High mountains 1

It was the first day of April. In the lowlands, the weather was warm and green fields were dotted with yellow and purple flowers. Groves of Cherry blossom trees stood out on the slopes. It looked all so pretty. However, I headed for the mountains, where the fields were still brown and grey or vague green due to a layer of frost. I realized I wasn't finished with winter yet. 

Frost-layered Purple Dead-nettle

A Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ, sticking its head out, sniffing the cold air.

Many Thrushes, mostly Dusky, had gathered. They were moving in small flocks, eating as much as possible, preparing to migrate to the north.

Mr. Dusky Thrush, ツグミ, is about to move on.

See you next year 💗

The sun rose and warmed the air. A Japanese Green Pheasant, キジ appeared at the same location as the year before, and before, and before...

In the woods, many woodpeckers were active, but stayed high up in the tall trees. I waited a long time for one to come down, White-backed Woodpecker, オオアカゲラ

The noisiest birds around the streams, Eurasian Wren, ミソサザイ

All that energy. I got tired just from watching it.

To be continued

No water!

One day it was very cold. The water in the basin was frozen. Many Grosbeaks came down from the trees, but could not get a proper drink. Panic!

Japanese Grosbeak, イカル

Where are you walking? On Ice!!?

It didn't take long to figure it out. They all left.

Next chance: a nook in one of the big trees. The space is small and there wasn't much water in it. Good conditions for some squabbling and skirmishing.

Not only the Grosbeaks. These Dusky Thrushes, ツグミ were annoyed as well.

At a different tree, the same Grosbeaks.

It's hard in winter when the competition is fierce. I hope they will all make it to spring

Starlings in the park

The best place for birdwatching this winter is M park, in the city. It attracts a lot of photographers, but that can also be fun. It sure beats staying at home, despite the cold.

Red-billed Starling, ギンムクドリ

Other visitors, looking for water in the big trees, are mostly Japanese Grosbeaks, イカル... 

...and Thrushes, like this Dusky Thrush, ツグミ

Around the west, Nishi-ku

A few bits and pieces from my occasional walks in the neighborhood.  It's not very often I see a Hawk in our harbor. It landed right in front of me, chasing something I could not see. What was all the franticness about?

Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

The Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ is a long-term resident here. He likes the fishermen.

My personal Blue Rock Thrush in our back-yard dock, perched on our old bucket with my left-over water plants. Have to think of a name.

In the entrance of M. River, usually far from the banks: Common Goldeneye, ホオジロガモ, male and female

Mata ne, see you

Dusky Thrush, ツグミ 

 Oriental Greenfinches, カワラヒワ