Sakura

Bulbuls taking over in the Sakura

Actually, I hoped to see White-eyes. Little cute green birds with a prominent eyering that makes them stand out between the blossoms of the cherry trees. I waited for 2 hours and  I constantly heard them in other trees, but none showed up... NOT ONE! So I had to make do with these, the Brown-eared Bulbuls, ヒヨドリ

   

  

White-bellied Green Pigeon, アオバト

So pretty when the light is right and the surroundings clear. First a female landed gracefully, sliding out of the dark clusters of branches above onto the small clearing. Fallen Camellia (ツバキ) flowers and acorns littered the place.

 She didn't eat much and left after a few minutes. Next a very hungry male plopped down.

 

Showing off and eating acorns one after the other.

More than 10 went down his throat some where. Could he still fly?

Other birds payed a visit: Pale Thrush, シロハラ

went sensibly for the more digestible flowers.

same as a Brown-eared Bulbul, ヒヨドッリ

Feral Pigeon,ドバト shining in the spring light

Even the Carrion Crow, ハシボソガラス looked good

Black-faced Bunting, アオジ female

Many people walked by in the park, admiring Japanese Sakura

Eating from their pick nick bento's, feeding the gulls... Whatever non-birding people do in a park on a sunny day in March 

Black-headed Gull, ユリカモメ - molting  羽毛のぬけ

桜 Sakura

Sakura is a big thing in Japan.

The progress of the young flower buds that are about to open in the end of March is tightly monitored and updated frequently in news sites all over the country. People plan their cherry blossom viewing parties and when the time is right, all the trees have an audience of hanami party-goers beneath them, sitting on sheets with baskets of food, like special sakura bento’s and drinks. Their talking, singing and laughing continue for the biggest part of the day and night.

This year the sakura started early in Fukuoka and also lasted a long time. Lots of chances to get great shots. My party today was with Lalala, the day service center of the Kakohs, where I sometimes go to entertain the oldies with my English songs and  games. But this morning it rained and it doesn’t look good at all for today, so I gave it a miss and decided to use the time for long overdue tasks, such as a proper story with my normally hastely updated blog posts.

This is for all you people in Holland and the rest of Europe, in New Zealand and the USA, where most of my readers seem to be coming from and of course for my Japanese friends, at least those who read English.

   

 Sorry, have to put a bird in there…シジュウカラ,  Japanese Great Tit

One of the most popular locations is down town in Maizuru koen around the ruins of Fukuoka castle.  

The sign announcing the event reflects the pink blossom against the dark blue sky in a nice way. I quite like it.

A tree full of blossom, picnic gear and a bunch of friends; ingredients for a hanami party

You guys in the Netherlands are all complaining about that white stuff coming from above.

Our Easter has been white as well, with cherry blossom snowing all day long. 

(This year it really looked like snow!)

今日の勉強 　桜 Sakura,  Cherry blossom