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This is Page 3 of 3 - the best of March 2014!
posted: March 31st, 2014
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This page begins and ends with March 29th and climbs of Mt. Kagenobu (727 m = 2,385 ft) for the 11th time, Mt. Kobotoke-Shiro-yama (670 m = 2,199 ft) for the 47th time and Mt. Takao (599 m = 1,965 ft) for the 103rd time. The purpose of our climbs today was to check on the progress of spring and spring flowers. We had good success and covered a lot of ground.    Click on any thumbnail to begin.

Begin March 29th
  As the header says, on March 29th - Saturday - we went out to the countryside and climbed Mt. Kagenobu, Mt. Kobotoke-Shiro-yama and Mt. Takao. We were, of course, in search of spring flowers. We found them too, as you shall see. The first 2 shots in this row are of Euptelea polyandra (Fusa-zakura in Japanese). We saw this tree as we hiked up the road from the Bus Stop to the start of the trail. The 3rd shot is of Viola grypoceras and was also taken along the road between the bus stop and the trailhead. It appears that spring flowers are out!!
Mar29_01_MtKagenobu_OnTheRoadBeforeTrailRC
Mar29_01_MtKagenobu_
OnTheRoadBeforeTrailRC
Mar29_02_MtKagenobu_OnTheRoadBeforeTrailRC
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OnTheRoadBeforeTrailRC
Mar29_05_MtKagenobu_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_05_MtKagenobu_
Viola_grypocerasRC

  Here are 2 more shots of Viola grypoceras lower down on the trail. The 3rd shot is one major thing which we came here in search of - the Cymbidium goeringii orchid - Shun-ran (Spring Orchid) in Japanese.
Mar29_06_MtKagenobu_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_06_MtKagenobu
_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_13_MtKagenobu_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_13_MtKagenobu
_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_17_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_17_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC

  Here are 3 shots of the Cymbidium goeringii orchid - Shun-ran (Spring Orchid) in Japanese. The center shot shows the interior really well. In the 3rd shot note that this plant has 2 flowers.
Mar29_20_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_20_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_27_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringii_CropRC
Mar29_27_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringii_CropRC
Mar29_23_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_23_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC

  Here are an additional 3 shots of the Cymbidium goeringii orchid - Shun-ran (Spring Orchid) in Japanese. Note that the first shot in this row is a plant which has 3 blossoms. It strikes us as interesting that in the wild we always find just single plants of this species. But, our porch the Cymbidium goeringii orchid increases in size every year. We have not shown you a photo of our porch Cymbidium goeringii in several years because it's a real bother to erase out all of the porch stuff in a photo. The most recent ones are HERE. In Row 2 on that page note how large the plant has become - that is what we have never seen in the wild. In the wild it's always just 1 plant by itself.
Mar29_30_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_30_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_33_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_33_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_36_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_36_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC

  In this row it's again 3 shots of Cymbidium goeringii, but the center shot is of Kazuya pointing to a single plant on a steep slope. Steep slopes in hardwood forests is where we always find them. It kind of looks like a trail there, but it is not. If anything, it is a seldom used animal trail.
Mar29_39_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_39_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_45_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringii_KazuyaRC
Mar29_45_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium
_goeringii_KazuyaRC
Mar29_49_MtKagenobu_Cymbidium_goeringiiRC
Mar29_49_MtKagenobu_
Cymbidium_goeringiiRC

  Here is the final shot of Cymbidium goeringii, probably until next year. The 2nd shot shows the summit marker of Mt. Kagenobu. The 3rd shot is a directional sign. We came from Kobotoke Bus Stop (3.6 kilometers), we'll continue on to Kobotoke Pass, pass over Mt. Kobotoke-Shiro-yama - which is not shown on the sign - and then continue on to Mt. Takao and take Trail #3 down Mt. Takao.
Mar29th_MtKagenobu035_CymbidiumGoeringiiRC
Mar29th_MtKagenobu035_
CymbidiumGoeringiiRC
Mar29_54_MtKagenobu_SummitSignsRC
Mar29_54_MtKagenobu
_SummitSignsRC
Mar29_55_MtKagenobu_SummitSignsRC
Mar29_55_MtKagenobu
_SummitSignsRC

  There has been a mountain rest and snacks and liquor place here at the summit of Mt. Kagenobu for a long time - probably 50+ years. They have pictures from a long time ago. They put this tiny clearcut for viewing Mt. Fuji here a long time ago - the tree stumps are nearly all rotted away. Today was a fine day for viewing Mt. Fuji from here. The center shot shows me standing in front of a sign which points towards Mt. Jinba.
Mar29_56_MtKagenobu_MtFujiRC
Mar29_56_Mt
Kagenobu_MtFujiRC
Mar29th_MtKagenobu049RC
Mar29th_Mt
Kagenobu049RC
Mar29_60_MtKagenobu_MtFujiRC
Mar29_60_Mt
Kagenobu_MtFujiRC

  Here are 3 more shots of Mt. Fuji taken from the summit of Mt. Kagenobu. The 1st and 3rd shots are 2-shot panoramas.
Mar29_63_65_MtKagenobu_Panorama_MtFujiRC
Mar29_63_65_MtKagenobu
_Panorama_MtFujiRC
Mar29_62_MtKagenobu_MtFujiRC
Mar29_62_Mt
Kagenobu_MtFujiRC
Mar29_71_72_MtKagenobu__Panorama_MtFujiRC
Mar29_71_72_MtKagenobu
__Panorama_MtFujiRC

  WOW! We are already at the summit of Mt. Kobotoke-Shiro-yama. And, this is, of course, Mt. Fuji as seen from that summit. The first 2 shots were taken from approximately the same location as seen in the October 2013 Index Page (September 2013's Photos), which you can see HERE. The 3rd shot is the first Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana that we have seen this year!
Mar29_77_MtKobotokeShiro_MtFujiRC
Mar29_77_MtKobotoke
Shiro_MtFujiRC
Mar29_80_81_82_MtKobotokeShiro_MtFuji_TMDE_AdjRC
Mar29_80_81_82_MtKobotoke
Shiro_MtFuji_TMDE_AdjRC
Mar29_95_MtTakao_Viola_tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC
Mar29_95_MtTakao_Viola_
tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC

  Here are 2 more shots of Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana and sandwiched in between them is a shot of a seed-tree clearcut just below the summit of Mt. Kobotoke-Shiro-yama.
Mar29_96_MtTakao_Viola_tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC
Mar29_96_MtTakao_Viola_
tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC
Mar29th_MtKobotokeShiroyama083RC
Mar29th_Mt
KobotokeShiroyama083RC
Mar29_107_MtTakao_Viola_tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC
Mar29_107_MtTakao_Viola_
tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC

  After we passed by Mt. Takao and headed down trail #3 we found the most incredible concentration of 2 kinds of violets on a small sunny hillside! The first 2 shots show Viola grypoceras and the 3rd shot shows another Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana.
Mar29_115_MtTakao_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_115_MtTakao
_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_116_MtTakao_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_116_MtTakao
_Viola_grypocerasRC
Mar29_119_MtTakao_Viola_tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC
Mar29_119_MtTakao_Viola
_tokubuchiana_var_takedanaRC

The Violets Page
Click the above button for a Special Page dedicated to most of the Violets which we have identified with confidence.

  We are still photographing that incredible concentration of violets on a small sunny hillside. Here is one shot of Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana and 2 shots of Viola grypoceras.
Mar29th_MtTakao128_ViolaTokubuchianaVarTakedanaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao128_Viola
TokubuchianaVarTakedanaRC
Mar29_123_MtTakao_Viola_gryopcerasRC
Mar29_123_MtTakao_
Viola_gryopcerasRC
Mar29_125_MtTakao_Viola_gryopcerasRC
Mar29_125_MtTakao_
Viola_gryopcerasRC

  The first photo in this row shows the most area of any shot we took at the small sunny hillside covered with violets. These all appear to be Viola grypoceras. The 2nd shot is another of Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana. Now we are moving on, and the next shot is of a curious little plant - Omphalodes japonica.
Mar29th_MtTakao140_ViolaGrypocerasRC
Mar29th_MtTakao140
_ViolaGrypocerasRC
Mar29th_MtTakao146_ViolaTokubuchianaVarTakedanaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao146_Viola
TokubuchianaVarTakedanaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao152_OmphalodesJaponicaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao152_
OmphalodesJaponicaRC

  In first position in this row is the most incredible shot of Viola eizanensis. Generally the flowers of this violet are pretty much 100% white, but you can see in this photo that these have a very definite reddish color to them. The 2nd image was cropped out of the photo which is in 3rd position so that we could shot you a larger version of the flowers. Those 2 shots are of Omphalodes japonica.
Mar29_137_MtTakao_Viola_eizanensisRC
Mar29_137_MtTakao
_Viola_eizanensisRC
Mar29th_MtTakao153_Piece_OmphalodesJaponicaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao153_Piece
_OmphalodesJaponicaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao153_OmphalodesJaponicaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao153_
OmphalodesJaponicaRC

  Here is a final shot of Omphalodes japonica and then a shot of Viola bissetii aka V. bisseti. We only found a few blooms of Viola bissetii today, much to our surprise.
Mar29th_MtTakao159_OmphalodesJaponicaRC
Mar29th_MtTakao159_
OmphalodesJaponicaRC
Mar29_144_MtTakao_Viola_bissetiRC
Mar29_144_MtTakao
_Viola_bissetiRC

  Here are the final 2 shots which we want to show you and they are both of Viola bissetii.
Mar29_149_MtTakao_Viola_bissetiRC
Mar29_149_MtTakao
_Viola_bissetiRC
Mar29th_MtTakao178_ViolaBissetiiRC
Mar29th_MtTakao178
_ViolaBissetiiRC
End March 29th, End March 2014's Photos, Begin Miscellaneous Links
  Here are links to separate web pages - all of them will open in a new window (or new tab). The first link shows some photos of our DVD Collection, an AVI Movie of our Home Theater System and 9 photos of our Sharp Aquos TV. The 2nd link shows our entire DVD collection in DVD Profiler (if you're asking yourself what might be good to rent for the weekend). The DVD's will be sorted by date purchased. You can click on the "Title" Column to sort that way if you desire. The 3rd link shows our entire DVD collection in php DVD Profiler, which is much more sophisticated than the plain vanilla DVD Profiler just above it. The 4th link takes you to a set of pages which show you the FRONT cover-art of our entire DVD collection.

January 1, 2013 - DVD Collection & Home Theater System





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Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 1: Mt. Daisetsu (Mt. Asahidake Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 2: Mt. Chokai (Choukai) Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 3: Mt. Gassan Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 4: Mt. Hakkoda & Mt. Zao
Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 5: Mt. Kumotori Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 6: Mt. Shirane (Kusatsu) Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 7: Mt. Shibutsu Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 8: Mt. Kiso-Komagatake
Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 9: Mt. Kitadake Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 10: Mt. Mizugaki Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 11: Mt. Shiroumadake (includes Mt. Shakushidake & Mt. Yarigatake Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 12: Mt. Tate (Tateyama)
Climbing a Few of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains - Volume 13: Mt. Yatsugatake (Mt. Akadake) Outdoor Photography of Japan: Through the Seasons Outdoor Photography of Japan: Through the Seasons - Volume 1 of 3 (Winter & Spring) Outdoor Photography of Japan: Through the Seasons - Volume 2 of 3 (Summer)
Outdoor Photography of Japan: Through the Seasons - Volume 3 of 3 (Autumn) Some Violets of Eastern Japan - 2nd Edition English - Ilokano AND Ilokano - English Dictionary English - Ilokano and Ilokano - English Dictionary - With Some Notes on Ilokano Culture
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Heaven and Hell in the Philippines: Journal of a Peace Corps Volunteer All Calendars Wildflowers_of_Interior_Alaska Twelvemile: Summit to Summit



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End Miscellaneous Links, End Page 3 of 3, End April 2014 Pages

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