On June 13th we drove to Oita and spent the night in Billie at Choojabaru. So we could start early the following day. It was a new course for me and since I had not been hiking for a while I wanted to take it easy. Jaap kindly adjusted his pace and together we walked about 7 hours. Jaap could have done it in 3 I think, and I sometimes felt sorry for him, when I stopped for the umpteenth time for yet another photo opportunity. No birds, carrying the small lens was all I could.
At the place where we usually stop on the way:
Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ
Japanese Labyrinth、ヤマキマダラヒカゲ
Takekareha, タケカレハ Bamboo lasiocampid
Looks like it might rain at our destination.
And it did, but not too bad and not too long. During a little walk around the Tadewara marsh: アギスミレ. Correctionアギスミレ→ニョイスミレ. Thank you Mr A.
Mamushigusa, マムシグサ
Ibuki Toranoo イブキトラノオ (Bistort)
シライトソウ Chionographis Japonica
Round-leaved Sundew (モウセンゴケ)
Climbing Hydrangea (ツルアジサイ)？
Yuumadara Edashaku? ユウマダラエダシャク？
A low rainbow in the valley - not uncommon in the rainy season
At the end of the afternoon clouds were gathering in the distance.
The sky was changing fast. Spectacular clouds came and went. Dramatic
Left a caterpillar with no name, right a kind of weevil named zoomushi, maybe katsuozoomushi, カツオゾウムシ
At dusk I hoped to catch a glimpse of the Midori Shijimi, but all I got was this Ruri Shijimi
Usuki Kuroten Edashaku, ウスキクロテンヒメシャク
Usuao Edashaku, ウスアオエダシャク
Evening light at Mt Kuju range
The next day at the toilet building at 5am: Futasuji Gin-edashaku, フタスジギンダシャク
The rain clouds had disappeared and we were treated with sunny skies and a pleasant temperature of 17 - 20 degrees C. Perfect! The first part through the meadows was a bit steep. Good reason to stop for some photos:
More Shiraitosou, シライトソウ
Diana Treebrown、クロヒカゲ
Ibuki Toranoo, イブキトラノオ and a question mark
Taking a break half way up Sensuisan
In the dark forest a kind of Orchid: クモキリソウ Liparis kumokiri
I wish I could tell the name of these trees. Maybe one day. Now I just call it the fairytale forest. A very special place
View from Kamisensuisan. The pink carpet of Myama Kirishima ミヤマキリシマ had faded, but some flowers remained, reminding me of what it must have been like the weeks before
No Rhododendron, but lots of pretty red and pink Asebi アセビ (Japanese andromeda) Correction: アセビ→ツクシドウダン, between Kamisensuisan and Kuroiwadake
ベニドウダン
シロドウダン
From Kuroiwa we descended to the Makinoto pass and continued down along the river to Choojabaru
Near the hot spring was this Bara Ichigo, バライチゴ oddly out of place.
During the 7 hour hike we saw or heard a total of 33 different birds but didn't see any mammals this time.
A few wings in the forest below: Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ
I found a place where birds came to drink and bath. I sat there just 10 min. and was surprised by the activities. I'd like to spend a bit more time. Maybe next month?
Japanese Great Tit, シジュウカラ
Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ
At night, attracted by the light of the public toilet building:
Beniheri kokega ベニヘリコケガ
Ginboshiringa, ギンボシリンガ
White Ermine, Kiharagomadara Hitori (キハラゴマダラヒトリ)
A bonus when hiking in Japan: Wild (rasp?) berries. Sweet and juicy!
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