R: Moso Bamboo.
Yesterday we didn’t exactly go Naturing. But we did spend time in the natural world of Arashiyama.
While it may be arguable how wild or not the Japanese Macaques are at Arashiyama Monkey Park, I’m posting all my fave photos of these Snow Monkeys. Because HOW COULD I NOT??
It’s not a zoo. So, there.
It was a priority that Brian see these monkeys. Since we’re in Japan mostly for me, we had to do something for him. Even though we came at the wrong time of year to see them in the snow. And, lucky me, I SO WANTED TO SEE THEM, TOO.
There are a number of Monkey Parks in Japan, and it’s NUTSO to think how they all (I think?) let these monkeys just run around wherever they want amongst tourists. To say it was thrilling to have them hanging from tree branches above the trail and walking casually almost next to you would be an understatement. We both felt like we could’ve been there all day watching them and never get bored.
On the way there and back, we spotted some familiar birds on the Katsura River. Like an Eastern Grey Heron and Japanese Great Cormorant. Plus newtome Japanese Wagtail. Oh! And newtome subspecies of Varied Tit while at the Monkey Park.
I didn’t have my binocs with me. It’s SO HOT AND HUMID that I’ve been not bringing them to avoid any extra weight/hassle. But what a difference it is to only use my digital camera while birding. It’s like you don’t get any good looks at them. Just good photos. Maybe. In my case, my photos of these newtome life birds are total crap. So. Should’ve had my binocs and sucked it up!!
Spotted a couple newtome plants. Super cool Green Penny Fern (that reminded me of Maidenhair Fern) and tiny Scutellaria brachyspica (that I thought was a Hedgenettle) and cute yellow Miniature Moneywort.
Also managed to spot a sweet mushroom growing out of a tree hole and a beautiful moth (newtome Great Oak Beauty) on the hillside walking up to the monkeys.
We also visited the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, which was just lovely. I do wish we had gone there earlier in the day, to avoid crowds and the MANY women tourists dressed up in rented kimonos for Instagram posts. But there was enough opportunity to feel immersed in it. And sometimes forget all the people around you.
So, YEAH. Macaques and Bamboo. Arashiyama is a magical place in Kyoto.
