Author: vc-dev

Today has been clear and sunny since the early morning.
The gorge is covered with soft rime for the second consecutive day.
But it’s very cold…
The temperature fell to the lowest it has been this winter.
The entire hot spring village is covered with snow, and the tracks of Cervus nippon yesoensis, Vulpes vulpes schrencki, Mustela nivalis, and other animals have been spotted.
Looking for animal tracks is one of the fun things to do during the winter.
And some very good ones have already been seen.
Photos: Sounkyo Gorge Nov. 9

The gorge is covered with snow.
Early this morning, the rain turned to snow and covered the gorge with soft rime.
What appears to be a large rock in the second photograph is actually the top of the Panoramadai lookout, which is visible from the Visitor Center.
It takes about one hour to climb up to the lookout. It is a “hidden spot” that affords a bird’s-eye view of the hot spring village and Daisetsuzan mountain range from the top.
Climbing to it without proper equipment now is difficult. The center will notify the public when the time for climbing arrives. (Photos of the view from the top are printed in the fall foliage map provided in Visitor Center Report 51.)
Photo: Sounkyo Gorge Nov. 8

Just after 3:00 yesterday afternoon, a lenticular cloud appeared in the sky above.
This single cloud had a disk-like shape that somehow gave it an eerie appearance.
Lenticular clouds form on the leeward side of an area of rough topography when a strong wind blows from the south.
It is said that they often appear when a low-pressure system or warm front is approaching.
Photo: Lenticular cloud At the bottom of the photo is Mt. Niseikaushuppe. Nov. 6

The sun had already been up for several hours, but the Cervus nippon yesoensis in the photo were still sleeping on the ground.
I didn’t notice them there and stumbled upon them. They detected my presence, though, and woke up immediately.
Did they notice me because they were just about to wake up? They seemed relieved for a moment, but then quickly sensed the situation and dashed off into the woods.
Lately, the mournful cry of the bucks can be heard echoing through the gorge, day and night. You can learn more about this cry in Visitor Center Report No. 58. Please take a look. (To be uploaded later this month.)
Photo: Cervus nippon yesoensis Nov. 6

It’s called madarasuzu in Japanese.
It has patchy black-and-white pattern on its legs (madara in Japanese); suzu refers to a small cricket.
That’s right: It’s a cricket.
It is a small cricket measuring about 6 mm in length. Although the full force of winter has yet to arrive, you can hear it chirping now, even when the temperature falls below the freezing point.
While it may be a little hard to believe, the area around the entrance to Momijidani Valley, which is a popular place for walking in the Sounkyo Gorge, is the source for the Sounkyo Onsen hot springs.
Hot spring water comes up from numerous points in this area.
The crickets are able to remain active during the cold winter months thanks to the geothermal heat produced here.
They make a “jii, jii,..” sound when chirping.
Right now, these insects known for being heard even in the dead of winter are chirping lively.
Wouldn’t you like to hear what they sound like?
Photo: Madarasuzu (Pteronemobius nigrofasciatus) Momijidani, Sounkyo Nov. 6