2 male Red Cheeked Starlings in Hakodate this afternoon.
2 weeks have just gone by, now we are in the second half of 2013. I was pretty busy in the second half of June and did little birding despite the great weather. Nothing around anyway, only the common stuff feeding youngsters far away from prying lenses. Last week I was watching an Osprey nest on an offshore stack. 2 chicks were present but it was too far away for a photo (I even tried digiscoping for the first time in ages but the results were terrible). A Kentish Plover south of Esashi was the only bird of any interest anywhere.
I heard secondhand of a Ruddy Kingfisher nest in Onuma. I have a vague idea of where it is and may pay a visit in the next couple of weeks. Notice I only said 'may'. It isn't only the prospect of standing around in the forest getting eaten alive by mosquitoes whilst realizing the birds are too far away for my lens and it is too dark anyway. Last time there were 30 or more photographers sporting 500 or 600mm lenses and the atmosphere wasn't always friendly. I often bump into several of the local bird photographers now and those ones are nice enough but there are some real selfish unfriendly characters around too who regard the kingfishers as 'their' birds. What the hell, I'll probably go. It may give me a chance to practice sarcastic one liners in Japanese. (Oh I see, are they your f**ing pets then?).
A bit lazy and unmotivated to do anything at the minute. I'm waiting for the start of the Ashes. I've been following the England cricket team since around 1984 and this is probably the first time in my cricket following life that England go into an Ashes series as clear favourites. I'm not 100% sure if that is a good thing though...............
I'm not really much of a rugby fan (not at all actually) but the Lions games are on TV here and the first 2 were pretty tense and exciting even for someone like me. Unlike the cricket (or footy) I don't really care if 'we' lose. That simple fact makes watching sport much more enjoyable sometimes.................
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Nice starling shots. I didn't know the rugby tests were on here. I'm dreading the ashes. Australia will lose badly. I've got so much work here for the next month but have been watching some nests too. I always avoid other photographers. Many have no skills with either people or their subjects.
ReplyDeleteHi Russell, you need a BS satellite or cable set up, it's on J Sports 1............
DeleteThe Ashes............hmmmm. Australia are not as bad and England not as strong as a lot of people seem to think. After years and years of getting thrashed by you lot I'm sure you'll understand I'd be delighted if Austrlia lose badly but I think it will be a close series.
I think you are right about England being favourites for the Ashes. Not a good idea, especially against Australia however bad they may be beforehand. Really quiet birding wise here too and not even any photographers to wind up.
ReplyDeleteHi Phil, yes this time of year is a little slow everywhere at certain latitudes I think........
DeleteHi Stuart:)
ReplyDeleteHaven't forgotten you,just been busy too!! Love your Red Cheeked Starling shots.Do I detect some green feathers? How rude of those photographers to hog the best places! Wimbledon has kept me glued to the box:) Happy cricket viewing!
I haven't watched Wimbledon since the days of Mcenroe and Borg!
DeleteYes, the Ashes to look forward to. The British Lions series in Australia is on here in HK, too.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a bird photographer, but it's hard to avoid the hordes at some of our birding sites. And it seems many "newbies" (and, to be fair some of the "oldies" too) have little concern for the welfare of their subjects.
Ho hum...
Hi John, sadly the Ashes won't be on TV in Japan but I'm sure I can find an oline feed somewhere (or failing that TMS).
DeleteIt's a bit of a backwater round here for both birding and bird photograhy, usually I don't see many (or any) birders around but there was a real scrum at the Ruddy Kingfisher nest a few years ago. The birds weren't affected (the young all fledged successfully) but some of the people pointing lenses at the birds were not the most friendly of folk. I imagine Mai Po at peak wader passage or when a rarity turns up is pretty bad........
Photographers are the ultimate hate figures among birders here. Lots of bird harassment going on as the hobby has boomed in the digital age. If only the dafties would realise that nice close shots come with a bit of understanding of bird behaviour and patience.
ReplyDeleteCricket? Not too popular up here (because we are rubbish at it - along with football and rugby for that matter).
Hi Stuart, well at least you have Andy Murray...............and nice scenery.............
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