Brown Hawk Owls again, アオバズク part 2

When will I see you again???
I stopped by in the early evening and found 4 owls sleeping soundly. It didn't take long though, once the sun was down they all woke up. First Dad. He started practicing for the angel contest. (and wasn't very good at it) Then the kids became alert and finally Mum, who'd pretended to be asleep lifted her head. There was just enough light to catch the action. Thanks to the Nikon 300mm 2.8F

And off they were, chasing insects.

Brown Hawk Owl family, アオバズク

This year I saw only one family. The chicks came out late. Maybe because the rainy season ended late and the cicada's didn't chirp much.

Parents waiting Male on the left, female right

A number of birders gathered every day and they waited too. Then finally: 2 babies

These Brown Hawk Owls are very nocturnal and during the day they don't do much. Just sit in a dark and well hidden corner of a big tree and sleep. But the newborns are way too excited for that. They stay put, but watch their surroundings with great curiosity, often stretching their wings and talons.

Wondering what these noisy buggers are, not yet sure they can be eaten or not sure how to catch one.

Why move or turn around, if you can just turn your head 180 degrees. Or more!

Cuddles

Kanatake Meeting July 17th

Mid summer, the temperatures are soaring. But because of the rainy season being late it wasn't too bad. Rain was in the forcast, but again not so much for Fukuoka. The morning stayed humid but dry.

At first a Miyama Kimakiri Longhorn beetle, ミヤマキマキリWhat a giant bug!

Kobushi Magnolia, (Kobushi) コブシ Resembling the knuckels of our hands

オトギリソウ Otogirisou

Aster Yomena, (Yomena) ヨメナ

Short-tailed Blue, (Tsubame Shijimi) ツバメシジミ

28-spotted Potato Ladybird, (Nijuuyahoshitentoumushi) ニジュウヤホシテントウムシ

The sembei of that day: Japanese Fire Belly Newt, (Akahara Imori) アカハライモリAll dried up.

Alive and well: Japanese Grass Lizard, (Nihon Kanahebi), ニホンカナヘビ

Japanese Katydid, (Kirigirisu) キリギリス

Aoi Kemushi, アオイケムシ 青い毛虫 Sprinkeled with pollen from the Hybiscus 

Asian Trampsnail, (Kohaku onaji maimai) コハクオナジマイマイ

Mallotus Japonicus, (Akamegashiwa) アカメガシワ

Asian Giant Mantis, (Harabiro Kamakiri) ハラビロカマキリWith it's signature tail up. 

One of 3 surprise raptors: Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ. The others were an Osprey, ミサゴ and the voice of a Grey-faced Buzzard, サシバ

Left a Dark Small-branded Swift, チャバネセセリ　Chabaneseseri on Brazilian Verbena, (Arechi Hanagasa) アレチハナガサ. Right Aomeabu, アオメアブ

Japanese Oakblue, (Murasaki Shijimi) ムラサキシジミ

A bottle with bait was attached to a bleeding tree. Lots of insects were trapped in there, mostly Scarab Beetles, stuck to the sticky drab in the bottom We rescued a Miyama Kimakiri Longhorn beetle, ミヤマキマキリwho could not get out.

Scarab Beetle or Drone Beetle, (Kanabun) カナブン

Sucking the sap of the tree.

アオカナブン Aokanabun

Moth

Five-ring Butterfly, (Himeuranami Janome) ヒメウラナミジャノメ

Globe Skimmer, (Usuba Kitombo) ウスバキトンボ In it's typical vertical rest position.

These dragonflies are known to fly 18000km during migration!

Himenagame Kamemushi, ヒメナガメカメムシ

Japanese Honey Bees, (Nihonmitsubahi) ニホンミツバチ So small!

On Purple Loosestrife, (Misohagi) ミソハギ

Asian Comma, (Kitateha) キタテハ

Lots of Rock Pigeons, カワラバトaround. I counted over 50 on the way out. 

The Bottle Gourds, (hyoutan) ヒョウタンare growing steadily, Their hair as well.

An uexpected visitor :-)