I went to the small local park this morning to check for Crossbills. There weren't any there but I was surprised to find this Great Egret sitting in the pine trees..........
A nice sunny morning, this and the white plumage made it one of those very rare days when I use ISO100 on my camera.............
Also around were Daurian Redstart, Long Tailed Rosefinch, Hawfinch, a lone male Wigeon, Dusky Thrush, Coal Tit whilst in Goryokaku Park there was a flock of 15-20 Brambling and the male Grey Headed Woodpecker, no shots from there alas.
Yesterday a friend tried to drive me to Yakumo but we had to turn back because he got his car keys mixed up with another set (his wife's car) and we thought we had been locked out of the car after a stop at a convenience store..............mechanics and a locksmith came before the mistake was discovered...............it's funny now at least..........
At Onuma we fed the Nuthatches.
Among the tame Whooper Swans and Mallards there were a few Goldeneye but the main point of interest was a violently bubbling hot spring that seems to have emerged.............it means an ice free bit of lake at least............
Well out of range for a decent shot were 4 Smew, 3 males and one female.
Like I say they were well out of range........
We were able to sneak a quick look at Nanaehama, the Lapland Buntings were still there..........
I've tried not to mention it but the road construction outside my apartment has been going on since that day I got back from England (so about 6 weeks), my god I'm getting sick of it.
I've been watching 'Peep Show' on youtube, this completely passed me by here in Japan and I have to say it's pretty funny.
I watched the Manc derby, great goal by Rooney but please not another Man U title, christ I'd rather Arsenal won it.
Thanks for clicking this link...........
Hi Stu,
ReplyDeleteEven out of range, I would have love to see smew. I've only seen a female, once last year over here... it is quite rare....
beautiful shots of the egrets and yous aw many birds. a fine trip isn't it?
A bad photo of a male Smew is better than none. They're nice birds. I've only ever seen redheads, never the adult males.
ReplyDeleteThat Rooney goal was pretty decent but, if it had been a goal from a player of a club outside the top 4, let alone outside the PL, it may not have been as remarked upon as it has. Still a good goal though.
Great Egret or Cattle Egret? Great captures,that Nuthache too.
ReplyDeleteIt's always funny to see an egret high up in a tree, but they seem to like doing it, well in Western Australia they do.
ReplyDeleteWow Smew is another great species I'd love to find! Chances are rare in Kyushu though... The Lapland Bunting shot also looks really nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, yes Smew is on the list of birds I really want to get a decent picture of...........
ReplyDeleteHi Richard, I can remember all the egrets up in trees in FNQ.......