Painted Snipe, タマシギ

Last year I spent quite a bit of time with them, as seen in a blog post in June 2013.

click  HERE

These images are just to confirm that they have come back.

male:

female:

forming a pair, I presume

White-cheeked Starling, ムクドリ

One of the most common birds in my area. I never have to look far. This flock visiting a freshly ploughed field has many young birds that have just left the nest. Their markings not yet defined, they appear to be a different species.

A busy (single?) father: Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Around a small farmers' community: 3 Hungry little chicks and one busy parent, the father. The latter kept up a steady supply of worms, caterpillars and butterflies for his family, who were following him everywhere and didn't allow him any rest. We watched them for the best part of the morning but didn't see the mother. Where was she?

Sometimes the babies managed to find some edibles on their own.

But never enough

Got to learn how to properly use these wings.

  

The smallest of the 3. Trying hard, pulling out a bit of dried grass on the left. Proudly holding a tiny beetle on the right.

All 4 birds together at what seemed to be their favorite hang out.

  

Trying the roof of a farm house. Might find some spiders...

Brown Hawk Owl, アオバズク

A bit late this year, but it looks like we are nesting.

今年も来ました　よかった!

Grey-headed Lapwing, ケリ

A pair of agitated Lapwing parents are terrorizing the neighborhood. Any creature stepping into their paddy field gets scolded with loud cries, followed by an attack if necessary. I don't think these birds have the weapon-type sharp nails on their wings like their cousins in New Zealand, but they can be just as fierce!

 In the far corner lingers a half-grown chick. It seems to have to find it's own food, the parents are too busy guarding. They even turn their back to the baby when it comes close, I presume to divert attention from crows. 

  

A week later I've come to the same place. The Lapwings are there, 3 of them. This chick looks quite a bit bigger. Would this be the same bird?

Pheasant-tailed Jacana, レンカク nr2

For the second time this year I got the chance to photograph this wonderful bird! This time even close-up and in a rice paddy with young plants, that were not too tall. Among this fresh green it looked so pretty!! I've overloaded the page with photos. (again) You never know when we get to see this again.

 

Genieten

Just a short bath

Notice  the size of my feet!!! Made to walk on water lily leaves.

Taking a break

 

Visiting another paddy. Not for long because the lapwing families in there don't like that one little bit!

Whenever I look at this page I feel very privileged to be able to document this magnificent Pheasant-tailed Jacana. It motivates me to think hard about our planet earth and about what we can do to preserve this.