Visitor Center Report

Over the past several days, I have seen Haliaeetus pelagicus and Haliaeetus albicilla (both protected species) flying in the area. I initially thought my sighting of them the other day was simply coincidence; however, the sightings have become so frequent that I decided to get a closer look.
There were no crows flying about, so it did not appear the eagles were gathering around the remains of Cervus nippon yesoensis. However, I looked closer…
And there they were!
And not just the remains of one deer, but two…
There were only a few crows in the area and the remains were in the back of a sunken area of snow, so they were easy to miss without a close look.
The carcasses were on the other side of the river, so I could not get any closer. Nonetheless, a number of crows sensed my movement and came out clamorously from the snow.
Including the Haliaeetus pelagicus and Haliaeetus albicilla, there were more than 10 birds present.
They presented a very majestic sight.
Three Haliaeetus pelagicus can be seen in the photo.
Photo: Haliaeetus pelagicus at Sounkyo Feb. 7

An iridescent cloud appeared above the gorge early this morning.
It had truly deep coloring.
This phenomenon occurs when a cloud passes by the sun and shines with greens and reds. It is caused when sunlight is diffracted by droplets in the cloud.
Since ancient times, it has been said that an iridescent cloud is a fortuitous “sign” that something good will happen. However, I have seen iridescent clouds every day recently, and nothing particularly good has happened.
But wait…
I saw Mustela nivalis during a walk through a forest.
They were so quick that I couldn’t take a photo; but even so, encounters with them are very rare indeed. And yesterday, although I didn’t see it, I heard the call of Dryocopus martius martius near the center. These experiences were undoubtedly lucky.
* Mustela nivalis appear on the cover of Visitor Center Report No. 54.
* Dryocopus martius martius appear on the cover of Visitor Center Report No. 58.
Photo: An iridescent cloud at Sounkyo Feb. 7

Sounkyo was clear and sunny early this morning, but we are currently experiencing a sudden blizzard.
It is also cold. The low temperature outside the center this morning was -22°C, which is a new low for the season. It is also bitterly cold in Kamikawa Town, where the temperature fell to-25°C.
The freezing cold can be seen in the trees.
Along the Ishikari River, river mist (steam fog that forms when the water temperature is higher than the air temperature) arises that feels cold to the body; this also creates a “frozen” scene.
Photos: Scenes on a very cold morning Feb. 5

It is calm in Sounkyo, the first mild day we have had in a quite a long time.
Although the cold is severe, the sky has finally cleared up.
Today, I took a walk along the Ishikari River, also the first time in quite some time.
After walking about 30 minutes, I heard a loud rustling of wings above me. I looked up to see Haliaeetus albicilla and Haliaeetus pelagicus, both protected species, flying a short distance away.
At first I thought they were chasing each other, but then they seemed to be having a hushed conversation (center photo).
After a few moments, the Haliaeetus pelagicus took off. I had never seen one so close before.
Yes, without a doubt…
The Haliaeetus pelagicus and Haliaeetus albicilla are magnificent birds.
In contrast to last year, the amount of accumulated snow has been slightly small this season.
Perhaps because of this, I could not tell if the remains of a dead Cervus nippon yesoensis were nearby. Nonetheless, it was a rare paired appearance of these two birds.
Photos: Haliaeetus pelagicus and Haliaeetus albicilla (left and center), Haliaeetus pelagicus (right)
Feb. 4

The low temperature early this morning was -12°C; however, it has since climbed steadily and now sits at 0°C.
Even so, although there was a slight wind, -12°C felt kind of warm when I went out this morning.
I guess I’ve become accustomed to the cold.
It was not my intention to photograph Pteromys volans orii then, but I was fortunate enough to see one gliding through the air and landing on a tree in front of me.
I had just managed to take a single photograph when the Pteromys volans orii disappeared into the forest.
Ordinarily, Pteromys volans orii are active at sunrise and sunset, so why was this one out even though the sun had not risen yet?
It must have been very hungry…
Photo: Pteromys volans orii Jan. 30