Author: vc-dev

I recently encountered yet another Vulpes vulpes schrencki.
Usually when we meet, the fox bolts off. But, surprisingly, this one came trotting toward me.
The encounter happened while I was in a car. The fox came up and sat right in front of me. I opened the window and took a photo. And as soon as I did the fox came right up to my window.
Foxes are not like monkeys, so I did not expect it to attack me. Still, I did feel a slight bit of fear.
I closed the window and drove away, but the fox followed. “Hmm… This is a fox that is accustomed to people,” I thought.
Judging from its appearance, I guessed that it was still a juvenile and had probably just separated from its parent last year. Obviously it could not capture prey on its own and had become used to being fed by humans.
In a way, I wanted to say “Well done!” to it for managing to survive the severe winter, but then again…
Visitors, please; never feed the wildlife.
I should add that the fox had a bushy tail.
Photos: Vulpes vulpes schrencki at Sounkyo Apr. 29

Daisetsuzan National Park’s 80th anniversary “Stamp Rally” has begun.
People who visit the three designated visitor centers (the Higashitaisetsu Nature Center [Nukabira Onsen], Asahidake Visitor Center [Asahidake Onsen], and Sounkyo Visitor Center [Sounkyo Onsen]) plus the hot spring facilities in those locations and/or hot spring village facilities within Daisetsuzan National Park (locations are noted in the stamp booklet) can receive an original hand towel or enter a drawing for specialty products, an accommodations coupon, or a meal coupon.
We invite you to use this opportunity to visit the visitor centers and fully enjoy all that the national park has to offer.
The Stamp Rally will be held from April 26 to January 31, 2015.
Please ask a staff member for more information.
How you can win:
Example 1: Visit all three visitor centers + use two hot spring facilities: Receive an original hand towel
Example 2: Visit all three visitor centers + use four hot spring facilities: Enter a drawing for specialty products
Example 3: Visit all three visitor centers + use six hot spring facilities: Enter a drawing to receive an accommodations or meal coupon.
Photo: The Stamp Rally poster Apr. 26

The number of hours that a Sciurus vulgaris orientis is active during the day varies depending on the season.
The weather has become warmer recently, and the squirrels are now active throughout the day.
During the spring, the squirrels are generally active during the morning (after which they are in their nests), while in the summer, they are active from sunrise to sunset. Although it’s difficult to make promises when it comes to nature, it should be possible to see squirrels at any time of the day
from now on.
Photo: A Sciurus vulgaris orientis in Kamikawa Town Apr. 26

The Anemone debilis (himeichige in Japanese) have bloomed in Kamikawa Park (Kamikawa Town).
They are blooming about a half-month earlier than last year, when they bloomed on May 9.
Although often seen in alpine meadows, they can also be found in the lower mountains.
A member of the Ranunculaceae family, the Anemone debilis is written in kanji as 姫一花(華) (himeichige). The 姫 (hime; lit. princess) expresses a “gentle” or “endearing” sense, while 一花 (ichige; lit. one flower) means, as its name suggests, “bearing just one flower.”
It is the slenderest and most delicate of all the springtime flowers. Very soon, Anemone debilis will form flowering landscapes resembling white carpeting.
Photo: A Anemone debilis in Kamikawa Town Apr. 26

The temperature outside the center right now is 13°C.
This is the warmest it has been this spring.
Right now, even the Corydalis fumariifolia subsp. azurea are blooming in Kamikawa Park (Kamikawa Town).
The already blooming Adonis ramose have grown tall and the number of flowers is increasing noticeably.
It looks like spring is arriving in all of its magnificence.
Have we finally said good-bye to the snow?
Photos: Corydalis fumariifolia subsp. azurea (left) and Adonis ramose (right) in Kamikawa Town Apr. 24