10 January 2013

Wintry weather for winter visitors



A Japanese Waxwing in the park near my apartment this afternoon.

God it's cold. Absolutely f***ing freezing in fact. Bitter wind blowing in from Siberia, deep deep snow everywhere.

Still, winter is the season for Waxwings.



There were about 15-20 in the flock. At first it was snowing so like the eagles last weekend it was very dark and also difficult to focus.



The flock was also regularly driven away by the bigger more aggressive Dusky Thrushes and Brown Eared Bulbuls. I was freezing my a** off in the park hoping they would return and that the snow would stop.

The snow did stop and back they came.







The snow was deep enough to get inside my boots and my feet were frozen so I headed back to the warmth as the snow returned. Hopefully they'll stick around for a few days, the park is only 5 minutes away.

There were no waxwings of either species last year, I wonder if this is going to be a waxwing winter or not..............it's looking good so far at least.

Other stuff around this week included Brown Dipper, Wren, Siberian Meadow Bunting, a flock of half a dozen or so Long Tailed Rosefinch, Hawfinch, Dusky Thrush, Grey Heron and Great Egret.

There were 4 egrets around a couple of days ago and one of them caught a fish, I just about managed to get my camera on it just before it finished swallowing....................



It may be pretty darn cold up in Hokkaido but winter is my favourite season...................Eagles and Waxwings, what more could one want?

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11 comments:

  1. Wow! Excellent pictures! I'm so jealous. It's not as cold here but totally miserable. -2c, raining and snowing and I can't find birds other than crows and bulbuls.

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    1. Well we have crows and bulbuls up here too...............but it hasn't been as warm as minus 2 for a while now...............

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  2. You made me feel cold,:) but those pale blue wintery skies speak for themselves. Great Waxwing captures, and timely Egret capture.

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  3. stunning shots of the Waxers Stu. I think the JP Waxers are the best of the 3 species.

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    1. Hi, thanks for the reply, long time no hear. I saw your great Waxwing photo from Ireland on flickr...........

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  4. Absolutely stunning shots! I, for one, am glad that you froze your a** so that you get them. cheers and stay warm.

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  5. Brilliant shots Stu. I think you conveyed how cold it is over there, ours is due next week.

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    1. Thanks Phil...............the last time I was in the UK it was almost as cold as Hokkaido is now.............

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  6. The Japanese Waxwings are brilliant, I love the Great Egret eating a fish. Great photos Stu.

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  7. Nice captures! So that egret could really swallow that whole fish down its long/skinny neck okay? Does the unlucky fish get gulped down wriggling the whole way as well?!

    -Kyle

    Reply: Mexicankyle35@gmail.com

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