Isahaya in February part 4

 The Long-eared Owl, トラフズク. Hiding in a tree with dense foliage, it could never be seen completely. Just when the wind picked up its face appeared and at a lucky moment it would even have its eyes open.😆　I don't know how many there were, I just saw one 

Another favorite Owl among bird photographers is the Short-eared Owl, コミミズク. It appeared briefly and only once. I was delighted to get the chance to capture it, however far away. But I felt a bit sad that others missed out..

The reeds hold various animals. I heard foxes were seen here, who hunt these owls. Is that why there were so few sightings?

Again reeds, but this time small birds. Common Reed Bunting, オオジュリン

This one with a dark markings - summer is on the way.

I think I saw Pallas's Reed Bunting as well, but could not get it in my finder.

Long-eared Owl, トラフズク

I nearly knocked you out of your tree, when I found you. Miraculously you didn't fly away!!!

It was great meeting you! 💖

Corrected: Short-eared owl, コミミズク, no: Long-eared Owl, トラフズク!

I was driving in the dark when a dark shadow hovered over me and landed on the road...

It was perched on a road sign first and jumped to the road in front of me. In the light of my cars headlights, I could only just focus on it. I thought it was a Short-eared Owl, コミミズク, but was corrected. This is apparantly a Long-eared Owl, トラフズク!

At home I eliminated the noise and this is the result.

Not bad, hey!

Now I can see the fine barred markings on wing-tips and tail. Thank you, Mr. H.

Another creature on the dark road: Raccoon Dog, タヌキ

There were at least 10 of them as far as I could see.

Long-eared Owls, トラフズク

There were 4 Owls in the trees. They blend in so well, despite their size it was hard to detect them all.

Long-eared Owl, トラフズク

They come to our part of the country in autumn, but we don't get to see them every year.
This time I was lucky!

November birds 1

It is November, we might get to see something special. So I cruised the fields and got a call...
Yes! Very special indeed.

Not the Lapwings, they come every year. But their colors are so pretty when the weather is good, could not resist a few shots. Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

Not the Starlings, although they are not seen every day.

Common Starling, ホシムクドリ

Neither the Pipits, but this ball of fluf wanted to be in here.

Water Pipit, タヒバリ

And certainly not the Kestrel, but previous postings didn't include an adult male. So:

male Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

But... Here is a Long-eared Owl, トラフズク

Perched in a tree as if it belonged there. The next day it was gone.