Brown Hawk Owl, アオバズク babies

From all the locations in West Fukuoka, I chose this one for the blog. The baby had just left the nest with one sibbling. The other chick was hidden in the back somewhere, but this one stayed in sight during the late afternoon. Boy? Girl?

One of the parents, keeping an eye on us

West Fukuoka, 1st week of July

The days are hot; it's not sensible to walk under the scorching sun. A bit of wind feels comfortable, but the sun burns even more. I often think: What am I doing here? Taking refuge in the cool safety of the car is not an option. When will I get air conditioning????

A young Falcon crossed our path, to the uttermost delight of novice birders.

Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ

A flock of Plovers, with youngsters screaming to keep up.

Little Ringed Plovers, コチドリ

Eastern Spot-billed Ducklings, カルガモ -  barely visible in the rice field

Zitting Cisticola, セッカ - perched on its favorite spot.

On to the shrines in the west: Brown Hawk Owl (Boobook), アオバズク

You are a little too close to the road, papa.

Safely high up in the tree

The ugly stumps of recently cut bamboo have become convenient drinking cups for the Pigeons

Oriental Turtle Dove, キジバト

 Yabumyoga, ヤブミョウガ  Pollia japonica

Fejervarya Rice Field Frog, ヌマガエル

Transverse Moth, フタトガリアオイガ   Xanthodes transversa

Japanese Giant Gecko, ニホンヤモリ

June birds around home.

The rain started early. That's how it felt to me. On the days that are not too wet, I go out - for a short time usually. I don't always get what I hope for. But that keeps me hoping.

Picking at the flies on a Lotus leaf, Ruddy-breasted Crake, ヒクイナ

There were 2 birds. They probably have a nest here somewhere.

The nesting Oriental Magpies, カササギ at the same place are very busy now. Fledglings following the parents, constantly begging for food.

Just a few km west a Brown Hawk Owl or Boobook, アオバズク is waiting at its yearly post. I'm waiting, too.

First week of June, suddenly, the harbor was full of young gulls. I think they are all Vega Gulls, first summer. セグロカモメ

Some Barn swallows, ツバメ are later than others. This one is still building. Or is it rebuilding?

A Japanese Wagtail, セグロハクセキレイ sitting quietly at the edge of a field. Why?

Some days later I saw it again. Maybe the same bird. Then there was a young one nearby.

So, that was why...

At last, the Cattle Egret, アマサギ. 12 birds were feeding in a small field in a residential area near M. River. I had never seen them there before. It seemed they didn't belong there. The next day they were gone.

Boobook, or Brown Hawk Owl, アオバズク chicks have left the nest!

On July 7th 2 Chicks had left the nest. They were perched up high with parents nearby. Hooray!

The Samurai orchids are doing very well this year. Are there more flowers than last year? Or is it that I spent more time searching?

The next day I didn't see any birds in the Usual Kusu (Camphor) tree. I was told many visitors had come the previous day. Did they get scared? I looked carefully. Young birds cannot fly that far yet. It took a while in the darkish morning to locate them

2 Chicks and a parent. The other parent (way below) was not visible from where I stood.

Mother?

I was wondering if a 3rd chick was on the way...