Winter On The Notsuke Peninsula, The Freezing Rain and Ezo Sika Deer

雨氷 野付半島 Ezo Sika Deer (4)

In February, the Notsuke Peninsula had an ice storm. When air temperatures drop below freezing and the ice rain, water droplets are super-cooled and ice can form on impact with the surface like trees. This ice from the freezing rain will cover and harden any exposed surfaces to make a clear ice called glaze ice. On the sunny days, when the sunlight reflects off the glaze ice, it can be so beautiful.

雨氷 野付半島 (1)

Glaze ice on the branches of the trees.

雨氷 野付半島 (3)

It is like being in an art gallery.

雨氷 野付半島 サンセット (1)

The branches covered in glaze ice.

雨氷 野付半島 Ezo Sika Deer (3)

An Ezo sika deer in the early morning ice.

雨氷 野付半島 Ezo Sika Deer (1)

The winter sika deer are looking so soft with their hair puffed out. Especially their fluffy white butt is so cute.

雨氷 野付半島 Ezo Sika Deer (2)

A herd of Sika deer on the Notsuke Peninsula covered with the freezing rain.

エゾシカ 野付半島

After dusk, the herd of male sika deer appeared in the field of snow and ice. It was a beautiful sunset, and I stayed there to watch until it got dark.

Photo & Text: Mariko SAWADA
Observation: Feb 2016 , Notsuke Peninsula, Hokkaido

*Contact  us, Saiyu Travel for more information about wildlife and bird watching in Hokkaido. We can make various arrangements for your trip. We have a guesthouse, Shiretoko Serai, in Rausu, Shiretoko Peninsula.

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