Spring, I think...................

A sunny springlike day in Hakodate, well it is the end of March I suppose.

This afternoon I was in the harbour at Kamiiso.............


2014 has been rather disappointing as far as harbour birds go. Usually March is a great month with lots of grebes, seaducks and other goodies in the many small ports in south Hokkaido but this year has seen many ports devoid of bird life. I have no inkling why either.

There were at least a few birds in the port (and the other side of the seawall) today though. 4 Grear Crested Grebe, all coming into summer plumage. This is a fairly common winter visitor but we don't see many in breeding plumage............

One of them had a bill deformity..............lots of birds seem to have them these days................

There were 7 species of gull and various ducks too..................including Red Breasted Merganser, Gadwall and Black Scoter.

I went back to the park in the east of town with my 500mm lens for another go at the Crossbills. 2 came very close before I set up the tripod...............here's one. It was way too dark but Lightroom saved it.

After I set up the tripod and much to my annoyance they refused to come anywhere near..................

Coal Tit were by far the commonest bird in the park.................

Other stuff ain and around town this last few days has included Great Egret, lots and lots of Redpoll, Hawfinch, Grey Headed and Black Woodpecker, Scaup and Goldeneye. The first singing Skylarks on the edge of town shows spring is just about here................

I'm starting to accept that Liverpool might, just might, win the Premier Laegue now. Wow, it's been a long long time since Liverpool were champions. The world has changed so much.The last time they won I was 24 years younger, 20 or so Kg lighter and still a University student with long hair. I still listened to records (not even CDs). Smartphones and internet (let alone Digital SLRs) were beyond my wildest dreams. I had never even heard of Hokkaido.....................