Clouds and Birds

Kumano Kodo - start of Day 3

The Takahara area is known for the low hanging clouds and this is what I saw out my window in the morning.

Breakfast was another feast. All this plus rice and miso soup. I don't know what this red fish was, but it was wonderful.

I took a few pictures in the lodge, then headed for the trail.  

The clouds were still hanging low as I headed out through the bamboo.

Near this little shrine, I saw an odd sign.  Is this an animal warning?

There were so many interesting things to see along the way, although sometimes the trail was so steep and uneven, I felt like I was only seeing the ground in front of my feet. 

The Daimon-oji remains were next. I'm amazed that records from this long ago time period remain.

As I reached the ridge, I could see that I was rising above the clouds.  It was breath taking to look out from the trees.

Near the Jyuten Oji shrine, I saw these little quail like birds, that almost blend in with the brown ground. (Look above the sign that says Kumano Kodo, below the green leaves.)

I was glad to see this solar powered toilet and surprised that it was so clean.  That's one advantage to hiking in the winter, I guess.

It's very interesting to see how these shrines are taken care of.  Who comes out to do this? Jizo has fascinated me since I came to Japan.

I saw many birds but wasn't fast enough to get pictures most of the time.  This isn't a good picture, but I did get one of this bright bird.

Come back tomorrow for the rest of Day 3's report.