Running through fields of cheese, drenched in carrots, while battleships cruise the skies blasting holes in the indifference.
Looking into the distance to see what is in front of your past, trying to comprehend the here and now.
Contemplating the similarities in the mountains while the dessert screams for your attention, crying to be painted black.
Random frogs trying to sell you Internet services and nameless salesman talking up the low down.
Looking for meaning in the frog filled paddies as blind spectators heckle your goo, ignorant of their hypocrisies.
Google your image and listen to the gravy fill your consciousness rendering your bladder apathetic.
Dancing to the alphabet while random ferrets fight to see the Romanesque prestidigitator pull tragic sequels from it's arse.
All I need is one more chance to see the green that sets me free from the tyranny of red, while the blue oranges laugh at yellow gnomes.
Raw ambition and unbridled ambition is no substitute for Garam Marsala, try it!
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Birds and the Bee's, and water mammals
Well the mystery of the river mammal has been solved. If you have read Ana's Blog you will know it was a Nutria. It is a large South American rodent. It's considered a bit of a pest. So it wasn't really as interesting as I'd have hoped. We went from thinking it was a rare Japanese mammal to an introduced pest.
On other animal news we went to Hanafesta Flower Park in Kani. This time of year the roses are out. The park is huge and has one of the largest collections of roses in the world. It has many other things as well but the focus was on the roses at this time of year. One of the things we found interesting, which wasn't part of the park really, was the amount of insects and such. On a small path that you just used to go from one area to another we saw masses of caterpillars and a few lizards. I think the Japanese thought we were crazy looking at the bugs instead of the flowers.
We also saw a Mamushi (Japans most poisonous snake). Actually, we heard it is not that dangerous. It was in an area with a small water feature and there were plenty of people around. This was ironic because before when we were coming off a path that had a sign warning people that they were in that area we heard a couple decide not to go because of that. And here you have one swimming around near to people picnicking and playing with their kids.
Another animal encounter was the with swallows. A couple had started building a nest on our exhaust fan outlet but gave up. On the floor below us there is a nest we see everyday. At Hanafesta on a covered walkway there were numerous nests and birds and they didn't seem to concerned by the people. You could get to within reaching distance as they sat on the railing. You could easily touch the nests as they were a little bit above head height. It's nice to see so many animals around. I have posted pictures on my photosite. Unfortunately we didn't get one of the snake.
On other animal news we went to Hanafesta Flower Park in Kani. This time of year the roses are out. The park is huge and has one of the largest collections of roses in the world. It has many other things as well but the focus was on the roses at this time of year. One of the things we found interesting, which wasn't part of the park really, was the amount of insects and such. On a small path that you just used to go from one area to another we saw masses of caterpillars and a few lizards. I think the Japanese thought we were crazy looking at the bugs instead of the flowers.
We also saw a Mamushi (Japans most poisonous snake). Actually, we heard it is not that dangerous. It was in an area with a small water feature and there were plenty of people around. This was ironic because before when we were coming off a path that had a sign warning people that they were in that area we heard a couple decide not to go because of that. And here you have one swimming around near to people picnicking and playing with their kids.
Another animal encounter was the with swallows. A couple had started building a nest on our exhaust fan outlet but gave up. On the floor below us there is a nest we see everyday. At Hanafesta on a covered walkway there were numerous nests and birds and they didn't seem to concerned by the people. You could get to within reaching distance as they sat on the railing. You could easily touch the nests as they were a little bit above head height. It's nice to see so many animals around. I have posted pictures on my photosite. Unfortunately we didn't get one of the snake.
Saturday, 3 May 2008
Mysterious Water Mammal
Well we have been going on little walks lately for exercise. On one recent jaunt around dusk we were wondering along the river near our house. We had seen a fair amount of wildlife in the area so we kept an eye on the river when we saw what seemed to be a large mammal swimming in the water. We guessed that it might be a river otter but it stayed low in the water and it was getting dark so it was hard to identify. We went home and found on the Internet that the Japanese river otter was pretty much thought extinct. It hasn't been spotted in the wild since the late seventies and in an area that is no where near us. Not to mention that we saw this mammal nearly smack bang in the middle of Kani city right outside of the supermarket next to the train line. Not really a pristine, secluded environment.
We have seen plenty of birds, some turtles and fish in the river but this was the first mammal. We went back the next afternoon and tried to spot it again. And right on sunset the little fellow was out swimming again. Like last time he was hard to identify and we lost sight of it pretty quickly. Ana did get one photo but it is pretty hard to make out. The body looks to be about half a meter long, so it isn't that small.
It is interesting that there is so much wildlife around here. I still don't really have an image of wildlife in Japan. Before coming here, if pressed, I might have thought of those monkeys that sit in natural hot springs with snow on their heads. Other than that my image of Japan has always been big cities or mountainous landscapes devoid of animals. We have seen a number of birds down by the river and elsewhere and it is nice to think that the Japanese haven't over engineered every part of the country leaving no room for animals. We have heard that there are monkeys in the hills nearby so that might be our next David Attenborough moment. I'll keep you posted on the river mammal mystery. I have to question my students to find out more info.
We have seen plenty of birds, some turtles and fish in the river but this was the first mammal. We went back the next afternoon and tried to spot it again. And right on sunset the little fellow was out swimming again. Like last time he was hard to identify and we lost sight of it pretty quickly. Ana did get one photo but it is pretty hard to make out. The body looks to be about half a meter long, so it isn't that small.
It is interesting that there is so much wildlife around here. I still don't really have an image of wildlife in Japan. Before coming here, if pressed, I might have thought of those monkeys that sit in natural hot springs with snow on their heads. Other than that my image of Japan has always been big cities or mountainous landscapes devoid of animals. We have seen a number of birds down by the river and elsewhere and it is nice to think that the Japanese haven't over engineered every part of the country leaving no room for animals. We have heard that there are monkeys in the hills nearby so that might be our next David Attenborough moment. I'll keep you posted on the river mammal mystery. I have to question my students to find out more info.
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