Oro Island, 小呂島

 The ferry gets cancelled so often, it is almost impossible to make a plan. I went twice this month. My second time was cut short by 2 days. On May 8 the weather was very pleasant. some shearwaters crossed our path and stayed around the boat for a while. 

Streaked Shearwater, オオミズナギドリ

On the island I had no time to spare. when this bird appeared on the side of the road I quickly took aim, not realizing what it was until I got to the pc

Black-faced Bunting, シベリアアオジ

May 20th was calm. The Shearwaters flew by again, but didn't stay. I strained my eyes looking for smaller birds

YES! About 80m away. Too far! But somehow I can see they are Japanese Murrelet, カンムリウミスズメ

Oro cats, well looked after. One of them came to sit with me on the porch after dinner.

On the way to school: No birds this time. Japanese Grass Lizard, ニホンカナヘビ

Metalmark Moth, ハマキモドキガ科 · 

The next day I was told to hurry back. The weather deteriorated and I would not have another chance until 4 days later. Oops! I ran to the harbor and was hit by a wall of fog. No ferry!

Fortunately the fog cleared when the rain started. We left for Meinohama mid-morning.

Streaked Shearwater, オオミズナギドリ again - in bad weather

Another trip at sea 1, Japanese Murrelet, カンムリウミスズメ

A few days later we went out again. The sky was overcast, but there was very little wind. At times the seas were flat, the best conditions for finding sea birds like murrelets. We sighted 8 birds again, in more or less the same area. Because of the dim light photographs turned out quite different. They showed more detail in some places and when a bit of sunlight broke through it seemed we were looking at a different kind of bird.

A moment of sunlight. What a difference it makes.

Birding at sea 1, Japanese Murrelet, カンムリウミスズメ

With a group of birders we  took off on Fu Kyo, the catamaran of Fukuoka Sunset Sailing (click for info) in search of Japanese Murrelets. We left the harbor at 6:00am in near perfect conditions and headed for a small island called Eboshijima. It took a while but here we are:

Japanese Murrelet, カンムリウミスズメ

 冠 = kanmuri = crown, cap

Whats up there?

Swimming with a butterfly stroke

gone.