Blue-and-White Flycatcher, オオルリ in the west

It's dark in the forest. And humid. But that's where we meet. Every year. Please don't ever give up!

Blue-and-White Flycatcher, オオルリ

Red-billed Leiothrix, ソウシチョウ

The frogs are back again! 

ニホンアマガエル, Japanese Tree Frog

How I missed you last year.

But that also means we'll see more snakes again...

On a lighter note: the butterflies

Common Bluebottle, アオスジアゲハ

Daimio Skipper, ダイミョウセセリ

Common Mapwing, イシカケチョウ

Black-female Fritillary, メスグロヒョウモン？

Little bits from the west

During the walk, while gazing over the fields, skimming the trees, looking for anything that flies, a female Pheasant suddenly came running right beside us and continued to stride towards the woods in a cool and calculated manner.

Female Japanese Green Pheasant, キジ

A Hawfinch, シメ perched on top of the highest trees - again

The flowerbuds were all there, but didn't open up until the next day.

アマナ Amana edulis

There is a Shrike that loves to perch on the Scarecrow

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

...and loves his girl

Butterflies appeared later in the day, warmed by the sun. 

Holly Blue, ルリシジミ

Peacock Pansy, タテハモドキ

Old World Swallowtail, キアゲ ハ

Asian Swallowtail, ナミアゲハ

At last, the first Tree frog of the season.　Japanese Tree Frog, ニホンアマガエル

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. 

Small suff around Fukuoka

A collection from a few parks on the outskirts of the city, where the forests start.

Lesser Emperor, ギンヤンマ pair

Four-tipped Darter, マユタテアカネ

Crimson Marsh Glider, ベニトンボ

ベニイトトンボ

Greater Blue Skimmer, オオシオカラトンボ

American Bullfrog, ウシガエル

Goschkevitschi's Labyrinth, サトキマダラヒカゲ

Diana Treebrown, クロヒカゲ

Chinese Bushbrown, ヒメジャノメ

Small Copper, ベニシジミ

Dark Evening Brown, クロコノマチョウ

Japanese Siren Butterfly, ゴマダラチョウ

Peacock Pansy, タテハモドキ

Emelina Grass Blue, シルビアシジミ 

Emelina Grass Blue, シルビアシジミ or Pale Grass Blue, ヤマトシジミ?

Short-tailed Blue, ツバメシジミ

Plains Cupid, クロマダラソテツシジミ

Gutta Bug, オオホシカメムシ 

Nokogiri Kuwagata Stag Beetle, ノコギリクワガタ

??