Oriental Dollarbird, ブッポウソウ

On June 24th we finally went to see the Dollar birds in Oita. I was worried that I had not understood the directions well, but it turned out ok. It was not too hard to find and even the camping car was no problem. Somehow, we never visited that area. It seems nice, I'd like to go back.

There were 2 birds, obviously a pair. One of them, the male I guess flew around regularly, the female was on the nest it seemed, but briefly made an appearance as well. It was after 4pm, but we had enough light. Lucky

Kentish Plovers, シロチドリ

 I drove to the east to look at the Little Terns, but I found none there. The big sandhill was gone, there would not be a safe place for them anymore...

I stopped to look at 2 Kentish Plovers, シロチドリ. Wouldn't they have a nest somewhere?

On the way back I saw a Grey-headed Lapwing, ケリ in a rice field

Kanatake walk June 21st

 It was the middle of the rainy season and the grass had not been cut for a while. There was a lot of wildlife hiding in there.

Everybody looked at this stunningly beautiful fresh butterfly without recognizing it. 

Until it opened its wings

Indian Red Admiral, アカタテハ

detail

Other bufs included Japanese dart, キマダラセセリ

Pale Grass Blue, ヤマトシジミ

Long-tailed Swallowtail, ナガサキアゲハ

Funny name for a buf without tails. But in Taiwan the same to have them

Rescued from drowning, Kuchiba Hawk Moth, クチバスズメ

Nokogiri Longhorn, ノコギリカミキリ

Waving at us, as if he's saying: I don't want to end up in the frypan!

Red Swamp Crawfish, アメリカザリガニ

As expected on a rainy day there were many snails, big and small. The snail man was busy!

Tsukushi Maimai, ツクシマイマイ（I hope I got that right）

Kobeso Maimai,コベソマイマイ

The tiniest Praying Mantis I could find. Just 2.5cm カマキリ

A first in Kanatake? Beni itotombo ベニイトトンボ 

Some very big spiders in their web: Argiope spider, コガネグモ

Small, but fierce サツマノミダマシ Satsumanomi damashi

The last one standing: Kokulan, コクラン

After the regular walk several birds were heard calling.

2 days later I found 2 of these: Ruddy-breasted Crake, ヒクイナ

Just out of the nest: Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Clasping Venus's Looking Glass, キキョウソウ

Yabumyoga, ヤブミョウガ

Cabbage White, モンシロチョウ

Remodeling

Nanayama swamp

 My yearly summer visit to the wetlands in Nanayama turned out a bit short, but the expected flowers and dragonflies were there. The only surprise was the big dragonfly below. When I came home, I realized which one it was

Female Kurosuji Ginyanma dragonfly, クロスジギンヤンマ depositing her eggs at the edge of the lake

Kakiran, カキラン

Nejiki (ネジキ)

White-legged Damselfly Monosashitombo, モノサシトンボ  

The smallest dragonfly in Japan, only 2-3cm: male Haccho tombo, Scarlet Dwarf ♂,  ハッチョウトンボ

female Haccho tombo, Scarlet Dwarf ♀,  ハッチョウトンボ

Japanese Pogonia Tokisou,トキソウ   and    Kobanotomboso, コバノトンボソウ

both Japanese orchids

Round-leaved Sundew, モウセンゴケ

Himemikuri, ヒメミクリ 

Japanese Water Iris, ノハナショウブ

Tsuchi Akebi, ツチアケビ