2016
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A Baza in the Sun
Pacific Baza Michael Hare’s place, Queensland, Australia December 30, 2016 On Friday morning I met Don and Heath for the first time when they kindly picked me up and took me to meet Mick at Michael Hare’s place. It was a warm and sunny morning. Actually I was shocked by how hot it was by… Continue reading
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A Saturday Morning
Spangled Drongo Michael Hare’s place, Queensland, Australia December 11, 2016 Had a great outing with Mick and Rod to Michael Hare’s place again. It was a duller day and cooler than the visit on the previous Friday, but I think that’s good for smaller birds. Fewer dragonflies but there were plenty of honeyeaters, treecreepers and… Continue reading
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Second Day of Summer
Sacred Kingfisher Michael’s place, Queensland, Australia December 2, 2016 Mick, Rod and I visited Michael Hare’s place early on the second day of summer. After that we went for bit of a drive and I managed some new species for this blog. Sadly, I can only input 200 characters and can’t include all the subjects… Continue reading
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Miners in a Jacaranda
Noisy Miner Queensland, Australia What could be more beautiful than a Noisy Miner in a Jacaranda? Continue reading
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Autumn Swans
Whooper Swan Hyoko, Niigata, Japan November 13, 2016 Here are some swans from Hyoko last Sunday. It was a beautiful autumn day but just in a week the colours have changed to winter. Whooper Swans Tundra Swans Whooper Swan Continue reading
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It came from the sky
Oriental Stork Niigata, Japan November 6, 2016 Mr Honma and I were being a bit greedy and went to look for the Oriental Stork again today. The first hour was fruitless with scans of the rice-fields with binoculars finding nothing. Suddenly we met a lady along a path and she pointed and said, “Konotori! Is… Continue reading
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Oriental Stork
Oriental Stork “Konotori” Niigata, Japan October 30, 2016 The Oriental Stork became extinct in Japan in the 1970s and a captive breeding program was commenced with a pair brought in from China. Globally, the Oriental Stork can be found in China and Siberia with an estimated population of just one to two and a half… Continue reading
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White Bellies
White-bellied Sea-eagles Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia August 9, 2016 When you don’t expect it, expect it. We were walking around feeding kangaroos at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary when I heard lots of bird alarms and the birds started scattering. I looked up and saw the above pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles as they charged… Continue reading
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Kawasemi
Kawa-semi Common Kingfisher Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan October 16, 2016 Here’s a bunch of shots of a Common Kingfisher at Fukushimagata this morning. Mr Honma was delighted when he spotted it and it was kind enough to stay for quite a while before diving down for a fish and finally disappearing. Continue reading
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Niigata Moon
Moon Niigata City, Niigata, Japan October 14, 2016 I always like the October moon in Niigata. Tonight when I was taking this picture, I heard my first swan for the season call out as it passed over head. Continue reading
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Whiskered Terns in Niigata
Whiskered Tern Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan October 1 and 2, 2016 I believe Whiskered Terns are very rare visitors to Japan. This was my first record for them in Japan. I have seen them in Australia but they were too far away for decent pics. Strange for them to come as far north as Niigata. It… Continue reading
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Out of the Fog
Japanese Sparrowhawk Mount Yamamoto, Ojiya, Niigata, Japan September 24 & 25, 2016 I have a sore neck and tired arms. I had been looking forward to the raptor migration all summer long. I had also been browsing bigger and longer lenses to get me a bit closer to the action. I dreamed about big 500… Continue reading
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Summer Shadows
Summer scenery at Toyanogata, Niigata, Japan August 28, 2016 At least I tried to do a spot of birding and I was even hoping for dragonflies, but I just ended up getting into the summer shadows at Toyanogata to finish August off. I saw a lot of dragonflies on Wednesday but they quickly disappeared. Hopefully,… Continue reading
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Gulls of August
Black-tailed Gull Shinano River, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan August 2016 We seem to get different waves of gulls at different times of the year in Niigata. April is a good time for Black-headed Gulls but at most other times I think it is mostly Black-tailed Gulls and Common Gulls. What I can figure out from… Continue reading