After 3 days of snow we'd arrived at a new year and had enough of the cold. We drove east wards towards Yufuin, stocked up on groceries and continued to the Kunisaki Peninsula.
First stop: Kitsuki on January 2nd, followed by the sunrise of the 3rd
Next Rurikoji temple in the middle of nowhere. A very pleasant place and the start of an interesting hiking trail.
From there we drove to Ebisudani for a hot spring bath and a few walks. Below the left-overs of somebody's bbq. The metal sides had weathered into some interesting patterns. Nature's art
More temples of course, mostly deserted. Not many people in this part of the country.
But plenty of birds. All common species, but there was a large number of Siskins, マヒワ.
Below a male and female Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ chasing each other. Spring is on it's way!
Definitely. The first Plum blossom tels us so
Warbling White-eye, メジロ warming up in the sun
Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ
The Mitsumata Paper tree, ミツマタ will be in bloom soon
Heading back home we passed Aonodomon in Oita. Spectacular rock formations and an interesting tunnel history
This place must get many visitors in normal times. (What is normal nowadays?) On January 4th there was hardly anybody. Safe for us to take a walk.
A White Wagtail, ハクセキレイ in the Yamakuni River
And some flowers! Tiny white wild flowers, called Yamaai (ヤマアイ) blooming in the shade of the huge rocks! Isn't that a bit early?
ロウバイ, Wintersweet or Japanese Allspice
Days are getting longer. Yes, we are on the right track.
