Kashibaru Wetlands

Mid-June, the Dragonflies should be active. 

First one: Scarlet Dwarf, ハッチョウトンボ - male

Narrow-striped Bluet, セスジイトトンボ

Below in a mating wheel position. The male is blue, the female pale green

High brown Fritillary, ウラギンヒョウモン

Oriental Swallowtail Moth, アゲハモドキ

ツバメシジミ, Short-tailed Blue

Watershield, ジュンサイ

Arima umano suzukusa, アリマウマノスズクサ

Kakiran, カキラン Pretty as usual

Asian Pogonia,トキソウ Standing out proud by itself

Round-leaved Sundew, モウセンゴケ

This year I could not take any good pictures of it. Too much other stuff

Pygmy water-lily (ヒツジグサ)

Japanese Tree frog, 日本アマガエル

Just when I thought I didn't need to see another Tree Frog, my eye fell on this one: シュレーゲルアオガエル, Schlegel's Green Tree Frog. Look at the way his limbs fold into his body. He resembles a foetus

Then I saw another one, and another, and another... 5 or 6

Watching a firefly

At last some birds. Grey Heron's nest, アオサギ

Grey Wagtail, キセキレイ, adorning a roof ornament

Hikosan 1

My yearly visit to the mountain turned out a little different from what I expected. The Jays were not feeding on the cherries, as I had hoped, and neither were the Green Pigeons. I checked a few of my favorite locations, found very few butterflies and decided to go home early. At the usual place people had been waiting for the Ruddy Kingfisher all morning, apparently without success. Then when I drove by one of the last people still there told me: It's out, sitting there! By the time I had parked the car it was gone. Maybe it came back, but I don't have that much patience...

Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ

Eurasian Jay, カケス

Grey Wagtail, キセキレイ

Finally, at the bottom, a Fritillary

Palearctic Fritillary, クモガタヒョウモン

Short-tailed Blue, ツバメシジミ

Chinese Bushbrown, ヒメジャノメ

European Beak or Nettle-tree butterfly, テングチョウ

This flower appears to be a member of the Scutellaria genus, commonly known as Skullcaps

The color is so vivid blue, I love it!

Around the mountains

During the last week of February, I walked around the mountainous areas south of the city. There was very little to see, and whatever flew by disappeared immediately. A few birds caught my attention, but taking photos was quite a challenge. 

 Grey Wagtail, キセキレイ

Brown Dipper, カワガラス

Rustic Bunting, カシラダカ

Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ

Long-tailed Tits, エナガ

Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

There was a loud noise in the bush. Tracing it I stumbled on a small pool. All of a sudden, the place was silent. Here and there pairs of eyes floated on the surface.

Japanese Brown Frog, ニホンアカガエル

 Once I withdrew the noise started again. I carefully slid back, hiding behind a tree. Many frogs, maybe 100 or more jumped up, yelling like a bunch of hungry kittens! There seemed to be more frogs than water. A large blob of spawn floated on the edge of the pond. 

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, ツメナガセキレイ

 Suddenly a lot of yellow-colored wagtails landed in the fields. Maybe 30 or more. Below some images

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, マミジロツメナガセキレイ  Motacilla flava tschutschensis 'simillima'

 Citrine Wagtail, キガシラセキレイ - Motacilla citreola

Motacilla flava taivana,  キマユツメナガセキレイ

Motacilla flava macronyx　キタツメナガセキレイ?

The resident Grey Wagtail, キサキレイ was there as well.

It was all a bit confusing sometimes. I hope I got this right.