ここのところ、散歩道のいつものコース、琴似発寒川の流れを注視してきています。だいたい例年、この時期にはわが家のすぐ近く、およそ500mほど西側を流れているこの川に、サケの遡上が見られるので、それを確認したいと思っている次第。
　で、きのうは散歩の帰り道で注視していたところ、上の写真のような魚影を確認。同好のみなさんと橋の上から発見して「おお、サケだ。ことしも来てくれた」と歓喜していた。この草むらの境界線の辺りで体力を温存して、遡上用に流路の一部を工夫したすぐ近くのポイントからジャンプして、さらに上流を狙うのが、例年のかれらの行動パターン。
　とりあえず確認できたのは１匹だけでしたが、これからどんどん増えていくようになる。
　しかし、それを狙って橋の手すりのところには、悪党のカラスどもがまるで人間を威嚇でもするかのように睥睨して睨んでくる。「ここはオレの縄張りだからな」という無言の主張。一昨日までは１羽だけだったものが、きのうには複数個体が周辺を群れるように上空を占拠していた。
　やはり自然の摂理、サケの遡上は間違いがない、その証拠とも思われました。
　AIに画像を確認させても、小石や砂利、砂地を好むサケの習性とその泳ぎっぷり、まっすぐに直線的に泳ぐ姿勢もサケであることを証立てているとの返答。
　人口170万人の大都会のなかで、こういう自然の輪廻を目の当たりにすることができるのは、まことにシアワセ。橋を通る老若男女の目が一斉に輝きを見せてくる。北海道人には独特の「待っていたぜよ
」という共通する思いがあるのだと思います。先日も目で探しているとき、小学校低学年程度とおぼしき子どもさん連れの方と話していて、わたしは子どもさんに「スポット」を教えていた。
　サケの遡上という自然からの叫び声は、住んでいる人間を鼓舞し呼応させるパワーを持っている。
　なんというか、ふるさとを共有するイキモノ同士の対話なのかも知れませんね。
　この個体は「走り」でしょうから、これから多くのサケがわが家のヨコを通って行ってくれることになるのでしょう。大自然のいとなみの素晴らしさに感謝。

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English version⬇

[Salmon Run in Yamano-te, Nishi Ward, Downtown Sapporo on the Autumnal Equinox]
Fish were spotted at a resting spot along the river. The sight has a way of inspiring a collective “Wow!” from everyone watching. A northern metropolis where one can feel in tune with the pulse of nature. …

　Lately, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Kotoni-Hassamu River along my usual walking route. Around this time of year, salmon are usually seen swimming upstream in this river—which flows about 500 meters west of my house—so I’ve been hoping to spot them.
　So, yesterday, as I was keeping a close watch on my way back from my walk, I spotted a fish silhouette like the one in the photo above. My fellow enthusiasts and I spotted it from the bridge and rejoiced, saying, “Oh, it’s a salmon! They’ve come again this year.” Their usual pattern of behavior is to conserve their energy near the edge of this grassy area, then leap from a nearby spot where the riverbed has been modified to aid their upstream migration, aiming for even higher ground.
　For now, I’ve only confirmed one fish, but their numbers will surely keep growing from here on out.
　However, lurking by the bridge railing, a gang of ravenous crows glared at me as if to intimidate me, as if to say, “This is my territory.” Until the day before yesterday, there was only one, but by yesterday, several of them had taken over the sky above, swarming the area like a flock.
　This seemed to be further proof that the salmon run—a natural phenomenon—is indeed taking place.
Even when I had an AI analyze the images, it confirmed that the salmon’s behavior—their preference for small stones, gravel, and sandy bottoms, along with their swimming style and the way they swim in a straight line—all served as evidence that they were indeed salmon.
　It is truly a blessing to be able to witness this cycle of nature right in the heart of a metropolis with a population of 1.7 million. The eyes of men, women, and children of all ages crossing the bridge light up in unison. I think people from Hokkaido share a unique, collective feeling of “We’ve been waiting for this!”
The other day, while I was scanning the area, I spoke with a parent accompanying a child who appeared to be in the lower grades of elementary school, and I pointed out the “spot” to the child.
　The salmon run—this cry from nature—possesses the power to inspire and resonate with the people who live here.
　How should I put it? Perhaps it’s a dialogue between living creatures who share the same homeland.
　Since this one is part of the “first run,” I imagine many more salmon will be passing right by my house from now on. I am grateful for the splendor of nature’s workings.

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

Posted on 9月 24th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類