Aisatsu

Aisatsu

This blog is for family and friends, to share my feelings and photos with and for myself, to support my fading memory. Readers who have my site translated automatically, please refer to the original if necessary. Especially when it comes to identification. Any comments, anonymous or by email name are always welcome!.

Thursday, 7 August 2025

Mountain stuff, but no birds

The heat is getting worse. A temperature of over 40C was recorded not far from me. The mountains are a little cooler, but not much. I walk every day, but some days I see nothing. When the wind brings some fresh air I look for butterflies


The Dryad, ジャノメチョウ





Labyrinth, キマダラヒカゲ



 Asian Comma, キタテハ





Pea Blue, ウラナミシジミ



 Eurasian White Admiral , イチモンジチョウ





Ko-oniyamma dragonfly, コオニヤンマ



Jumbo Dragonfly オニヤンマ · 



Gomadara Kamikiri Longhorn beetle, ゴマダラカミキリ



Ballerina Orchid Platanthera mandarinorum?



Nogilan, ノギラン



Miyama Akane dragonfly, ミヤマアカネ 



Ooyotsusuji Hanakamikiri Longhorn beetle, オオヨツスジハナカミキリ





Long-tailed Tit, エナガ


Wednesday, 6 August 2025

Gunbai Dragonfly, グンバイトンボ

 When I heard about these dragonflies, I went to check them out right away. They are an endangered species and noted in the red data list. Who knows when and where I get the chance to see them again. The white "flags" on their legs make it easy to follow them when they fly. They look so funny!


Gunbai Dragonfly, グンバイトンボ





A pairing couple






Other dragonflies included the Crimson Marsh Glider, ベニトンボ 







White-legged Dragonfly spec. Monosashitombo, モノサシトンボ



And Miyamakawatombo, ミヤマカワトンボ whose appearance can change drastically within a second





After a frogless spring I was happy to meet
Japanese Tree Frog, ニホンアマガエル in green...


...and grey



Other things worth mentioning: Sawtooth Longhorn Beetle, ノコギリカミキリ



Orange-flowered Surprise Lily, キツネノカミソリ


It was a surprising day!

Monday, 28 July 2025

Ruddy Kingfisher, アカショウビン July 27th

Continued from the previous day.



When I arrived around 9:30, a bill could be seen protruding a little, just like yesterday. Then the bill stuck out more and a face appeared! It was the first time I clearly saw a chick's face.



It came out even further and.... it flew!



After a short clumsy flight it landed on a tree branch in front of us.
For a few long seconds it stayed there, offering me a perfect view. What a cuty!






Then it took off, fluttering through the foliage, landing somewhere out of sight.
Fortunately Mr Y. with his young sharp eyes located it on the ground in the valley below.



For the rest of the morning I could watch it moving around, getting used to the outside world, stretching its wings, preening.















Just after midday number 2 flew out.



Younger by a day or so



Parents are going to be very busy now. There were a few awkward moments when someone with an insect net entered the river bed under the nest, when crows came too close and a group of hunters got ready for their thing.



However, the most distressing thing was when the mother brought food to the nest for a 3rd chick, but the food was not accepted. She tried and tried, but the chick had probably died.
😪

Last photo of the hopeful mother



Despite the sad ending, I tell myself to be happy with such a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The treasured memory will live forever 💓

Ruddy Kingfisher, アカショウビン July 26th

According to our calculations, the chicks should be ready to leave the nest soon. Time to check.


The 2 parents were around the nest all day long.





Down near the stream, looking for frogs







The female was watching the nest more than anything







At the other observation point from where the nest can be seen.



Ohhh! A bill!



2 Bills!



It won't be long anymore...




Looking forward to the next day 💗