R.I.P. Takuma

Takuma was one of the first people I met in DC. Whenever I told him I was coming he would always make a point of meeting me at the zoo. This meant a lot to me as travel was difficult. He would always meet me at Bandit's exhibit and wait with me for her to make her appearance. This was the time that I got to talk with Takuma. He was always giving me helpful hints about my Nikon and once when I was about to panic because my camera wouldn't work he calmly took it, looked it over and flipped a switch. I was back in business. It was always a pleasure to go around the zoo with him as he seemed to know just about the entire collection and could answer most any question.
I don't know what my future visits will be like, however I do know they will never be the same...

To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and
install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player.

Comments

atomicdolll [deleted] says:

This is beautiful Val!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

dobesmile says:

Wonderful tribute. I am so sorry you lost your friend. It seems like we lose the good ones too soon.

Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Fr Antunes says:

beautiful shot

((please opt in to darckr to help make my contact's page beautiful))
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

hvhe1 says:

Oh my..... I have goose bumps all over seeing this tribute...
Seems way too young......
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

atiTR says:

so cool!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

stonedistrict (no time to upload atm) says:

I'm very sorry for your loss.
You've made a beautifull tribute.
Take care.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

pearceval says:

A beautiful tribute Val, so sorry about your friend ... very sad news indeed.
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Nounou 12 Maryse (Back but problem computer also) says:

I do not understand all but I believe that it is a sad news, sorry who you are in the sorrow

With all my friendship
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

kelpie1 says:

A very special tribute, sorry for your loss
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Dan Sutton (mailmandan) says:

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
Sounds like you have some wonderful memories to cherish. Take care, my friend.
Danny :o)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

digbytoast says:

What a touching tribute to your friend.
He sounds like a truly wonderful person who gave much to the humans and animals he encountered.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

AllieW (busy) says:

Lovely tribute. My deepest sympathies,
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

A Moment of Magic says:

A beautiful tribute to a dear friend. My thoughts are with you.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

blueintheburgh says:

This is so very sad! Takuma was an outstanding photographer and a wonderful Flickr friend. May he rest in peace.

Beautiful tribute to him.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Franks Photos says:

Beautiful, and so thoughtful..........
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

ajay77* says:

An inspired tribute to Takuma and the animals that he loved! Thank you Valerie!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

shotzy says:

What a beautiful tribute to a friend.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

affetto*m says:

very sorry for the loss of your friend. :o(
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

[Christine] says:

This is such sad news for the Flickr community. Takuma was a great friend and inspiration to every one of us.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

wanderlust says:

What a lovely and moving tribute.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend, it sounds like he really gave alot of himself to you.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

deegs says:

Impossible to replace but cherish the memories and learning he imparted into your life. Wonderful tribute Valerie.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

RoxandaBear says:

That you Valerie for a beautiful and loving tribute to our beloved zoo friend. His spirit lives on but he truly will be missed.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

M de Moss photography says:

Goodness, what a beautiful tribute
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Nikographer [Jon] says:

Rest in peace my friend.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

somesai says:

beautiful tribute
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Ann's wild animals- off for swim team duties- says:

Oh Valerie, what a loving tribute for a great friend and a gentle soul . He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and admired him . Yes, the zoo will never be the same now ...goodbye Takuma...
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

cilinia powell says:

Wonderful tribute Valerie and he will be missed!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

tammyjq41 says:

Oh Valerie this is a gorgeous tribute to him!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Ginny . and the Chickadees [ summer vacation ] says:

i am so sorry to hear of the loss of a great artist and friend. you are very fortunate to have met him and share in his wisdom. his memory will live on in your heart... from your story, i can only imagine how excited he must have been to have the opportunity to share his passion with another. you made his day, too.

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

funkymelody says:

Oh I'm so sorry :(
I hope you are doing ok...
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

crawdog says:

Thanks Valerie. I really appreciate you making this touching tribute to Takuma.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

CeeCeeDotCa says:

wonderful tribute to your dear friend,Takuma
Keep the memories alive and deep in your heart

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

japmlp41 says:

What a beautiful friendship ! Thankfully, we never lose the memories we have shared. You have my deepest sympathy, Val.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Saveena (AKA LHDugger) says:

Oh my... this is so wonderful! He was such a fantastic photographer and always so kind.

~I SNIFFED out this wonderful image!
You deserve this nose worthy award!
Please ADD your
Impressively beautiful
photo to~

Impressed by your Beauty! (Invite only images)
Please tag your photos ImpressedBeauty

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

digitalART2 says:

Beautiful montage! Wonderful tribute!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Groove Kitten1 says:

Wow Valerie this is so beautiful! There's definitely a large void at the zoo now. I will miss him!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Murmurmel says:

I'm glad you had a photo of him to post...
I knew Takuma by sight from the Zoo's photo club, tho sadly I did not ever get to know him personally.

But tho I don't get to the zoo nearly as often as I'd like, I would see him nearly EVERY time I went, usually in animated conversation with a fellow photographer as they watched the animals & took pics & discussed gear & technique... (such as how to shoot the Clouded Leopards thru the fence, lol!!)

His passion for the animals and for photography was very clear. My sincere condolences to his family and friends....
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

eraut says:

Very touching tribute for a dear Flickr Friend.
Simply beautiful. Very thoughtful gesture indeed.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

FŏtFōtō (formerly Canvas Creations) says:

wonderful tribute, so sad to hear this news.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

seeit_snapit says:

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

susie 1 says:

Beautiful tribute, sorry to hear of the loss of a friend, I'm sure he will still be with you when you go to the zoo.
Take care my friend!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

basilly says:

God I'm so sorry...blessings.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Boomer-23 says:

Great tribute to Takuma, Val!

He was an inspiration!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

ѕhadowdancer says:

Wonderful tribute, Val... while I never got to meet Takuma in person, we often shared ideas and thoughts in email about how to make the Animal Kingdom group better as co-admins.... he was very selective on which of my photos he would choose to comment on, so when I saw that he had commented, I always took that as encouragement that I was headed in the right direction. Takuma didn't stand for people being treated badly and would always stand up for his friends. We're going to miss him.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

beautiful work. have a great day, fabulous flicks
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

zugpandy says:

I know that you always looked forward to seeing Takuma at the zoo and especially at Bandit's site. I am so sorry for this loss! I know that you mentioned to me that he was helpful to you.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

TAIwiffic says:

Beautiful Tribute! Badit was out today sharig her beauty, and maybe waiting for Takuma.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Vera Le Bail says:

Life can be so hard. I am empathizing with you. You will treasure his memory forever.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

~ M e l i s s a ~ says:

Oh Val, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope it brings comfort to you knowing that he is in the hands of God and will always be with you in spirit.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

scott185 says:

I am so sorry for your loss, Valerie. He must have been an amazing person.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Nieblung says:

That's a really good shot of him. I just found out the sad news. I was wondering why I haven't heard from him. I only met him once, but he was such a nice guy and one hell of a photographer.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

ZooPhotoGirl says:

I invite you all to join us on Tuesday, July 1, at 6 p.m. at the Panda Cafe at the National Zoo to honor the passing of our friend Takuma Akiba and to celebrate his life with our memories and thoughts. His family has been invited and may be in attendance. We will have the FONZ Photo Club meeting at 7 p.m. in the Visitor's Center Auditorium following the gathering.

We are also accepting donations in order to plant a tree at the National Zoo in the fall in honor of Takuma. If you would like to make a donation, please make a check out to FONZ and write "In honor of Takuma Akiba" in the notes section. You may send it to my attention at the following address:

Nicole Popovich
FONZ
PO Box 37012 MRC 5516
Washington, DC 20013-7012

I will contact you later this year when we have a date for the tree planting if you would like to attend.

I hope to see you all on July 1 at the Panda Cafe (located across from the emu yard).
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

amethystrainn says:

Beautiful and moving tribute, Valerie. I am so sorry you lost your friend.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Would you like to comment?

[?]

	ucumari's photostream
		3,821 uploads

Additional Information

Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Taken with a Nikon D300.
More properties
Taken on June 15, 2008

15 people call this photo a favorite

Viewed 612 times

Add to your map

Yay location removed

...

(Some formats are OK.)

Or, remove it from the map.

Go to the map

You	Sign in \| Create Your Free Account
Explore	Places \| Last 7 Days \| This Month \| Popular Tags \| The Commons \| Creative Commons \| Search
Help	Community Guidelines \| The Help Forum \| FAQ \| Sitemap \| Help by Email