Thursday, May 19, 2011

Red Carpet Welcome

At this time of year, the gentle southern slope near the top of Mt. Katsuragi (960m) turns into a red carpet of what is called ”一目百万本” (million azaleas at a glance) in full bloom.


Fair weather in May tempted my husband and I to go and see them on Sunday.

Parking the car on the road shoulder at Mizukoshi-toge, a connecting place between Mt. Katsuragi and Mt. Kongo, we started walking in the natural forest. Sunlight filtering through fresh green leaves made an air greener and produced a pleasant refreshing ambience.







Japanese bush warblers were chirping beautifully, though there seemed to be an unfledged going through training in singing, which made me smile.

Getting out of breath by the long uphill on the way, in an hour and a half or so the mountain top covered with reddish orange azaleas came in sight.













Actually, though they were still about a third full bloom, a bit later to bloom than usual year like other flowers, I was quite satisfied with their treatment.




They are spontaneous, starting growing around 40 years ago after indigenous bamboo grasses that used to overshadow wild azaleas died. They are thriving now.


Speaking of forest, 温帯林 (temperate zone forest), where coniferous trees such as fir, Japanese hemlocks, Japanese cedars and cypresses , and broadleaf trees such as Japanese beeches, deciduous oaks, dogwoods etc. mingled, used to cover the expanse of Japanese forests. Those were the habitats of a variety of animals and plants and important water resources for humans as well as every living thing.







Water flows into the stream.


However, the government –initiative development project to promote Japanese cedar trees plantation after World WarⅡturned out to be counter-effective. Forestry has not  paid off due to the low-price imported timber and as a result many conifer plantations have been ignored and not well taken care of, which have been adversary influence on surroundings, on animals and plants.



Japanese cedar plantation along the trail of Katsuragi. This place is taken care of .


Recently I came to know a member of Japan Bear & Forest Association; a conservation group that tackles preservation and restoration of mountain ecosystems. The other day I joined them for one of the activities to plant nursery trees of broadleaf tress yielding nuts and acorns in the wasteland. I’m thinking of joining them for their activity from now when I have time.



16 comments:

  1. I can see that you are a good mountaineer and how you like mountains through your narration and these beautiful photos.
    It's high season for the area where we can see the red carpet, but I have felt fresh air and tranquillity reading this post.

    By the way, my husband and my second son climbed Mt.Ohmine in GW.
    I think it was a good experience for them.

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  2. Stunning photos. Looking at them, I was transported to that place. I could hear the insects buzzing and the soft wind in the trees...
    :-)

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  3. Wow and wow! Your azaleas are luminous and translucent and the slopes covered with them are gorgeous, but I got more attracted by the sound of streams or green breeze wafting from your photos.

    I remember the time when my husband and I went to Mt. Katsuragi. We rode on a ropeway. I think you game me a glimpse into what we missed.

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  4. Wow, what a vast and gorgeous scenery you enjoyed! All of your photos can be framed and hung on wall. Japan's red is so beautiful! I have't seen azalea flowers in full bloom in Mt. Katuragi. There are many wonderful things in Nara, which I have not seen yet. Time is too short, isn't it?

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  5. Hello, Cosmos.
    タイトルどおり、赤いカーぺットですね。これほど見事とは驚きです。冷たそうな水の流れもとてもきれいです。青い空にそびえる、太い木の幹と青々した葉、眩しい陽の光が、すがすがしいですね。思いっきり美味しい空気を吸ってみたい気分になります。森と動物を保護する活動グループに入られたそうで素晴らしいです。My asthma was a little bit serious this time, but I am gradually recovering. Sorry. My comment will be in English next time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, haricot, Marc, Stardust, Snowwhite for leaving comments.
    Like I wrote before, I am a clumsy,slow climber
    and always have hard time climbing up but somehow easily forget the difficult time I had. I remember all good things about it.

    Yes. There're lots of wonderful things and places in Nara. I feel grateful to live here.

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  7. Redrose,
    Thank you for your comment.
    My joining the activity is a very small one but I just wanted to be of any help to take care of woodland. However, we have to take care of ourselves first, right? Take a good rest.
    I sincerely hope you'll get well soon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for your quick response to my recommendation, now I'm able to post a comment to you again.

    The photo in the header reminds me of luscious sweetness of ripened cherries and makes my mouth water.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you,Stardust. As I wrote on your updated post, you are an excellent troubleshooter.
    I don' know its machanism at all, but I hope many people who have trouble solving the problem will be relieved by the way you found.

    ReplyDelete
  10. These wild azaleas are quite amazing!

    I'm drawn to comment partly because of this spectacle and also because last week I visited an arboretum in the Scottish Borders to view the azaleas in bloom.......in very small quantity in compared to this but the colours were brilliant.

    Lovely photos....thank you!

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  11. Thank you Forest Dream Weaver for visiting me.
    Wild azaleas in this scale is unique to this mountain, if I am correct.In autumn you can enjoy Japanese pampass grasses and in winter, wintery scenery such as rimes here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That red hillside is startling. It turned my assumptions upside down for a moment.

    I like azaleas and they always amaze me freshly each year when I see them.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you Jenny for visiting here and leaving a comment.
    Your image is very cute, I like it.

    ReplyDelete
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  15. Japanese bush warblers were chirping beautifully, though there seemed to be an unfledged going through training in singing, which made me smile.Tennessee Wholesale Nursery

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