Wisteria is convenient as a ceiling material of rest space like at a public park. It is okay, even in the strong sunlight. It does not only bloom a beautiful flower, but also, in the summer, its overlapping leaves provide people a cool sunshade. In winter, leaves are falling, and the sunshine through to the bench seat. Sometimes, Carpenter bee（Xylocopa appendiculata） are coming. They are a big bee, but no need to scare. They are a family of a honeybee. They just come to gather flower nectar of wisteria.
Cherry blossoms (Sakura) are the symbol of spring in Japan- In Japan, April is the month starting a new life. From the kindergarten or primary school to university are starting in April. Business life also. The end of March to early April, Cherry blossoms are blooming everywhere in Japan. Parks in cities, Roadsides, mountains … From the flowers begin blooming to the flowers disperse, about one week, festivals to see cherry blossoms are held in various parts of Japan. A spring festival where you can sing, dance, drink and eat, and enjoy the beauty of Sakura. This year was no ordinary spring scenery. No festival was held this year to avoiding the danger of COVID-19. However, the flowers are beautiful even this sad situation.
“How inappropriate to call this planet “Earth,” when it is clearly “Ocean.” ― Arthur C. Clarke
The sunny day of the scenery from under the sea is especially great. The bright sun ball can be seen on the surface at distance. Colorful soft corals are emphasized in the contrast of the deep blue water and white sunbeam. What a wonderful space it is! at Owase, Mie, Japan
Whip coral garden at Nagase point, Owase, Mie, Japan. This is an inner bay point, but the tide is often fast. So, we can enjoy many kinds of soft coral. I like the whip coral garden. Whip coral is an invertebrate with long, whip-like branches covered in tiny polyps. are living on a big rock. The scenery a lot of the whip coral standing in the dim sea bed is very mysterious. Owase, Mie, Japan March 21 2020 -18m
Pool to protect giant salamanders. The swimming pool of a closed elementary school is used. The mixed-species of Japanese and Chinese native species live here. Nabari City, Mie, Japan
Looks like a Godzilla, but the cute calm freshwater creature
Bo-chan
“Bo-chan” is this salamander’s name. It means Sleepy, Calm, Quiet… Local elementary school students named that from his attitude. He is the mascot of the Nabari Local Museum. From child salamanders that have gills to an adult-like Bo-chan, a lot of salamanders can be seen here.
Japanese giant salamanders are one of the largest Amphibians.
According to Wikipedia, Japanese giant salamanders can grow to be five feet long (160 cm) and 55 pounds (25 kg). The largest wild specimen on record weighed 26.3 kg and was 136 cm long.
Bo-chan is 57cm long, 1.45kg now. It is looking forward to how long he can grow.
Nabari city, is a small city at a high land, central Kii peninsula located center of the mainland. This region was a part of the old Ninja Village. The Akame 48 waterfalls which are located in the mountain area of this city was the place where Ninja training. This mysterious spot is also home of the Japanese Giant Salamander.
Very small Child Japanese Giant Salamander (about 3cm long)
The Japanese giant salamander is endemic to Japan and protected as a special natural monument in 1951. The are easily hybridizes with Chinese giant salamanders, which were introduced to Japan. To protect against genetic contamination, the separation program is running. This museum is one of the places like that.
It’ not Nessie. A salamander floating on the surface of the pool
You can enjoy the observation that salamanders that
ascending to the water surface for breathing in the protected facility using an
outdoor swimming pool.
Looking at the seahorse, I always remember a scene from the old science fiction novel “The Maracot Deep (1929)”. This novel is the work of Arthur Conan Doyle, famous for the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The story is the adventure that marine scientists discover the sunken city Atlantis. I can’t forget is the scene where huge size seahorse eating eyeballs of huge halibut. What’s even scarier, the victim halibut have been sucked its eyeballs by the slender mouth of seahorse. So that I was a child age, it made scare my little heart. The seahorse of the photograph is a small size one called Shiho’s seahorse. This is about only 5 cm, tiny, cute, creature. However, if it would be over 10m….. I think stupid thinking. Lol. Owase, Mie, Japan. -20m
Hi, this photo is not the same as I uploaded the previous time. The description of the photo is different. Thank you, Ron Silver. He taught me the correct name as below. “Based on geographic location, this is Dactyloptena orientalis (Dactylopterus volitans is an Atlantic/Caribbean species” This pic is taken at Owase, Mie, Japan. I re-upload the photo that corrects the name on the picture. Thank you.
Longfin batfish are often seen from late summer
to spring at the artificial reef point, called Gyosho point (The top is -18m. The
bottom is -23m). They come from anywhere with a couple or three. And will go
away to somewhere. At first, they are shy. When they look at divers, they hide
behind the reef blocks. However, after a while, you will be able to shoot from
nearby. It is a fun scene for them to swim behind divers looking for Longfin
batfish. This picture was taken during a “safety stop”. If they feel
like it, they will rise up with divers and see off. Owase, Mie, Japan. -5m
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