙏

A tall Douglas fir tree stands prominently on a grassy hill, silhouetted against a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. The sun shines from directly behind the dense branches, casting long, dark shadows down the slope toward the foreground.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 19

Happy Juneteenth! ❤️💛💚🖤 Let us honor the courage and resilience of those who fought for equal freedom. The fight continues... May our collective journey toward a truly equitable future run deep and strong🙏 A photo from The Dosewallips River Trail , WA🌲

A vibrant, high-angle shot of a powerful, rushing river flowing through a lush, wild canyon. The water is bright white as it churns into rapids and spills over several small, tiered waterfalls. Massive, dark grey boulders—many slick with moisture and patches of green moss—are scattered throughout the riverbed, breaking up the flow. Several weathered, fallen big tree trunks are caught between the rocks and waterfalls. The left bank rises steeply, covered in rich green moss and flanked by dense, towering evergreen trees that extend to the top of the frame. In the foreground, a mossy, light-green rocky ledge overlooks the dramatic water feature below.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 17

✨Juneteenth is approaching! ✨ The state of WA offers free day-use entry at all state parks on June 19th👍🌲 (usually $11/day or $50/yr - yes, prices were up...) Find your parks: parks.wa.gov/find-parks The photo from Mima Falls, in Capitol State Forest a few years back, in June😍 #PNW #Waterfalls

A small waterfall flows over dark, moss-covered rocks into a shallow, clear pool. A thick fallen tree trunk, also coated in bright green moss, stretches along the water. Dense foliage surrounds the waterfall; ferns, leafy plants, and slender tree trunks fill the background, creating a lush, green wall of vegetation. Sunlight filters through the forest canopy from above and to the side, casting dappled patches of light on the water, rocks, and moss, while other areas remain in cool shade. The overall mood is quiet and serene.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 13

Unexpected Duo: Poppies are from a single seed pod that was in a gift bouquet, and chamomile is from an expired teabag (!), which I got curious if they grew and sprinkled last fall. 😍 Wishing you all a peaceful and restorative weekend ✨

A lush, vibrant mix of blooming chamomile plants and bright pink poppies growing closely together in an outdoor container next to a wooden deck railing. Chamomile Plants (Left and Center): A dense, bushy mass of delicate, bright green chamomile foliage with highly divided, feathery, fern-like leaves fills the left and center of the frame. Rising above the green foliage are numerous slender stems topped with small flowers in various stages of bloom. Some are tight, rounded green buds; others are half-open with prominent, dome-shaped bright yellow centers and downward-draped or emerging white petals. A few taller stems reach toward the top of the frame, showing off classic daisy-like blossoms.Poppies (Right): On the right side of the image, three elegant poppies stand tall on slender, curved green stems. The largest poppy head is in the lower right foreground, fully open into a delicate, cup-like shape. Its crinkled petals are a soft, radiant coral-pink on the edges, shading into a striking, deep violet-purple smudge at the very base of the bowl.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 5

There is a tender, almost sacred relief in the hushed space between the rains, nestled in the woods. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone 🍃🌲 #ForestFriday #PNW #ForestBathing #vinemaple

A view into a lush forest canopy dominated by vibrant green vine maples. Two slender, dark tree trunks rise from the bottom center. Their branches spread upwards and outward like a delicate web across the frame. Sunlight filters through the dense layers of translucent, multi-pointed green leaves, creating a glowing, stained-glass effect. The upper canopy forms a nearly solid roof of brilliant green, with only tiny slivers of bright blue sky peeking through the foliage in the upper left. The background is filled with a soft, layered blur of additional green leaves and branches, giving a deep sense of being immersed inside a sunlit, peaceful woodland.

Misako@misakouroco· Jun 2

The rainbow shines not despite the rain, but because of it. A passing rain's gift with Pride Month wishes 🌈 🤝🌈

Misako@misakouroco· May 28

Finally got a chance to visit there, and oh my, I must come back again! Gems I found: Chiton's shell looked like holding its own tidepool, brilliant red, Pacific Blood Star, Purple sea urchins, a flower-like Aggregating anemone! I love seeing them in their natural habitat SO much 😍 Tongue Point, WA

A close-up of a rocky Pacific Northwest beach scattered with small shells and smooth stones. At the center is a brightly colored chiton's shell with turquoise-blue plates and an orange border, standing out sharply against the muted grays and beiges of the surrounding rocks.

A vivid red starfish nestled among slick, dark rocks. Around it are clusters of barnacles, mussels with deep grey-black shells, and strands of yellow-green seaweed on the left. The starfish’s saturated color glows against the muted browns and grays of the intertidal zone, making it the quiet focal point in a scene full of wet textures, tiny shells, and the soft sheen of seawater.

Clusters of dark, glossy mussels gripping the rocks, surrounded by round purple sea urchins tucked into crevices. Soft pink coralline algae spreads across the stone like a muted watercolor wash. Beneath the clear water, scattered shells, drifting seaweed, and textured rock surfaces create layers of color.

A close view of a tide pool shows a rough rock ledge dotted with tiny white barnacles. Beneath it (on the left), a dark reddish sea star with pale speckles is tucked into the shadowed space. Below, several aggregating anemones cling to the rock — their soft green bodies opening into rings of tentacles tipped in pink, like tiny underwater blossoms. The stones around them are washed in muted browns and pinks from algae and marine growth.

Misako@misakouroco· May 25

It’s been way too long since I picked up a brush. Incredibly hard to stop (that's the reason I avoided it for this long), but calling it a wrap for now. Hopefully I'll pick it up before too long. To push myself, I'm uploading it here🎨 It's so soothing to watercolor foggy forests 🏞️

A high-angle photograph of a work-in-progress watercolor painting taped down to a wooden clipboard on a desk. The painting depicts a misty, atmospheric forest landscape under a soft sunset. The top half of the painting features a gentle sky blending soft blues, muted pinks, and a warm yellow glow just above a dark, distant mountain ridge. Below the ridge, layers of evergreen trees emerge from a heavy, gray watercolor wash that perfectly mimics thick fog. The trees in the background are faded and soft-edged, while the pine trees in the immediate foreground are painted with darker, detailed black and gray brushstrokes. Watercolor brushes and a plastic palette with blue paint reside neatly to the right of the clipboard.

Misako@misakouroco· May 14

Sit here with me for a moment 🏞️ May the river wash through our weary hearts, let us feel the mountains' quiet strength in its timeless flow. Take care, friends 🫶 #PNW #MobilePhotography #Nature #Hiking #Photography

First-person perspective looking down at the toes of brown, lace-up hiking boots resting on a rocky riverbank. Beside the left boot sits a large, smooth, light-gray river stone. Immediately in front of the boots, clear, shallow water flows over a bed of multicolored rocks. The river stretches wide across the image, its surface sparkling brilliantly with early afternoon sunlight. The water's color transitions from transparent in the shallows to a vibrant, deep teal in the center. In the background, the far shoreline consists of gray river stones, a long fallen log resting horizontally, and a dense line of lush green trees under the sunshine.

Misako@misakouroco· May 13

Wildflowers in bloom lead A trail unfolds and follow Mountains and sky, watch #RedWed #ColorADay #PNW #Hiking #MobilePhotography Common Red Paintbrush were in bloom, oh my SO vivid 😍

A tall mountain peak glows in warm sunlight, standing above layers of dark green evergreen forested mountains. In the foreground, a hillside slopes downward, dotted with vivid red-orange wildflowers that catch the light. A narrow dirt trail curves along the right edge, guiding the eye toward the mountains. The scene feels quiet and expansive, with the contrast between sunlit peak and shaded forest creating a sense of depth and calm.

Misako@misakouroco· May 11

When I reached at the top, the world opened up—sharp, jagged, and magnificent. My heart leaped. Take care, friends 🤝 #OlympicNationalForest #Hiking #PNW #publicland #MountainMonday

A high-angle panoramic view of a vast mountain range under a pale blue sky with wispy white clouds. In the foreground, a rugged, rocky slope features bright green subalpine fir trees and patches of dry earth. The midground shows a steep ridge with a lingering line of white snow cutting across a dense, dark green forest. In the distance, several sharp, jagged mountain peaks are heavily capped with snow, their blue-toned shadows defining the deep valleys between them. The perspective creates a sense of immense scale and crisp, high-altitude clarity.

Misako@misakouroco· May 11

Ascending Marmot Pass, diving into the fog—fluid, soft, and embracing. My heart trembled. Take care, friends 🤝 #OlympicNationalForest #Hiking #PNW #publicland #Mobilephotography

A steep, rocky mountainside trail winds upward through a dense, heavy fog. On the left slope, dark evergreen trees fade into a thick grey mist, their jagged silhouettes becoming increasingly faint as they recede into the background. The foreground is composed of grey shale and loose rocks, with small patches of green grass and plants clinging to the rugged terrain. The overall atmosphere is quiet, cold, and mysterious.

Misako@misakouroco· May 5

I'll be offline for a bit; venturing into the #PNW wilderness: into the fogs, soft drizzle, and endless greens. Looking forward to capturing some beauty to share when I get back. Take care, friends. See you next week🌲

An image of a fast-moving river with churning white water rushing towards the bottom right corner through a dense, lush forest. The left riverbank features dark rocks thickly coated in vibrant green moss. Bright, fresh spring foliage hangs over the water from the Big Leaf Maple trees lining the banks, with tall, dark-green conifers filling the background beneath a soft, overcast sky.

Misako@misakouroco· Apr 30

A fawn lily bows to the earth. Each dewdrop holds a story of the night that just passed. The sky might have shed its tears a bit... Take care, friends 🤝 #PNW #WildFlowers #fawnlily #mobilephotography

A close-up photo of a fawn lily flower taken from above. The flower has four delicate, pointed petals drooping slightly and covered in tiny, clear water droplets. Its slender, reddish-brown stem curves down from the base. A green and white mottled leaf, also dotted with dew, is at the bottom. The background is a dense, mossy forest floor with scattered brown evergreen needles, twigs, and patches of green moss, with a fern on the top left and a trail in the distance. The lighting is diffused and natural, highlighting the texture of the flower and the dewdrops.

Misako@misakouroco· Apr 27

Rushing down the mountainside, the stream murmurs, sings, whispers. The ferns lean in to listen, and the salmon berry blossoms nod. The season flows, and the world follows— #PNW #wildflowers #hiking #mobilephotography #nature

A vibrant, fast-flowing mountain stream cascading down a rocky slope. The churning, white water rushes around dark stones and a prominent, large boulder in the center that is entirely blanketed in bright, plush green moss. In the foreground, a delicate plant with small, bright pink blossoms reaches up on the left, while lush green fern fronds frame the bottom and right edges. Fallen logs and bare twigs rest naturally among the heavily moss-covered banks in the background, capturing the fresh, dynamic energy of a changing season.

Misako@misakouroco· Apr 24

Fairy Slipper orchid in bloom😍 They get energy from the light & team up with a particular fungus to grow. Tiny yet mighty, as long as we don't mess with them. Let us dream that forest fairies slip their tiny feet into these delights...🧚 Take care, friends 🤝🌿 #PNW #Wildflowers #ForestFriday #nature

A top-down photograph of a lush forest floor in the early morning, featuring two vibrant Calypso orchids (also known as fairy slipper or lady's slipper orchids). The central and smaller orchids are in sharp focus, showcasing their intricate magenta-pink petals and detailed slipper-shaped labellums, which feature purple and white veining with small, speckled brown patterns. Both flowers rise from a dense bed of light green mosses and feathery lichens, interspersed with a complex network of small, dry twigs, pine needles, and decomposing leaves. The specific basal leaf directly below the larger central orchid is also in sharp detail, alongside a cluster of other green leaves in the foreground. The entire scene is emphasizing the wildflowers and the rich woodland environment in the soft light.

Misako@misakouroco· Apr 18

A trillium unfurls beneath an ancient tree. Its delicate petals echo the quiet strength of the forest that cradles it. 🌿 Ah, this small pocket of serenity... Take care, everyone 🤝 #mobilephotography #nature #PNW #bloomscrolling #wildflowers