Author: vc-dev

Lots of berries again this year

weather: Clear Temperature: 6 ℃

Even though it’s mid-November, there is no snow on the ground here in Sounkyo. The snow that fell last month has melted in the hot spring village.
However, the weather forecast predicts snow from tomorrow. The temperature should stay low after that, meaning that Sounkyo is going to get cold again.
Meanwhile, the Sorbus commixta berries are growing thick again this year.
There are various possible reasons for their remarkable growth this year. One is the good weather we enjoyed during the blossoming season. And another is that the low rainfall allowed the pollen to remain in the air, which in turn led to a higher pollination rate.
In recent days, flocks of Turdus eunomus and Coccothraustes coccothraustes have appeared to feed on the berries.
I wonder if Bombycilla garrulus will also make their usual appearance this year.
Photo: Sorbus commixta berries Nov. 12

Announcing a change in Visitor Center hours

weather: Cloudy Temperature: 7 ℃

I would like to give a sincere “thank you” to everyone who has visited our Visitor Center and/or used its website.
Please note that as of tomorrow there will be a change in the Visitor Center’s opening and closing times.
From November until May, the center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will also be closed on Mondays (the following day if Monday is a national holiday) during this same period.
Thank you for your understanding. October 31, 2014

Sounkyo’s first snow

weather: Snow Temperature: -4 ℃

The snow has finally arrived even in Sounkyo.
The first snow fell on the 16th last year, which means this year is about two weeks behind.
The forecast predicts higher temperatures in the days ahead, so it will likely only last a little while before melting. Nonetheless, repeated snows such as this mark the full-scale arrival of winter.
Photo: Sorbus commixta berries hidden by snow Oct. 28

A new winter coat

weather: Clear

The Vulpes vulpes schrencki have grown new bushy winter coats. (The process begins at the end of September.)
I think the foxes look more attractive in their winter coats.
While they tend to look slightly skinny in their summer coats, they present a very charming appearance in winter.
Photo: Vulpes vulpes schrencki Oct. 23

Needle ice

weather: Clear

It is very cold again today.
The temperature outside the center early this morning was -7°C.
In this environment, ice columns called “needle ice” can form. Such ice can be seen very early on cold mornings.
Needle ice forms when water in the ground freezes. However it is different from the frost that forms when moisture in the air freezes.
When the ground’s surface is cooled by changes in the temperature, water in the ground moves up to the surface.
When this water freezes and grows at the surface, the result is needle ice. Today I saw needle ice of over 10 cm in length covering a wide area.
Photos: Needle ice Oct. 23