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@hidemoriyazaki
Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza personata) Whilst this species is generally regarded as a winter visitor, in Karuizawa highland, it is actually a summer resident. Beautiful mating calls heralding the breeding season, rarely heard in Tokyo, can be heard from all over the neighbourhood in the highland town.
アオジ 冬鳥の印象の強い本種だが、高原の軽井沢ではむしろ夏にやってくる鳥。 東京ではなかなか耳にすることのない繁殖に向けた美しいさえずりの声が、町内の各地から聞こえてくる。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-30
The main actors of Karuizawa’s grasslands: the Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata). All over the grassy areas, the males face upward and sing loudly. The local specimens seem quite wary, so I was delighted to observe their behaviour closely after moving very cautiously.
軽井沢の草原の主役、ホオアカ。 草むらのあちこちで、オスたちは上を向いて高らかにさえずる。 当地の個体はそれなりに警戒心が強い印象で、かなり慎重に動いたところ、じっくりその行動を観察できてよかった。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-30
My work has been selected for the "Photographic Series" category at the Karuizawa Foto Fest 2026. Entitled "Moths Calendar: A Year of Moths in Karuizawa", it features 10 moths that have visited my home in Karuizawa throughout the four seasons. Through the photographs, I would be delighted to convey the profound fascination of nocturnal nature and serve as a gateway to the marvellous world of insects.
My photograph is currently on display outdoors at Hotel Kajiima no Mori in Karuizawa until 21 June, alongside the works of other prize-winners and selected artists in the group photography category, and is also available to view on the Karuizawa Foto Fest website.
軽井沢フォトフェスト2026「組写真部門」で入選しました。 『Moths Calendar 〜軽井沢の蛾の一年〜』と題して、軽井沢の自宅にやってきた春夏秋冬の蛾を集めました。 写真を通じて、夜の自然の奥深い魅力を伝えることができたら、そして昆虫の驚くべき世界に触れるきっかけになれば、嬉しいです。
写真は、軽井沢のホテル鹿島ノ森で6月21日(日)まで、他の組写真部門の入賞者・入選者の作品とともに野外展示されているほか、フォトフェストのHPでも公開されています。
An Oriental Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) singing on a power line near a reed bed. Its imposing form somehow reminds me of a dinosaur (though I suppose that makes sense, since it’s a descendant).
芦原の近くの電線の上でさえずっていたオオヨシキリ。 そのいかつさには、どことなく恐竜を思い出す（子孫だからそりゃあそうなんだけれど）。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-30
A queen of Polistes chinensis nesting among the grasses of a highland meadow. Since she builds the nest, lays the eggs, and raises the larvae all by herself, the queen must be extremely busy. Perhaps due to the high temperatures, she was often seen flapping her wings continuously—a behaviour that appeared to create a breeze for the young in the nest.
高原の下草の間で営巣するフタモンアシナガバチの女王。 女王は1頭だけで、家を建て、卵を産み、生まれた幼虫たちを育てるのだから、大忙しのはず。 気温が高かった影響か、羽ばたきを続けて巣の中の子供たちに風を送る（ように見える）行動もよく見られた。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-30
In a Shinshu forest in early summer, Ponyalis quadricollis (I think). Insects in the family Lycidae contain toxic substances in their bodies and are considered models for the aposematic mimicry seen in various other insects. It’s interesting to see the distinct differences in the shape of the male and female antennae when they are copulating.
初夏の信州の森にて、カクムネベニボタル（だと思う）。 ベニボタル科の昆虫は体内に有毒な成分を持ち、さまざまな昆虫の警告色擬態のモデルになっていると考えられている。 交尾していると、雌雄の触角のかたちのはっきりした違いがわかって面白い。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2023-05-31
During an insect survey on the coast, I was utterly astonished to discover a whale, about 2 metres long, stranded at the water’s edge. I immediately contacted the local government and a whale expert, and was informed it was a Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus). It is said that the Japanese name "Flower" derives from the white marks on its body, which were caused by other individuals or squid. Although it looked quite weak and in a serious condition, the sheer power of its movements—flapping its fins and spouting water from time to time—was truly magnificent. Since an expert would be managing the situation, I left the place. However, I couldn’t tell whether it was the sound of breathing or a cry, but the low ‘boo’ sound the whale made kept echoing in my head long afterwards.
海岸で昆虫調査中、波打ち際に体長2mほどの生きたクジラが横たわっているのを見つけて仰天。 すぐに自治体と専門家の方に連絡すると、ハナゴンドウと教えて頂く。和名の「ハナ」は、他個体やイカなどにつけられてできる体の白い傷が由来とのこと。 かなり弱っていたけれど、ヒレをばたつかせたり、潮を吹いたりする動きの力強さは、やはりクジラのすごい迫力。 専門家の方にご対応頂けるということで、私はその場を離れたものの、呼吸の音なのか、鳴き声なのか、クジラの発する「ボオッ」という低い音が、その後もずっと頭から離れずにいる。
Shizuoka Pref. 静岡県 2026-05-25
Copulation of Libelloides ramburi As the female takes flight from the grassy area, males swarm in from all around, flying at high speed. They quickly form a pair in mid-air and glide down to the undergrowth. It was a lovely morning, with plenty of such behaviour to observe. In the photo, the top is the male and the bottom is the female.
キバネツノトンボの交尾 草むらからメスが飛び立つと、周囲からオスたちが高速で飛びながらわーっと集まってくる。すぐに空中でペアが成立し、下草などにすっと降りていく。そんな行動がたくさん観察できた、よい朝。 写真は上がオス、下がメス。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-16
One of the truly wonderful aspects of nature in Karuizawa is the large numbers of Chestnut-cheeked Starling (Agropsar philippensis) coming to town each spring. Three years ago, they nested in the old tree in front of our house, and I enjoyed quietly watching them raise their chicks. This year, too, a beautiful male was singing in the morning sun atop a fir tree.
軽井沢の自然の素晴らしい魅力だと思うことの1つが、春になるとコムクドリがたくさん街にやってくること。3年前には家の前の古い木に営巣して、子育てをそっと観察できたのも楽しかった。 今年も美しいオスが、モミの木の上で朝日を浴びてさえずっていた。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-11
Siberian Blue Robin (Larvivora cyane) Although I had often heard its distinctive song echoing through the highland forest, this blue bird—which rarely emerges from the undergrowth—finally allowed me to see it up close. It flew off immediately, making it truly a fleeting encounter.
コルリ 高原の森に響き渡る特徴的なさえずりはたびたび耳にしても、なかなか藪の中から出てきてくれない青い鳥と、ようやく間近に出会うことができた。すぐに飛んでいってしまったので、本当に一瞬の邂逅。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-09
The almost unreal deep blue of the Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana).
オオルリの青。信じられないほどの深い青。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-09
At the edge of a highland pond where cherry blossoms still lingered, a freshly emerged Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) is drying itself. It is said that the name derives from its four distinct spots, located towards the middle of its wings, in both its scientific, English and Japanese names. This elegant dragonfly can be seen from spring through to early summer and is known to favour ponds and marshes rich in aquatic plants.
まだ桜の花の麗しい高原の池の端で、羽化したてのヨツボシトンボが体を乾かす。 学名・英名・和名ともに、翅の中程にある斑点が全部で4つあることがその名の由来だそう。 春～初夏に見られる美しく立派なトンボで、水生植物の多い池や沼で育つとのこと。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-05-09
A symbol of spring in the Shinshu region, Libelloides ramburi spreads its wings in the soft morning sunlight on a small grassland in the highland satoyama. Neither a dragonfly, a butterfly, nor a bee—this is a species of owlflies, similar to antlions, a beautiful insect we can only encounter during this season. Just look at those adorable legs, striped in yellow and black.
信州の春の象徴、キバネツノトンボが、高原の里山にある小さな草原で、朝の柔らかな陽光の下に翅を広げる。 トンボでも、チョウでも、ハチでもなく、アリジゴクに近い、この季節にしか出会えない美しい昆虫。黄色と黒に染め分けられた脚のかわいらしさよ。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2024-05-09
I have written briefly before that the pursuit of delving into the depths of subjects that are difficult to grasp easily, such as nature or art, can bring a new richness to society that cannot be seen simply by “consuming” them.
久しぶりに、ある小さな美術館に足を運んだ。選び抜かれた展示品の数々が、まだ見ぬ世界の魅力を静かに教えてくれる雰囲気が大好きだった場所。しかし様相はすっかり変わり、もはや美術品は経済原理と権威づけのための「コンテンツ」として位置づけされていることに、大きなショックを受けた。 美術で
Recently, I was deeply saddened to be caught up in another incident in which the sincere feelings and efforts of such people were treated with contempt. It was also a lesson in the importance of "feeling uncomfortable". Even at a stage where we cannot put it into words, the feeling that something is off serves as our vital compass. To perceive this keenly, we must not neglect our daily lives and must maintain a steadfast core. Yes, start by doing my best for my own work, and aim to do good work.
The photograph shows the beautiful, translucent Dendroxena sexcarinata, a caterpillar predator found on trees in cool regions in early summer.
例えば自然や芸術といった簡単に計り知れない対象の奥行きを掘り下げる営みは、単にそれらを「消費」するのでは見えない新たな豊かさを社会にもたらしうる、と少し書いたことがある。
久しぶりに、ある小さな美術館に足を運んだ。選び抜かれた展示品の数々が、まだ見ぬ世界の魅力を静かに教えてくれる雰囲気が大好きだった場所。しかし様相はすっかり変わり、もはや美術品は経済原理と権威づけのための「コンテンツ」として位置づけされていることに、大きなショックを受けた。 美術で
最近、そうした人々の誠実な想いや努力を粗雑に扱う別の事案に巻き込まれて、とても悲しい思いをした。 それは「違和感」の大切さへの学びでもあった。言語化できない段階でも、なにか変だな、という感覚は、私たちの大切な羅針盤になる。それを鋭敏に感じ取るには、私たち自身が日々を疎かにすることなく、ぶれない軸を保たねばならない。 そう、自分のことを頑張ろう、いい仕事を目指そう。
写真は、イモムシ・ケムシの捕食者とされる、美しい半透明のヨツボシヒラタシデムシ。涼しい地域の初夏の樹上で見られる。
On a sunny morning, as the Daurian redstart sang out loud, I peered among the lichens in the garden and noticed a Brachionycha nubeculosa resting there. Three species of this genus are found in Japan; all appear in the mountains in early spring and are highly popular for their serene and dignified appearance. Even in Karuizawa, where the first signs of cherry blossoms are still a long way off, spring is in the air.
ジョウビタキが声高くさえずる晴れた朝、庭の地衣類の間をのぞきこむと、エゾモクメキリガが休んでいた。 本属は日本に3種生息するが、いずれも早春の山地に現れ、その静謐で堂々たる佇まいで人気が高い。 桜の気配もまだ遠い軽井沢にも、春の呼び声。
Nagano Pref. 長野県 2026-03-23
<Night Forest in Kyoto: Part 9> Finally, Xerodes albonotaria A “common species” found throughout the country in spring, known for its larvae’s remarkably broad host plant range. However, upon closer observation, the wing margins reveal a surprising array of stunning blue and red hues. The observation of common species is, indeed, fascinating.
＜京都の夜の森 その9＞ 最後はモンシロツマキリエダシャク 幼虫は幅広い食性を持ち、分布も全国的な春の「普通種」。 しかしよく観察すると、翅の外側をふちどる縁毛に青や赤の素晴らしい色彩が隠れていることに驚かされる。 やはり普通種の観察は、面白い。
Kyoto Pref. 京都府 2026-03-15
<Night Forest in Kyoto: Part 8> Psyra bluethgeni A spring-flying geometrid moth, known for its larvae bearing enormous, strange protrusions on their bodies that resemble deer antlers. Adorned with striking black spots, the wings possess a serene beauty reminiscent of an ancient tea bowl. Among overseas species of the same genus, there are some in which geometric markings spread across the entire forewing.
＜京都の夜の森 その8＞ クロモンキリバエダシャク 春のシャクガで、幼虫はシカの角のような巨大な突起がついた姿で知られる。 印象的な翅の黒点が彩るその翅は、楽茶碗を思わせる落ち着いた美しさ。 海外の同属には幾何学的な斑紋が前翅全体に広がる種もいる。
Kyoto Pref. 京都府 2026-03-15