March 23rd 2014.
A Eurasian Curlew at Esashi 2 years ago today. I grew up seeing plenty of these in the UK but in south Hokkaido they are surprisingly rare and this is the only one I've ever seen in Japan (the similar Eastern Curlew is a common passage visitor).
Its upper mandible was half missing and it was around very early for a passage wader, I hope it survived its visit to my little corner of the world...............
gorgeous shot and yes I hope it does survive
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, well it seemed relatively healthy despite its beak injury/deformity..........
DeleteHello Stuart!:) Congratulations of your sighting of the Eurasion Curlew. Great shot!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLovely detailed BiF, Stu. you managed to get the details so beautifully in contrast to the out of focussed background. Is that with the 500 f4? I need me one of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Russell, yes it was.............
DeleteIt's surprising how many birds there are to be seen with some major or minor deformity. There was a one legged Curlew hopping about Cockerham Marsh for a year or two before it eventually disappeared. One legged waders seem to be the most common but I see deformed bills occasionally.
ReplyDeleteI see lots of crows and jays with deformed bills, alao waders. They all seem to have the full set of legs though.............
DeleteBeautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Linda..............
DeleteThe dorsal view is a bit unusual and always a good angle for a BIF, I think.
ReplyDeleteHad to pause a minute to think about what 'dorsal view' means................!!
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