Around Mt. Kuju

Later that morning I walked to my favorite points at Mt Kuju, telling myself NOT to hang around with the buntings. I would end up with the same images as the last time. Last timeS I should say.
So I didn't have the right lens for this guy. But what the hell, I was happy and it wasn't even 9am yet!

Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ

Calling hours on end and flying over my head numerous times: Lesser Cuckoo, ホトトギス

One of the Buntings I wasn't supposed to be looking at, Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

 In time for Japanese Snowbell to drop it's blossom in the stream. I had hoped for this!
エゴノキ

Still around, the mysterious plant ギンリュウソウ, Monotropastrum humile

last a purple question mark

To be continued

Early morning in Oita, on the way to Kuju-Aso national park

I love going there with Jaap and camping overnight. We do our own things in the morning and take time for each other after that. But sometimes you have to be by yourself, to be able to stretch the time a bit when you need it, like me when I wanted to take that certain shot...

All photos were taken from the same place. The cloud cover was quite thick, like a blanket at first. When the sun started to burn some off interesting details came into view.

Changed from zoom to macro

Look at the mountain dew on this Artona moth

It couldn't move yet - lucky me! 

Artona Gracilis, キスジホンマダラ 

Playing with some bokeh

To be continued

Kyushu camping car drive

We drove a camping car to Kikuchi in Kumamoto and a small place beyond called Shikinosato for a meeting of camping car owners. While Jaap did his job...

Be it a camper van, way to go.
http://3seven77.net/en/

... I explored the premises.

Solomon's Seal, オオナルコユリ

Stick insect, ナナフシ on the left and a 7 Spot Ladibird, テントウムシ on the way to a meal of aphids, アブラムシ

  

The earthy colors of this scene with some well kept goats fascinated me 

On the way back to Fukuoka we found an interesting shrine, hidden in a cave

  

The rainy season had not started yet, but the mountain forests were lush and green. Winding roads and rice paddies everywhere.

Japanese Iris, アヤメ 

Our camping car for those days: Crea. Very comfortable!

Asian Brown Flycatcher babies, コサメビタキ no 2

There isn't much to report in the world of birds. At least not around my location. When I walk in the woods I can hear them, but that's it. On one occasion I heard the Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, xxx calling right above me. In a place that I'd never expected to see them. How I wish I had a photo to show...

The Asian Brown Flycatcher babies, コサメビタキ (see post) are doing well. They left the nest and parents keep busy feeding them and chasing other birds away. The thick foliage made it difficult, but I located 3 babies:

Below a Japanese Great Tit, シジュウカラ

And Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ

Dollarbirds, ブッポウソウ

Very far, my 300mm lens with 2.0 tc can barely make it.
The couple is getting ready.

A bit of display by the male.

Off to get her a present.

And then the act

They visited the nest a few times. I hope to see the chicks next time.