Winter in Imazu 1

The first birds of the year in the Imazu area.

American Wigeon, アメリカヒドリ　Seems to be a yearly visitor now

Grey Plover, ダイゼン  Just 1 bird - same as last year?

Male Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

There have been so many females in the past, I nearly forgot what a male looked like 😀

Harlequin Ducks, シノリガモ

It would have been nice to see them a bit closer, but every time I check they move further away.

Red-breasted Mergansers, ウミアイサ male and female. 

Winter would not be the same without them

Harlequin Ducks, シノリガモ

  

The first time I went to see the 2 ducks the sky was cloudy and though the ducks cooperated in every sense, the colors wouldn't come out well

Even when a little bit of sunshine broke through

The next day the sky was clear. What a difference!

Indulging on small crab

Before swallowing the crab was rinsed a few times 

Nearly lost it!

The young male seemed to manage well

Getting the next one

Off again, to the cliffs at the far end

I felt very privileged to share these moments with them 💝

Harlequin Ducks, シノリガモ

 

The first time I went to see the 2 ducks the sky was cloudy and though the ducks cooperated in every sense, the colors wouldn't come out well

Even when a little bit of sunshine broke through

The next day the sky was clear. What a difference!

Indulging on small crab

Before swallowing the crab was rinsed a few times 

Nearly lost it!

The young male seemed to manage well

Getting the next one

Off again, to the cliffs at the far end

I felt very privileged to share these moments with them 💝

Back in Fukuoka: Brent Geese, コクガン and Harlequin Ducks, シノリガモ

After an absence of over 2 weeks, I had a lot to catch up on. First there were the Brant Geese, コクガン that I saw on January 2nd, but failed to upload earlier. Time, time, time. I need 48 hours in a day!

 

Brent Goose couple, コクガン

Which one would be the male? Which one the female?

Nice, a partner who is always on your side

At the coast I looked for the 3 Harlequin Ducks, シノリガモ that occasionally come close.

I found one a long way out, but it paid to wait.

When it - she? returned to the reef 2 more joined her.

And WHAT is this?