昨日はオホーツク海側の春の「流氷接岸」の様子をお知らせしましたが、札幌では陽射しは完全に春に移行してきたけれど、風は寒さも厳しいままでいわば「複合する季節」で推移しています。
　そういう中ですが、散歩による運動量は徐々に増やしてきていて、昨日などは合計で15,000歩超レベル。
　真冬装備ではなく「軽い」冬装備程度の、先日３月13-18日までの本州各地での冬のいでたち軽量ダウンジャケットを着た状態では、内側で少し汗ばむ程度までの運動量になって来ています。散歩は朝・昼・夕方の３回も出撃を繰り返しておりました。本格的な春に向けて体動を活発化させられています。ウレシイ。
　さて、そういう人間の行動活発化と「寄り添う」ようにヒグマの胎動情報も、徐々に知らされるようになって来ています。北海道の場合には春のシン季語として、ヒグマが有力候補になってくるでしょう。けっしてうれしくない季語として・・・。
　上の情報はLINEで発出されていた札幌市からの広報記事であります。写真はわたしの散歩コースの「西野緑道」周辺の琴似発寒川から、札幌南方の山並み方向をみた様子。雪融けの河川増水ぶりと、冬景色から徐々に土の面が大きくなって来た山並みが強い陽射しにあたって強い反射光を照り返している。こういうコントラストが好きなのですが、同時にヒグマたちも大好きなのでしょうね。自然の摂理。
　昨年は野生動物の人間界への猖獗ぶりから、さまざまなアラートが繰り返されていましたが、さて今年の春以降、どんな推移を見せてくるか、散歩を最大の健康増進機会と考えている人間には、そのコース選択でいろいろ悩ましくなってくることが予想されます。
　そういえば先般の道庁建設局の諮問会議で同席の知人も琴似発寒川周辺にお住まいですが、かれはペットの柴犬くんと毎朝散歩されているのにときどき出会うのですが、そのコース選択は飼い犬にすべてお任せにしているとのこと。先日見かけたときも柴犬くんがグイグイ引っ張っていた。聞いたら、コースはその日の飼い犬の選択だそうで、同じ動物同士だと、カンも働いて危険回避型になってくれるのかも知れませんね。
　散歩の安全確保策、いろいろ考えて行きたい。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[March in Sapporo: A Mix of Warmth and Cold Winds—Even the Brown Bears Are Stirring (Scary)]
It’s the way of nature. In spring, having awakened from hibernation, they begin to roam their usual territories from previous years, ravenous for food. Ensuring safety is an absolute priority. …

　Yesterday, I reported on the spring “drift ice reaching shore” along the Sea of Okhotsk coast, but here in Sapporo, while the sunshine has fully shifted to spring, the wind and cold remain harsh, so we’re essentially in a “mixed season.”
　Even so, I’ve been gradually increasing the amount of exercise I get from walking; yesterday, for example, I exceeded 15,000 steps in total.
　Wearing “light” winter gear—rather than full-on winter gear—specifically the lightweight down jacket I wore during my recent trip to various parts of Honshu from March 13–18, I’ve reached a level of activity where I break a light sweat underneath. I’ve been going out for walks three times a day—morning, noon, and evening. I’m getting my body moving more actively in preparation for the full-fledged arrival of spring. It makes me happy.
Now, just as human activity picks up, reports of brown bear activity are also gradually emerging, as if to “accompany” us. In Hokkaido, the brown bear is likely to become a strong candidate for a spring seasonal keyword. Though certainly not a keyword to be happy about…
　The information above comes from a public announcement by the City of Sapporo shared via LINE. The photo shows the view from the Kotoni-Hassamu River near the “Nishino Greenway”—my walking route—looking toward the mountain range south of Sapporo. The swollen river from melting snow and the mountain range, where the bare earth is gradually becoming more visible after the winter scenery, reflect the strong sunlight. I love this kind of contrast, and I imagine the brown bears love it too. It’s the way of nature.
　Last year, various alerts were repeatedly issued due to the rampant incursions of wild animals into human habitats. Now, as we head into this spring and beyond, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. For those of us who view walking as the best opportunity for health promotion, choosing a walking route is likely to become a source of increasing concern.
　Come to think of it, an acquaintance of mine who was present at the recent advisory meeting of the Hokkaido Government’s Construction Bureau lives near the Kotoni-Hassamu River. I occasionally run into him as he takes his pet Shiba Inu for a walk every morning, and he told me he leaves the choice of route entirely up to his dog. The other day when I saw them, the Shiba Inu was pulling him along with great determination. When I asked, he said the route is entirely up to the dog that day. Perhaps, since they’re animals, their instincts kick in and they naturally choose a route that avoids danger.
I’d like to continue exploring various ways to ensure safety during walks.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.
　
　

Posted on 3月 28th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類