Thanks to a call from a friend, I was able to see this migrator in the usual park. The bird might be a common sight in many places in Asia, but not in Fukuoka. It was past 4pm when it appeared and light conditions were minimal. But I managed.
Somehow it is much more rewarding to go and look for the flycatchers in the woods where they breed.
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ
I went back to get better results. There was a time that I mainly took photo's of birds for their beauty. My 300mm 2.8f worked very well. But things have changed. I cannot use a tripod so often anymore and the big lens is too heavy for hand-held shooting. My working lens now is smaller and lighter. I am more flexible with this and results are fair. This day I went back to the field and used my big lens. What a difference!
Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ
On May 15th I got a message saying there were 10 Black-winged Stilts in Imazu. It was mid-afternoon when I got there and I counted 10 indeed. The light conditions were not very good. I could not get any detail in the eyes. Yet, it was a lovely refreshing scene.
セイタカシギ
These 2 birds in their summer outfit came close to the quay to find food. Watch those faces! Their Japanese name means monkey dunlin, referring to the monkey type markings. I don't see much of a monkey face in there myself, but they look funny.
Curlew sandpiper, サルハマシギ
