The deer here have gotten fairly comfortable with the human inhabitants, hanging out around the river banks behind the Kawayu shrine. But today we start heading further north to the coastal fishing village of Rausu.
Just 24 km off the coast is Kunashir island, which was annexed by by Russia towards the end of the second World War.
A sideline for the boats in Rausu is tourism, the cruises can see anything from killer whales to dolphins. In winter White Tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagles are the attraction. From seeing the numbers of Steller’s here, you would not think it is a vulnerable species. But the are less than 5000 of these big birds. It is the heaviest of all eagles, weighing up to 10kg, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres.
Certainly the seagulls don’t argue with them when the eagles grab the handouts from the tourist boats.
Later, on a drive up the Notsuke Spit national park, there are deer everywhere. They feel safe here obviously as we line up on the side of the road to take photos. As does the Ezo fox that wanders past the little bus we came in.
Tonight’s bed is again a traditional futon on tatami mats with a blanket and a thick doona. If it wasn’t for the heating, it would be cold.
