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Writer's pictureAllan Sander

"Déjà vu"

Updated: Aug 17



The shroud of moisture tries its best to not surrender to the rising sun; it feels as if one is peering into another dimension - a lone shadow hovers in its veil. Strange, it is as if he has been here before, but when?  How is it possible?  He is exploring the back roads of Narita, Japan where familiarity takes hold – but here is the strange thing, home is in the Midwest portion of the United States!  The changing of the seasons in Japan triggers a humbler time, as if being reacquainted with an old friend - it takes him back to the days of his youth.


Quickly he changes into his civies, grabs his gear, and vaults out the door; humidity slaps him in the face once he steps outside. Clearing customs took longer than usual but the late summer sun still provides him a few hours of daylight.  A former track, now overgrown, is where he stashed a bamboo stick - it acts as his monopod.  He has put this concept to good use at other layover cities:  the Jardine de Botanico in Sao Paulo, Brazil, along several trails on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, and the same in the Blue Mountains N.P. just outside of Sydney, Australia.    

He snakes his way through a patch of forest, his gait quickens with the downward slope until the clamor of cicadas mellows to reveal fields of rice.  Between this grid of country roads are berms balancing the flow of water with a simple design of pipes and canals that submerge the crops. 


At one juncture a monorail glides over this sea of green, and above that crosses a freeway, its towering cement columns infringing on this pastoral scene.


He squints at the sun to his left and veers right to keep it to his back.  Besides, rows of nodding poppies invite him to, “Come have a look!”  Striding through a grass-strewn ditch, he steps into the sun’s rays filtering between these gilded layers of inflorescence.





Garden spider webs drape the roadside; he closes his eyes and inhales deeply:  bulbuls noisily cruise over the canopy,

treefrogs casually call from beneath the lengthening shadows of the forest









as a Japanese Bush Warbler (Horornis diphone) rings out from across a distant field. 


Eyes open, he discovers a crab spider enjoying a meal of its latest victim.  As miniscule as it may be, these thickets host a trove of activity; he looks forward to tomorrow’s sojourn. 


Entering a flooded field via a raised path, he hears the incessant chattering of a warbler, directing him towards an inaccessible wall of reeds. The songster makes a brief appearance only to drop back to the tangle of canes.  It’s an Oriental Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis).  “Nice!” 


It’s time to head back, the ‘skeeters’ are on a mission. It is mandatory to keep up the pace to discourage any assault from those blood-thirsty agitators.  Shards of sunlight make one last splash across the tarmac, its black contour now flowing towards the darkness.  Ahead, what appears as a gnarled stick, is set in motion.  “Snake!” 

Quickly he cuts off its progress with his stick.  *The angular head and blotches of brown tell him it is probably a viper.  It desperately wants to get to the sanctuary of the grass, so he keeps pushing it back to get a snapshot.  Blowing at its head, (action learned from a prior experience with rattlesnakes), it quickly coils into striking position.  These snakes are known as “pit” vipers, having this heat-sensing organ ("pit") located between each eye and nostril.  So, they easily detect the warmth of your breath and react - accordingly. He is happy with his shots and lets it slither back to shelter.  This Japanese moccasin (Gloydius blomhoffii) or pit viper is locally known as, Mamushi.

*This snake has a yellow-olive wash from slithering through silty water that dried and left this film covering its body.


Next morning it’s on the same road, but at the junction the sun has him veering to the west. The shoulder is thick with growth; it terminates once it meets with the orderly rows of rice. 


A fitting creed for the world of invertebrates should be, “Eat or be eaten!”  However, this next scenario shouts, “Don’t Stop Eating!”  The larva of Lepidoptera, a.k.a., caterpillars, are quite simply eating machines.  There is a proliferation of nettles called Ramie plant (Boehmeria nivea), which the Ramie Moth caterpillar (Arctae coerula) just loves to consume,

and they are hungry; like an infant baby, they just eat & poop, eat & poop!  And every so often an occasional nap is in order - as seen with these tent caterpillars.  One can clearly see the day’s accrual of doo-doo at the base of their silken chamber.


Every so often a mulberry bush {Morus alba} sprouts up.  One of the branches reveals another caterpillar where each segment contains a black patch, its center splashed with irregular white spots, all of this set on an orange body.  Fine plumes of hair flair out in all directions.  A pair of black lumps near the head give it a humpback appearance. 

A quick note, many caterpillars have hairs covering their bodies, and generally are tactile in function.  Some are more extreme in their function to aid in warding off predators, having a chemical irritant that can be quite toxic. 

He finds other caterpillars among the fields:  the first one feels threatened and curls up for protection; it is glossy green where each segment margin is bordered faintly in yellow and situated above are a pair of white dots outlined in black slightly off-center on each side to appear as lines running the length of the body.  This pattern follows suit at the midline but with three dots in a triangular design underscored with an orange and white band. This specimen is Xylena fumosa


A much smaller sort is lighter green with a white stripe running down its back. A much finer stripe follows suit midway and just above this critter’s prolegs it has a yellowish wash that is outlined with a thicker white stripe.  A splash of black freckles rounds out the face. This is a species of Noctuinae




Thirdly, there is a young instar of a Geometer moth that is completely white but with a bluish tint. 






Next up is a species of Cystidia that uses its silk to roll up a leaf for protection; he finds one such set up and carefully pries it open to reveal its occupant.  Even with the mottled patches of black, that intense yellow body would definitely attract one’s attention. 

















On a different plant he applies pressure on a smaller leaf roll.  The tenant wriggles out and tumbles onto another sprig.  Broken lines of white, black and brown run its length while the first two segments behind the head and the last two at the rear don what looks like a pair of white eyes. A few pix and like a rock climber, the caterpillar ascends back up to its lair on a silken thread.


This next specimen he sees quite easily as its bright colors shout, “Here I am!”  It is a Chalcosia remota caterpillar.  It is stout, like a little tank – on top it is armored with two rows of yellow panels, next a strip resembling human-like eyes with a black iris and underneath, another band of orange-red circles. 



The adult moth is brown-gray and has a steel-blue luster, as does the shield-like structure behind where the wings meet the body.  The forewings when folded create a thick white band across its back.  Black eyes bulge out from a bright orange head. 

Metamorphosis is incredible!




This next family of moths is one he really enjoys, just because how fortunate one is to find it; they look like an extension of a broken twig!  However, they become much more visible when set in motion.  They pull their rear completely up to the forelegs securing itself to form a loop, and then extends the body forward repeating the cycle until it reaches its destination.  Hence the nickname, “Loopers.” 


The next several critters make their presence none with bright colors and patterns and are adorned with plumes of tufted hairs.  They are basically stating, “Do not mess with me!”







There is a myriad number of leaf-, plant-, and tree- hoppers sporting an array of design and color. This is a Ricania species of planthopper from the Superfamily Fulgoroidea.









One of his favorites is Geisha distinctissima, a member of the Flatid planthoppers, especially with its resemblance to another species found along the forest edges back home.

It has evolved to look like a leaf, with its net-like venation.  Somehow it got the color all wrong, it basically is all white with margins of pink!  

Emerging from under the forest canopy he continues down the road.



Crossing the bridge over the Tokko River, a couple of carp flush from the shallows,

a slider splashes into the water. 



Around the bend, from behind another stand of trees, lies an open field on one side, and opposite, more rice paddies. 


A wagtail takes flight, he follows its lead as stalks of bamboo and spurs of oak recede in his wake.  The view is delightful, a lushness of wayside pastures and stately borders of goldenrod that outline fields of rice.  Entering this realm is when the adventure begins.

Lowering himself to his knees brings on an entirely new perspective - getting down at ground level transports you to yet another dimension.  Rather than slicing thru geologic layers that spans millions of years, these miniature ecospheres are in the moment, short-lived, where life and death takes place in an instant.  An eight-eyed creature has him in its sights. Like headlights on a car, he is transfixed with a set of its oversized pair of eyes. Its eight legs adjust its body to keep him front and center.  Then the jumping spider (Family: Salticidae) cocks its head upward as if to say, “And whom might you be?” 

He takes a few pix, and as he leans in for a closer image it sends this little fella scurrying to the underside of the leaf. 

Flies of all sorts buzz every which way. 





A half turn has him gazing into a patchwork of petals.

He discovers a beautifully colored crab spider, its front pair of legs splayed ‘crab-like,’ ready to seize its next meal. 


He extends himself to ground level, where it is damp and much cooler. As if trekking under the canopy of a tropical rainforest, ants meander through this tangle of foliage.  A large beetle trudges into the scene, to them, this must seem like a prehistoric monster.  Armored in black, he believes it to be a ground beetle, but the elongated thorax juts its head out disproportionately from the body.  His guess is that it requires this weaponry to pierce its way into its prey, perhaps the open end of a snail?  Yep, research reveals that Carabus blaptoides does just that!

Crossing the tarmac onto another path is a quaint garden tucked behind a field of rice.  At one end a curtain of vines ascends from the roof of a dilapidated greenhouse, tiny white flowers embroider its surface as little blue butterflies skirt about.


Damsels and dragons cruise the air:  Damselflies are like ‘matchsticks with wings’ having a stiff manner of flight. 


Dragonflies on the other hand are like jetfighters, overtaking most other aerialists with ease.  


The head honcho is the Dragonhunter (Anotogaster sieboldii ) attacking and consuming all (including other dragonflies) that dare to enter his realm.


Goldenrods, like gilded frames, fill the narrow borders of every ridge of this composition.  Flowerhead clusters attract an array of pollinators that may unexpectedly succumb to being prey.  A crab spider (Thomisidae) seizes an unwary fly,

an ambush bug grasps the unfortunate moth, or a cricket is trapped in the grip of a praying mantis.  He thinks, “If I kept my focus at this level, I would swear I was exploring a field back in Illinois!”  It takes a fly-by from the “B-52 bomber of the insect world” to straighten out his geographical coordinates.  Vespa mandarinia, the Korean Hornet, is a massive pillager of bees, a small swarm can wipe out an entire hive of tens of thousands strong.  "You talkin to me?"

This lug circled around to ambush a large Scoliid Wasp







It slammed into its quarry with such an impact that it set the plant swinging like a pendulum!  It was amazing the ease at which it dismembered and devoured pieces of its victim.









One of his favorite routes is a small side road that cuts right through the hillside.  It has an arched canopy ceiling with an escort of Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) Damselflies that flit about in the shadows.


He feels his stride lessen; it becomes more deliberate, raindrops splatter about. Eventually you come to a clearing where wooden steps guide you onto a boardwalk; its weathered planks are bordered with the colors of lilies, iris, and purple loosestrife.  Grooves of the aged wood channel the water between the gaps; rusted nails groan in protest under your weight.  A sudden gust wets your face - the journey ends. Looking back, it dawns on him,

“I never knew you could walk inside a rainbow!” 


Narita is 35 degrees N longitude, Chicago 41.8 N, so Narita’s cooler seasons are warmer and shorter, and the warmer months are hotter and longer than back home.  The plan is to sweat it out for the summer and really enjoy the pleasant temps in October and November.  Back to today, he comes to a junction where all the habitats converge, this generally harbors a few surprises. 


Here saplings strain to reach beyond the tangle of vines and low brush to be one with the forest.  Sedges, grasses, and wildflowers stretch their way from its edge before confronting a wall of reeds along the river. Between it all are the rice fields.  One particular spot has become a holding tank where a type of Milfoil, genus Myriophyllum, now dominates its waters.


Onward…

Bird shit?!  “Hello!”  Well, that is exactly what it looks like!  That, happens to be the larval stage of the Wild Silkmoth, Bombyx manadarina.   


The first several instars purposely mimic a non-palatable piece of bird doo-doo that has fallen on top of a leaf, completely exposed but easily overlooked by a predator. Here is the same critter one week later.















To skirt closer in for a picture, some smaller winged creatures take flight.  One that is quite common is a yellow and blue homopteran called a Black-tipped Leafhopper (Bothrognia ferruginea).  It is a sap-sucking insect that uses its long hind legs to launch itself into the air to take flight.






Here is another one of its brethren...







Under the open sky, the ground hops, literally, with activity.  These camouflage experts he titled, ‘coneheads,’ but are generally referred to as ‘long-headed’ grasshoppers, genus Atractamorpha

They have a triangular shaped head, a set of oval eyes popping out of the sides and shooting out of its top, a pair of “Y” shaped antenna, giving it this bewildering expression; it’s almost comical. "How much did I drink last night?" 


Quite the opposite is seen with Patanga japonica, a large headed, brown, bulky ‘hopper,’ where one is flushed and fatally lands in the outstretched arms of a Chinese mantid.  It continues to attempt to fly and kick, knocking the mantis from its post.  The fight continues even as they tumble out of site.






This year has an abundance of the farmer's nemesis, the Rice-field Grasshopper (Oxya yezoensis), as it has an appetite for rice plants. 








His face lights up as he reflects to himself, “Spiders, Beetles and Flies, Oh my!  

On any substrate one will encounter a ‘Creepy Crawly’ of some sort, right?” 

Here is a crab spider positioned to seize any critter coming to visit this flowerhead.


This jumping spider has adapted its body color to match the broken bits of sand and cement of this light pole.  Can you find it?


You cannot help but be enthralled, and at times be carelessly tangled, by the webs of garden spiders, not only due to the size of their creations (as well as the creators), but it is also just that, “All sorts of spiders are everywhere you look!” 

They are found in their native habitats of fields and forest, in the crevices of your home [inside and out], under streetlights, between the utility lines, et cetera, et cetera.

The extended summers provide more time for a source of food, to develop and reproduce - evolving into a variety of colorful orb weaver spiders.

with some real giants, like Trachonephila clavata. This creature's colorful abdomen

is a piece of art!


   




Like most inquisitive children, he was drawn to the colorful ‘ladybug.’  Interestingly, he probably encountered the Asian Ladybug (Harmonia axyridris) in his youth, being so

widespread across North America.

(It was introduced by the US Dept. of Agriculture as a biological control agent).










Another familiar family are the Cerambycids, catching your eye with their namesake ‘Long-horned’ antennae, colorful markings, and size.

Here is Batocera lineolata, the White-striped Long-horned Beetle.


These extremely 'long' antennae belong to Uraecha bimaculata.


His favorite is the iridescence of the Scarabs, but he has yet to behold the highly revered Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma).  However, he was fortunate to have encountered the larva of this giant ‘above’ ground – an unfortunate result of an insecticide spraying by one of the farmers.  He could not help but caption this shot, “How about a hug!”


Diptera, the flies.  The list just continues to expand.  So, here is a pictorial collection of some of his favorites. This is a Robber Fly; this group of insects snatches other insects mid-air with its long legs, then proceeds to pierce its victim injecting a digestive enzyme which it than sucks out the liquified tissue.


This is called a Shoot Fly, genus Atherigona.


The colorful Flower Flies or Syrphids are easily found nectaring amongst the flowers.


With the fall season comes the cool damp nights, with a gradual warm up during the day. The moisture in the air descends, its tiny droplets blanket the land; this is when nature displays some of its finest imagery – especially close-up or as a photographer calls it,

"At the macro level."  There is so much to choose from so he crouches down for another perspective and lets the drama unfold. 

He likens it to opening the doors to a jewelry shop, where these precious stones are embraced by an artisan to become a fabrication of the designer’s imagination.  However, Mother Nature only took the short time between dusk and dawn to fabricate these intricate works of art!  And best of all it is just outside your front door!

An early arrival is crucial.  You will find pearl-studded creatures highlighted with the first penetrating light or garnishing the flora like precious jewels.  This is one of those moments when you want to be shooting ‘into’ the sun.  As you can see, low level light added to the luster of this seed head of spike grass.


Switching to another seed head feels as if one has entered another dimension!


Can you guess what this is?

A slumbering copper butterfly waiting for the heat of the sun to melt away the morning dew.


There is so much to choose from and as he crouches down for another perspective, more drama unfolds.  Dandelions await for the heat of the day to stir the wind providing loft for seed dispersal. For now, each delicate sphere is adorned with drops of dew,

"What a beautiful brooch!"













Some that have lost most of their fluffy down, display necklaces that would make any artisan proud. 


Going deeper, getting closer, brings it to another level.  It is like probing into the distant cosmos and discovering another galaxy right at your feet! 




The notion of fall colors generally ignites visions on a grand scale, e.g., forests flowing across the countryside in swatches of red, orange and yellow.  Again, there is just as much exhibited at the ground level.  Picture this:  1.) A large rock partially conceals a pool of water, scribbling along its face provides an ideal backdrop for the inspirational “burning bush.” 


2.) A single leaf has isolated itself by becoming the first to don the warm colors of fall. 


3.) Or simply make a composition from so many similar scenarios.  Just look around,

you have your own personal gallery waiting to be discovered!


Winter is serenity, quiet, solitude.  Like any other outing, you approach it with an open mind, be passionate about your encounters and so much more is revealed.  Yes, most flora and fauna have taken a respite, but it is not about the numbers, it is about the moment. 

 

So, even with a late arrival at the hotel, the crisp air gives him hope for an early wake-up to a frosty morning.  He layers on the clothes before the sun breaks over the horizon. Perfect!”  He hastily digs out his bamboo rod and heads out to the forest.  Bulbuls scold overhead, spurring him on.  A break from the woodland; the sky has awakened the fields from their icy slumber.  It is now a race to greet the rising sun.  Looking out from atop the bridge, steam circulates across the river, a veil reflects the rays of light where brush is covered in frost; it burns with color under the cold heat of fire and ice.


He is pleased that he followed his gut, because within ten minutes the veil relinquished to the stabbing rays of the rising sun. 

Putting the wide-angle lens away, he pulls out the telephoto lens to pursue some winter finches. There were a good number of birds foraging within the tangle of reeds bordering the river.  The first encounter was recorded as follows:  brown-olive streaked back, yellow underside, streaked flank washed brown / thick yellow malar stripe reaching to unmarked nape – grayish / black lore and under chin / thin high “tink” call. Similarly, another bird:  mainly brown, yellow wash to belly, distinct yellow-cream malar stripe, raised crest.  And yet another:  olive-gray head, bright yellow throat, blacker in loral facial area / chestnut-brown in wings.  The hope was to add three new birds to his list, but it turns out they were all one in the same, Black-faced Bunting, Emberiza spodocephalla exhibiting different seasonal molts and ages. 


A bulkier type flies across in an undulating motion as it emits a sharp “chip” note, very similar to the Northern Cardinal back home. It settles on one of the taller canes and he recognizes it with the oversized bill and black mask to be a Hawfinch.  Meadow Buntings 

(Emberiza cioides) are recognized from prior visits, as they are year-round residents. 


However, several good looks were necessary to I.D. the Rustic Bunting, and fortunately there were patches with good numbers.  The first thing he jotted down (for a quick reference) was, “Clay-colored sparrow with a crest,” The clinching field marks were striped flanks and a streaked necklace across its breast. He admired how well camouflaged these birds were in this habitat.


Another glimpse of a faint chestnut ear-patch and shoulder of another bird before it dove back into the riverside vegetation sealed the I.D. for the Chestnut-eared Bunting, Emberiza fucata.

On another winter visit where the road is no longer hidden by trees, a small clearing delivers a pleasant surprise.  At first, he felt the rustling from the dried brush was another bunting, as he had heard and saw several on the way down, but he catches a glimpse of pink through the stubble before it scurries deeper and out of view.  He waits; it is still rustling about.  He waits a bit more; it stays hunkered down.  He asks himself, “Do I risk calling it out and perchance frighten it away?" He is too anxious, "Here goes, “Pishh, pishh, pishh.”  No response, he pauses and then it pops up, Carpodacus sibiricus, a Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch!  He snaps off a few pix before it retreats towards the far side of the field. “Cool!”


To snap the chill he picks up the pace and then freezes!  “Excuse me?!” A whimsical surprise has transpired and it has him frozen in his tracks; he is at the same boardwalk that hosted his “…inside a rainbow” experience.  Today, encrusted across each wooden plank, shimmering from every angle, is an ice crystal jubilee! 

So as not to deface this work of art, he detours off to the side of the walkway. Besides, these intricate shards of glass are so short-lived. 

Hastily maneuvering from every angle in an attempt to freeze the moment, he feels the heat on his back.  “If I only found this earlier,” he thinks.  Sadly, the thawing of these creations begins much too soon, eventually melting to become a reflection of tears.

     

Old Man Winter jerks at his ears – “Stupid me for packing a baseball cap,” he mumbles. Indifferent, he is pleased to be out early and enjoy the day.  Coming to the bridge, he cautiously leans over the rail so as not disturb any activity below.  Sure enough, a kingfisher beelines upriver, with a trio of carp making a hasty exit from the shallows.  “One of these days I will get a decent picture of that kingfisher!”  Just before reaching the other side, he hears the tinkling calls and buzzy riffs of a flock of birds.  They land in one of several cherry trees bordering a small car park; he veers around too quickly, they take flight.  Camera ready, they obligingly return to an adjacent tree.  It is a group of Oriental Greenfinches, Chloris sinica.

 


The forest backdrop along the river terminates and opens to fallow rice fields.  Numerous Scaly Thrushes ( Turdus eunomus ) dot the scene.





A pair of Japanese Wagtails arrive, breaking the silence with their chatter. 

 

Another resident appears, a Bull-headed Shrike (Lanius bucephalus). Reflecting on the many times he has seen and followed their activity, he has never come across a bird's larder, where it impales its prey on a thorny branch or barb wire fence. “No surprise really,” he tells himself.    “I only encountered this once before of a Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) back in Florida many years ago.”

   

The increase in light and temperature continues with each passing day. Entering a fire road that is maintained but still overgrown, he ignores the animated sign that surely does not want anyone to enter.  Often times, he finds these black-capped survey markers off the beaten path.  Having accidentally kicked a few hidden under the leaf litter, the overall red color of its post probably helps for location.  To his surprise he saw one in the center of the road, normally it would be off to the side.  When he came up to it, he was stunned, never has he seen such a brilliantly colored mushroom.  Under the gloom of a gray winter sky, darkened by large boughs of oak and cedar, out pops Asian Vermillion Slender Caesar (Amanita caesareoides) - a very fitting name for this psychedelic mushroom!


Similar to the forest preserves in his native town outside of Chicago, here, too he has embraced one of nature’s marvels, or perhaps it is the reverse; there is this odd sort of connection. Anxiety builds each time he confronts this stately Japanese Beech tree, Fagus crenata; it is firmly entrenched on a slope, its space dominated by thick contorted branches that reach out toward the sky.  In the woods back home it is a majestic Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) that has become an “Old Friend.”  These forest elders personify strength and longevity, protecting, and inspiring for those to persevere. 


Another outing, another display of Mother Nature’s grandeur. Bathed in the morning light, this sea of green is splashed with strokes of an artist’s palette:  white asters, blue gentians, yellow primrose,


and flitting orange wings of copper butterflies.


 






Japanese treefrogs (Hyla japonica) add another hue of green.


A loud, two-toned squawk stops him in his tracks!  He hears it again, “It’s over there!”  It seems this Green Pheasant (Phasiana versicolor) caught word of ‘What’s green?,’ and made certain it would not be overlooked!


While passing a rice paddy, he flushes a small flock of Eastern Spot-billed Ducks ( Anas zonorhyncha). Soon, the field terminates at the forest edge. 


Grabbing a limb, he gives it a shake and out pour some gnats, a moth, several leafhoppers, and a larger insect that lands just below his knee.  He bends down and “Behold, a work of art!” It is shaped like a shield that is decorated with warpaint!  Irregular shards of black appear as cracks across a shield of iridescent yellow green, its armament pitted throughout.  Add to this, powerfully intense brush strokes of pink that are symmetrically mirrored in the composition, leading one to ponder the purpose for such refinement!

Clown Stink Bug (Poecilicoris lewisi)


"Sayōnara!"


His story will continue with more visits of fresh encounters and photos, not to mention editting the exhausting number of pictures to be added from past trips.


Location: Farm fields and scattered woodlands adjacent to Narita International Airport, Chiba, Japan

Date: Short layover visits throughout the decades.

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