Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ

In the city park

The Cherry blossom is late, the flycatcher came early. The bright blue bird would make such a pretty picture in the white blossom. After failing my Sakura White-eye session I wanted to give this a try.

The bird was pretty, the blossom too, but to get them both....

 first lunch

a big fat juicy bee

then a bath in a muddy rain puddle that could not possibly clean anyone up

still it didn't diminish the colors 

followed by drying and preening

  

Back to the safety of the dark woods

Imazu etc

Cruising the fields and hills west of the city, looking for spring, early migrators, anything really

This is what came up:

Japanese Wagtail, セグロセキレイ

Grey Wagtail, キセキレイ

Dusky Thrush, ツグミ

Hoping to get a shot of the Woodcocks, (I didn't succeed) I opted for this Thrush with the first violets of the season.

Water Pipit, タヒバリ

 Red-throated Pipit, ムネアカタヒバリ

Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ  Landing right in front of the car, too close! 

Glad to see some green and the blurry colors of 大根花, the flower of Japanese Radish. Hiding in there was Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

A strange looking head above the げんげ flowers 

Beige colored Spot-billed Duck, カルガモ バフ変 maybe a kind of leucism? 

And then some pairs

Mr and Ms Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

The male looking handsome as ever, even with his feathers all ruffled

And the lady looking sweet, belying the true nature of the bird. 

Mr and Ms Kingfisher, カワセミ

Ever so photogenic. The female

Cuddling up, Mr and Ms Oriental Turtle Dove, キジバト

Checking his nesting materials, Black Kite, トビ

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

   

  

male Copper Pheasant, アカヤマドリ

After many years of fleeting glimpses finally a chance to observe and have a proper photo session

Roaming in the dark, looking for food and keeping an eye out.

The tail so very long, hardly fits in the frame

It was still early morning, before 7:30 and kind of dark and the big bird came out of the undergrowth a few times. As soon as his feathers caught some light they started glowing with a red coppery shine.

Absolutely stunning!

  

Is he calling a mate with the sound of his flapping wings?

preening

When the morning sun came through he withdrew in his dark alcove and perched on a branch, mostly hidden from view. I hope he will find a girl one day.

Common Stonechat, ノビタキ

Finally arrived.
Saw 2 males today, one in Imazu and another in Taromaru
Happy!