May has arrived, and the forest is coming to life with fresh green leaves.
On the edge of the woodland, a large Katsura tree is once again covered in lush foliage.
Walking through the trees, you might notice the sweet, subtle scent of Japanese Bird Cherry in the air.
A young male deer, having survived the harsh winter within his mother’s group, may soon be ready to live on his own.
Nearby, Daurian Redstarts are singing busily. While many guidebooks describe them as winter birds in Japan, they are summer residents here in the Fuji foothills. They have chosen these highlands as their nesting grounds, making this their new home.
Nature seems constant, but it is always changing in small ways. The animals here accept these changes as a natural part of life, continuing their journey day by day.