The Bohemian Waxwing

March 10, 2013

The Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing

Niigata, Japan

February 28, 2013, 5:38pm.

ISO 27807 f5.6 1/250 +1, fill-flash handheld

Nikon D800 Nikkor 80-400mm VR

I’ve yearned to see waxwings for years. I recall seeing their pictures when I was young in Australia and considered them as exotic species of the northern hemisphere. I’ve known they are in Japan and every year I have seen their beautiful portraits posted on blogs around the world. I saw one in March 2009 when I was walking along a busy street. It was sitting on a Mercedes-Benz waiting its turn in a feeding frenzy among sparrows at a bird feeder alongside someone’s home. I didn’t see it again.

On the evening of February 28, this year, I was walking my dog after work and looked up and my eye caught this guy sitting in a small cherry tree in the middle of a busy road on one side and a pedestrian path on the other. It was a small environment and I had imagined to see such things I’d have to be in a beautiful garden. Far from it.

I remained composed and allowed my dog to continue her venture. We sniffed at everything; around posts and taps, newly planted tulip beds and just plain grass. I thought the bird would be long gone when I returned half an hour later with my camera. (The dog satisfied but wondering why I fled after dropping her inside the door).

The above picture was taken after 5:30pm and the sun was long gone. I pumped up the ISO beyond anything I’d used before. All the pictures had strong back lighting. I used the camera’s built-in fill-flash for the top pic which brought out the eye more and illuminated the colourful waxy parts.

It stayed for a few days but I didn’t manage better pics. The last time I saw them was Monday, March 4. I went out with the camera before the dog but there was no sign. Of course, when I returned with the dog and no camera, I saw him again in the same tree. He called out and two more came. They were interested in vines beneath the trees with orange berries. I haven’t seen them again. None yesterday and rain today.

Disappointed with the background roof in the top shot and have processed all with Topaz De-Noise.

March 2, 2013 3:14pm ISO 1800 in the same tree.

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Bohemian Waxwing

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Russell Jenkins

I am a photographer into birds, nature as well as art and culture. From Australia, currently based in Japan.

7 responses to “The Bohemian Waxwing”

Stuart Price

March 10, 2013 at 7:40 am

Nice find Russell.Nikon DSLRs seem to do a much better job with noise at high ISO than Canon…………..I almost never go over ISO 800.

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Phil

March 10, 2013 at 4:24 pm

I can tell how excited you are about those pictures Russell – congrats on your first. The Waxwing looks really puffed up against the cold too.

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John Kooistra

March 11, 2013 at 12:59 am

Marvelous shots of one funky looking bird! Thanks for sharing.

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Choy Wai Mun

March 12, 2013 at 5:36 am

The Waxwing certainly is adorable. Good effort, Russell.

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Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok

March 15, 2013 at 3:21 pm

Love bird that I've yet to find!

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Noushka

March 17, 2013 at 1:14 pm

Well I can understand perfectly how you longed to get those pictures!It still is one of my dreams!Even if there is roof behind the bird, these are still great pics!Cheers Russell!

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Richard Waring

March 27, 2013 at 8:01 am

Great find and great shots Russell. Why aren't you just taking the camera with the dog :-)?

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About Me

I’m an Australian interested in nature, photography, culture, and art based in Japan.

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