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道東 2日目 霧多布 / Eastern Hokkaido Day 2 Kiritappu
Kiritappu (霧多布) to Bettoga (別当賀)
Since I didn’t have much time from my arrival the day before and didn’t find any sea otters, my goal this morning was to start with sea otters. I also want to photograph the landscape of the Cape, so I set out before dawn (thank goodness it’s only a few minutes drive though!).
![夜明けの海に灯台からの光が差す Light from a lighthouse shines on the dawn sea](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6114.jpg)
![夜明けの湯沸岬 Cape Toufutsu at Dawn](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6120.jpg)
![岩に立つオオセグロカモメ Slaty-backed Gull standing on a rock](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0336.jpg)
After the sun came up, I noticed sea otters floating on the north side of the cape where the waves were calm. One was a little far away, but the other came out to a fairly close overlook. I failed to ask at the inn if they are not breeding this year?
![海に浮かんでカニを食べるラッコ Sea otter eating crab floating in the sea](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0355.jpg)
![海に浮かんでカニを食べるラッコ Sea otter eating crab floating in the sea](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0392.jpg)
![ラッコにちょっかいを出すカモメ A seagull messing with a sea otter](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0439.jpg)
![岩場とカモメの群れ A rocky beach and a flock of seagulls](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6171.jpg)
When I returned to the inn after photographing the cape for a while, I found that a group of Asian Rosy Finch had just appeared.
![ハギマシコ Asian Rosy Finch](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0459.jpg)
![地面で餌を探すハギマシコ Asian Rosy Finch searching for food on the ground](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0483.jpg)
Leaving the inn, I headed for Kiritappu marshland. It seemed that not many birds could be expected in the marshland at this time of year, but I held my ground.
![霧多布湿原とエゾシカ Kiritappu Marshland and Ezo sika deer](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6196.jpg)
Wooden paths for strolling and nature observation are set up here and there in the surrounding area. I stopped by Oku-Biwase Wild Bird Park, which is located relatively close to the mouth of the river.
![遠くの川を並んで泳ぐ4羽の大白鳥 Four Whooper swans swimming side by side in a distant river](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6211-1.jpg)
![川を泳ぐ4羽のオオハクチョウ Four whooper swans swimming in the river](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0561.jpg)
![霧多布湿原の水辺の風景 Waterscape of Kiritappu Marshland](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6202.jpg)
![飛翔するコガモの群れ A flock of teal in flight](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0619.jpg)
![灌木の間からこちらを見つめるオスのエゾシカ Male Yezo sika deer gazing at me through the bushes](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0659.jpg)
From here, I left Kiritappu and headed toward Shibetsu (標津) Town and Rausu (羅臼) via the North Pacific Seaside Line on Prefectural Route 142.
A pair of White-tailed Eagles at Poroto-numa (幌戸沼). The male and female are only distinguishable by size, but the one on the right appears to be the female.
![川の土手に並んで朝日を浴びるオジロワシのペア A pair of white-tailed eagles lined up on the river bank, basking in the morning sun.](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0763.jpg)
![波の打ち寄せる荒涼とした海岸の長時間露光写真 Long exposure photo of a desolate beach with lapping waves](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6239.jpg)
Although I did not have time to stop in Nemuro, I wanted to see the Fureshima Marsh in Bettoga (別当賀).
![フレシマ湿原に向かう未舗装路 Unpaved road to Fureshima Marsh](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6249.jpg)
![木に止まる一羽のウソ An Eurasian Bullfinch perched in a tree](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0860.jpg)
After about two kilometers, I came to an unspoiled marshland that stretched out in front of the beach. Unfortunately, there was not much sign of birds, but it had a special atmosphere.
![フレシマ湿原のパノラマ Panorama of Fureshima marshland](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6259-Pano-1.jpg)
But there are also scenery that feels strange to me.
![フレシマ湿原に設置された野鳥の会の注意書きとモニュメント Warning signs and monuments of the Wild Bird Society installed at Fureshima marshland](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6250.jpg)
![水面を走るように逃げるカモ Ducks fleeing as if running on the surface of the water](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-DSC_0881.jpg)
Excited to see what kind of scenery I would see, I reached the end of the road, only to find that it was closed.
![多数の立ち入り禁止の注意書きが並ぶ、保護区の門 The gate to the protected area, lined with numerous no-entry signs.](https://narakiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221204-750_6264.jpg)
I understand that you want to protect the pristine nature. But I wonder what is this sense of discomfort.
I felt that buying up land for protection and then claiming ownership of the land is a human activity that is far removed from this “pristine nature.” I left the Fureshima marshland with a sense of ridiculousness in my heart.
Continued on Day 2 Rausu