If global warming deniers need proof that the climate is
warming, how about sunflowers in December?
 |
| Park and Playground near Okayama Airport |
 |
| cultivated pine and red camellias |
Christmas day here in Japan was a bright sunny day with
comfortable temperatures in the high teens Centigrade. We decided to go walking
at a park near the airport in the morning to work up an appetite for a special 7-course
Christmas dinner at our favorite French restaurant.
 |
| playing carpet golf |
 |
| sunflower and rape blossoms |
There were several cars in the parking lot when we arrived
at the park. There were many families with children enjoying the weather and
the Sunday holiday. As we were walking towards the airport runway we noticed
something unusual for this time of year. From a distance it didn’t seem
possible. But as we got closer the “something unusual” turned out to be a
sunflower—something that one wouldn’t have seen in December in the past.
 |
| narcissus |
 |
| pampas grass |
It isn't only sunflowers that are blooming out of season. One can also see rape and narcissus blossoms as well. It
made me reflect that over the past 20 years the native pine trees that used to dot the
surrounding mountains had been turning brown and dying year after year until,
now, there are hardly any left.
 |
| airport runway -- Okayama City in the far background |
 |
| take off |
But, now we have sunflowers for Xmas.
Who needs poinsettias?
