Visitor Center Report

Yesterday was a comfortably warm day, with the thermometer outside the center reading +3°C.
However, today is a different story, as blizzard conditions have continued since early morning and over 10 cm of snow has fallen.
This pattern, repeated, marks the way that spring ordinarily arrives. But, of course, this area is not like others. Spring is still a long way off.
However, yesterday the Salix gracilistyla began to bud and Haliaeetus albicilla appeared to be sunning itself on a treetop.
I felt as if spring had arrived, even if only for a day.
Photos: Budding Salix gracilistyla (left) and Haliaeetus albicilla (right) Feb. 27

I left early this morning to photograph Pteromys volans orii.
But when I arrived at my planned spot, the squirrels had already departed from their nest.
Ordinarily, Pteromys volans orii are active at sunrise and sunset, but today they had left before sunrise.
The morning sun was only just starting to illuminate the area, so these squirrels were definitely early risers.
Photo: Pteromys volans orii Feb. 26

The Visitor Center held a course on “Seiryu-no-Taki Fall.”
Seiryu-no-Taki is a waterfall in Seiryunosawa stream, which is just before the Ginga Tunnel near the hot spring village. Originating at Mt. Choyo, the stream flows some 3 km before joining the Ishikari River.
Because the amount of water flowing there is relatively small, Seiryunosawa lives up to its name as a quiet stream (“Seiryunosawa” literally means “quietly flowing stream”).
The photo shows an approximately 5-meter-high ice pillar.
It is not the frozen water of a waterfall. Rather, it is formed by water seeping from the Mt. Choyo agglomerate that froze on rocks and snow surfaces as it fell toward the ground, thus forming a column.
The trail up to the fall was fairly steep. However, the 15 participants took their time and all successfully reached the top.
Photo: A roughly 5-meter-high ice pillar Feb. 23

As I was heading toward Sounkyo Gorge’s popular Momijidani Valley, I saw a fawn cross ahead of me.
I looked around and saw the parent watching, seemingly concerned.
I wanted to continue forward but got the sense that the parent might rush at me.
Between them was a snow mound large enough to completely hide a deer.
The parent stepped determinedly toward the mound, which stood over a meter high, and then, in the next instant, jumped over it.
These animals truly have amazing jumping ability.
The parent finally reached its fawn’s side and seemed relieved.
Deer sometimes jump out unexpectedly, so please watch out for them in areas where encounters are possible, including when driving a car.
Photos: A parent with its fawn in Momojidani Valley, Sounkyo Feb. 20

It was clear in Sounkyo today, the kind of day we haven’t had for a while.
The trees in the gorge are covered with soft rime and create gorgeous scenery.
However, the sun was out for only a few hours. Right now it’s snowing again.
A weather forecast has been issued that predicts rapidly rising temperatures for the first half of next week.
People thinking of climbing or snowshoe hiking should be cautious of avalanches.
Photo: Sounkyo Gorge, near Zangetsu Peak Feb. 20