Nakayoshi

One of the surprises when driving around in an unknown part of Kyushu

Heavy Metal

Early morning sunrise reflexion in some metal sheets

(Great...?) Cormorants, (カワ)ウ

Even the locals were surprised seeing so many Cormorants lined up like this on the beach.

Kagoshima part 3, Brown Boobies, カツオドリ

After seeing them in groups of 2 or 3 around Fukuoka this spectacle was such a treat! Around 12 birds gathered in a joined hunt about 50-100m from the dock of the harbor in Yamagawa.

There were abour 15 Cormorants as well, staying mostly under water - only their heads would pop up occasionally - and a couple of Black-tailed Gulls

It was the first time I actually saw a Booby with a fish. I suppose they usually swallow them the very moment they catch them - under the surface. Unlike the Cormorants, who eat their catch above.

Waxwings

January is the month for Mistletoe,ヤドリの木 and Firethorn, ピラカンス berries to ripen and become a delicacy for the winter birds. The Waxwings had feasted on the trees in the park while we were in Kagoshima. I just got a little left-over

Japanese Waxwing, ヒレンジャク

Japanese White-eye or Warbling White-eye, メジロ

Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ

Portrait of a Pale Thrush, シロハラ

Elsewhere in the park a Yellow-bellied Tit was seen, but I missed it. 

Brambling, アトリ

Japanese Bushwarbler, ウグイス

Long-tailed Tit, エナガ

Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

Kagoshima 2: Around Ibusuki and beyond

We walked around the small town of Yamagawa, where we had parked for the night, and drove to the market to buy some potatoes (YUMMY YUMMY SATSUMA IMO!) Satsuma Peninsula is part of Kyushu, but it sometimes feels like another country. The temperature is a lot more agreeable in January, About 5-8 degrees higher then Fukuoka. The volcanic soil produces such tasty veges. And I'm not even going to write about the hot springs there...

Some interesting roof ornamentation in Yamagawa

Lots of stray cats, well looked after I think

Kaimon Dake, seen from Nishi Oyama station

After the party we left Kagoshima and briefly stopped in Hitoyoshi and Yatsushiro before heading home. 

Kuma River

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Grey Heron, アオサギ

Mandarin Ducks, オシドリ  So shy!

One lucky Grey Wagtail, キセキレイ

In Yatushiro the trees were full with Thrushes

Dusky Thrush, ツグミ

And what is this? A fruiting Fig tree??? Never seen one in Japan before
Learned later it is called アコウ

Overall it was a grey day.

And a clear night