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June 12, 2012

Jigokudani Yaen-Koen in the Wet Season (Part 1)

Japanese Macaque Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, Nagano, Japan June 10, 2012 As if it wasn’t wet enough for our for visit back in March, we headed back to Jigokudani Yaen-Koen for the official start of the rainy season, (this past weekend). Actually it was raining steadily but fairly gently compared to our first visit and the light Continue reading

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Japanese Macaque, Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, Snow Monkey
June 4, 2012

Why do Black-eared Kites have miserable tails in the summer?

Black-eared Kite Ojiya, Niigata, Japan June 2, 2012 Because the crows are nesting, of course! Continue reading

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Black-eared Kite, Crow, Jungle Crow, Large-billed Crow
May 26, 2012

Lorikeet

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Toowoomba front yard, Queensland, Australia August, 2011 What would an Australian living overseas possibly miss? Marsupials and Eucalypts? A lingering sun over reflective plains? Meat pies and chocolate milks? Well to narrow it down, I’m a birder. If anyone has seen this blog they’d probably see that I’m a raptor nut, but even Continue reading

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Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
May 22, 2012

Sado

Crested Ibis Sado Island, Niigata, Japan May 5, 2012 Nikon V1 + 30-110mm lens Back on May 5th, it was still Golden Week, and we elected to do a flying bus tour of Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture. We started early and got a jetfoil to the island where we met up with our tour. They Continue reading

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Crested Ibis, Japanese Crested Ibis, Sado, Toki
May 14, 2012

Tortoises on the Rocks (UPDATED)

Brown-eared Bulbul Junsai-ike, Niigata, Japan May 13, 2012 Nikon 1 V1 + FT1+ Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm VR UPDATE: Thank you to IsuzuGeek and Mick Atzeni for confirming that these ‘turtles’ are Red-eared Sliders. I was happily greeted to the new day (May 16th) with a comment from IsuzuGeek (check below) and an email from Mick Continue reading

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Azure-winged Magpie, Brown-eared Bulbul, Junsai-ike, Mississippi-Aka-Mimi-Game, Moorhen, Red-eared Slider, Tortoise
May 6, 2012

Wedding of the Foxes

Huge Fox Lanterns made by an Elementary school in the district Kitsune-no-yomeiri Tsugawa, Niigata, Japan May 3, 2012 On the evening of May 3 (a Golden Week Holiday) we went to Tsugawa, Niigata to see a festival called, Kitsune-no-yomeiri. (“Kitsune“= fox; “no” = of ; “yomeiri” = “bridal ceremony”…kind of, we think) As has been Continue reading

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Festival, Fox, Kitsune-no-yomeiri, Tsugawa, Wedding
May 1, 2012

Crow flying

Carrion Crow Shinano River, Niigata, JapanJanuary 2008 Nikon D300 with AF-S 70-300mm f5.6 VR Some experimental shots of Carrion Crows dropping some kind of nut (looks like a walnut) onto hard surfaces. These photos were my first first bird photos taken with my Nikon D300 and lens just over 4 years ago. I actually went Continue reading

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Carrion Crow, Crow flying
April 25, 2012

A place for a walk

Sakura at Toyanogata, Niigata on Saturday, April 21, 2012 Nikon V1 with 10mm f2.8 lens Haven’t done much birding recently. The main bit of birding excitement for me was my first ever Hoopoe sighted at this park two weeks ago. We were told of its presence by another birder and were lucky to find it Continue reading

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Cherry Blossoms, Sakura, Toyanogata
April 19, 2012

Bush Stone-curlew and a Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Bush Stone-curlew Toowoomba Aerodrome, Queensland September 8, 2008 Just digging through some files and found these shots which again, were birds found and shown to me by Mick Atzeni. (As with my previous post) Thanks Mick! Way back in 2008. I wonder where they are now? Fan-tailed Cuckoo Gowrie Junction, Queensland Continue reading

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Bush Stone-curlew, Fan-tailed Cuckoo
April 12, 2012

Buff-banded Rail

Buff-banded Rail Lake Annand, Toowoomba, Queensland August, 2011 Thanks to Mick Atzeni for taking me to see this guy in Toowoomba last year. It was much friendlier than one I spent some time trying to get close to in Cairns back in 2007. Buff-banded Rail at Cairns in 2007 Continue reading

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Buff-banded Rail
April 1, 2012

Faces in the Rain

Japanese Macaque Also known as a Snow Monkey Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, Nagano Prefecture, Japan March 31, 2012 These photos were taken yesterday in Nagano Prefecture at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen. It is the famous place for wild Snow Monkeys bathing in a hot spring. I recommend you click on the Official Jigokudani Website for more information. After years of thinking Continue reading

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Japanese Macaque, Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, Monkey in a hot spring, Snow Monkey
March 27, 2012

The going of the trees

Niigata City is based on the Shinano River. The Shinano is the longest river in Japan. It has all the features of rivers of moderns cities. Shipping ports at the mouth, walkways/bike paths and gardens with cherry trees and beds of tulips, public toilets and bridges. Sadly, I noticed a big gap along the river Continue reading

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Niigata City, Shinano River
March 20, 2012

Waders of Toorbul

Waders at Toorbul, South-east Queensland, Australia. September 2008 Pentax K200 with Pentax smc ED 400mm f5.6 Some members of the Toowoomba Bird Observers will be meeting up with the South Queensland Waders Group this Sunday, March 25th at Toorbul, South-east Queensland. If I was around, I’d be there! The photos here are from an outing Continue reading

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Pied Oystercatcher, Toorbul, Waders
March 13, 2012

Bogey Birds Go Digital

Unknown Subject xxx Lookout, South-east Queensland, Australia. August 1994 It’s already a year ago, when for some reason, I was waiting at a train station with a colleague and trying to make chit chat. I don’t know why, but I revealed that I was a bird watcher. My colleague seemed somewhat entertained by the idea Continue reading

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Shiretoko, Steller’s Sea-eagle
March 6, 2012

White-tailed Sea-eagles in Niigata City

White-tailed Sea-eagles (male with the fish) Toyanogata, Niigata, Japan All photographs February to March 4, 2012 Range: 200 metres. Cropped image: Nikon 1 V1, FT1 + Nikkor AF-S 300mm f4 and Nikon 1.4xTC II on flimsy tripod. Equal to 1134mm I’ve been learning more about White-tailed Sea-eagles visiting Niigata in the Winter months. They’re not Continue reading

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Big Swan Stadium, Niigata, Toyanogata, White-tailed Sea-eagle

About Me

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

Recent Posts

Runaway Trains
by Russell Jenkins
October 21, 2025
Rainbow Bee-eater diving into a dam on the Darling Downs, Queensland, September 2025.

Runaway Trains

Not long ago, I finished only my second real holiday since before the pandemic. It was my second visit to Australia since 2019. The days went by so fast. I barely started each day and my mind and body were overtaken by the atoms buzzing around me. I thought I had plans, but I had no chance to do everything with few days and the distractions all about me. All better than my plans. Each day was like riding in an old wooden buffet car of a runaway train.
- Brown Goshawk
- Australian Pelican
- Black Swan
I had barely stepped both feet out of the customs and security exits at Brisbane Airport and I was amazed to see the large soaring figure of an adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle in front of the passenger pick-up. Rob and Rod then grabbed me by the collar and we were whisked around giant warehouses where bouncing monster trucks were surrounded by Australian Pelicans, Black Swans, Mangrove Gerygones, Superb Fairy-wrens, Brown Goshawks, Brahminy Kites and other distant sea eagles. So much was going on before the minute-hand completed a single circuit. And as far as a buffet car goes, in Japan, we can enjoy many exotic delicacies like miso ramen, sashimi from the Sea of Japan, koshihikari rice, sasadangos, and even Murakami beef, but nothing is anything like one of Sid’s pies.

Tawny Frogmouth

Cutlery bounced and rattled on the saucer in front of me with all the windows wide down as the carriage slid and clattered and rattled on rusted, weathered rails. I stuck my head out into the sunshine and hooed and cooed with the wind blasting up my nostrils. It only seemed a moment before we faded into the dark quiet of a tunnel, and I awoke back, bouncing around in my booth with the roar of the wind, and persistent calls of Butcherbirds, Magpies, Currawongs, Lorikeets, and even a distant Kookaburra, announcing the start another journey on the new Bakelite speakers.

Rainbow Bee-eater with a wasp.

It was the middle of the week in September when we trekked to the doorstep of the west. Far away from working days in the city. Thank you to Martin and Karen for your generosity. Milly, Lincoln, Blackie, and the Bottle Trees, all greeted me kindly and I listened intently to the absence of motors and devices. The depth of the night sky is truly incredible from here. The sky is so bright, and the ground so dark; until your headlamp catches thousands of eyes of Wolf Spiders gazing back at you. Like a reflection of the night sky.

On the second night, as I went to unzip the entrance to my tent, a large Huntsman ran down along the path of the zipper and departed to the right. I entered the tent, organised my things, and as I lay down I realised I hadn’t closed the outer flaps. Not to worry. The night breeze was clean and fresh and I could watch satellites pass through the stars. Then it started to rain. A city boy in the bush, I unzipped the inner layer to reach out and zip up the outer. All done, I rested flat on my back and watched the return of the Huntsman. He was inside the outer layer but outside the inner layer. His shape was beautiful directly above my face and I fell deeply asleep.

Double-barred Finch late in the morning

I woke in the same position. Like I came out of the tunnel unmoved. It was just before six, and the spider had gone. I thought about how clear my mind felt and I had no pain in my back. Then I noticed the wisps and trills of Fairy-wrens just metres to the back of my tent. The train carriage was sharply bouncing about and I had no time to relax. It was the third and final chance to chase Purple-backed Fairy-wrens. They had been there from the start. They hopped and chatted right in front of me but were always obscured by sticks and stalks, and leaves. When I crept closer they would go to the back of the shrub they were in, then flutter to a farther bush. I followed them blindly and I treaded steadfully onward, but they out-paced me as they dispersed outback. I finally gave up the chase realising each time their voices had become more distant and spread out. It was unlikely I could catch up with them. I stood alone. Only in view of the Bottle Trees. The tea in my cup was stale and cold and the carriage was empty. I would head back to the camp. Then I noticed. Every time I headed back to the camp, the fairies would follow me. They’d get close behind just before I could get back to my seat. I thought they were tormenting me.

I don’t remember when it happened. The fairy-wrens were around the camp and I begrudgingly got off my seat to have another go at capturing their image. I felt somewhat cynical, and doubtful. It was still nice being beside the trees and the grasses, but I was less ambitious about my photography and stopped and browsed my camera menu. I totally removed my attention from the birds. Without any warning, five of them popped their faces out barely 2 metres away. As if they were wondering why I was no longer playing with them. In just a moment I grabbed some pictures to be happy with. Then I knew they weren’t tormenting me at all. Maybe they enjoyed the attention and were playing with me. It felt like a Dreamtime story. I’m sure it is. I miss them now. Not for their pictures, but for their companionship.
I would understand if Ludwig Leichhardt followed Fairy-wrens far, far through the lands and into the stars.

Rob and I attempted to photograph Rainbow Bee-eaters as they splashed into a dam for insects, and the sun slowly went down. It was amazing and frustrating, and we didn’t know if we were getting any useful photographs, yet we could have continued that for eternity too, if the day hadn’t ended.
(Images Below: Spiny-checked Honey-eater in flight, Brown Honey-eater drinking, and Black-striped Wallabies.)
Grey Kangaroos on the Darling Downs

I visited the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade for the first time in more than twenty years. They announced it was only the second time it had ever rained. Niigata City celebrated their dance festival during the same period, and it was reported to me when I returned, that it was sunny. It rained there my last few visits. One must not be superstitious.

South-eastern Queensland is vivid and beautiful in September. I was freezing at night during my first week, but the forecast was for 36 Celsius in Brisbane just days after I left. It is an old, wooden carriage that rattles and bounces, and bumps. But the light bounces like metal wheels in all directions and the breezes bring aromas of pollen, bat poo, oxygen and stories.

Lace Monitor on the Darling Downs
- Welcome Swallow
- Leaden Flycatcher
- Yellow-rumped Thornbill
- Orchid
Bearded Dragon in the Lockyer Valley

Superb Fairy-wren at Duggan Park

I gate-crashed one event of the inaugural Toowoomba Bird Fair. It is now part of the Carnival of Flowers, which is forever blooming brighter and wider. My friend Mick, picked me up this time as well as helping a birding tour of Duggan Park, where we found Superb Fairy-wrens, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Welcome Swallows, Galahs, Little Corellas, White Ibis, Wedge-tailed Eagles, et, al; and even a Dollarbird. Furthermore, I was reminded there are other people in the world who love birds and even photograph them. Mick and I then witnessed the beginning of a whole new era of naturalists and Astro travellers taking up the art at the Toowoomba Bird Habitat with bird focussed activities for children. I hope they’ll join up to celebrate the 50th reunion in 2075, and laugh about the days when they started.

Galah

Little Corella

I cannot complete a complete diary of my holiday for there is limited space on the internet. I can only recall my tour along the north shore of Brisbane, where we ate fish and chips, and prawns from the hand-script of Herman Melville. I bought a freshly made Cappuccino and sipped it as I photographed a beautiful Brahminy Kite. I’ve decided now to always sip cappuccinos while photographing raptors. That was on a Friday. On Monday morning I was asked to teach the alphabet to Grade Threes. Fortunately, the students were patient and kind to me as I fumbled through it. Just as everyone else.
- Dogfight between Australian Hobby and a Whistling Kite
- Magpie Geese at Gatton Uni
- Yellow-rumped Thornbill
- Magpie Goose in flight
I didn’t see who placed a new cup of tea in front of me, but I see the cup is now sitting still and quiet on the saucer, and the tea is hot and fresh. Thank you. It would be nice though, to have just one more chocolate brownie.

Osprey House
- Crested Tern
- Brahminy Kite
The End
Dark, Quiet,
by Russell Jenkins
January 2, 2025

Apart from my visit to Australia, my 2024 was fairly uneventful birding wise. I’m on holidays at the moment but rain, rain, rain, wind, wind, wind, has been the schedule since December started. Snow is on the menu for tomorrow. The max will be 3, but it has been steadily going between 3 and 5 Celsius for a while now. It is dark. The middle of the day is too dark for bird photography. I’ve had my eye on the Nikkor 600mm f6.3 for a while, but it’d be too dark at that aperture. Even f4 struggles in the middle of winter here.

The photos I’m adding today are from a stroll through Toyanogata on the first day of 2025. It was a better day than last year. I ended up huddled on a rooftop with the threat of tsunami after the earthquake, and the year before I was sick in bed. Yesterday was dark, but I could go for a walk. I saw a Great-spotted Woodpecker, a Northern Goshawk and a Japanese Green Pheasant, but I was too slow to get clear shots. I did see lots of shrikes however. I don’t have many photos of shrikes, so I might try and get some if I have a chance in the days ahead. Birds were the usual suspects, and I was focussing on a Brown-eared Bulbul when it narrowly escaped a charging shrike. The shrike was much smaller, but very fast and aggressive. I always see these things and forget to take the photo!

Bull-headed Shrike
A Visit Home
by Russell Jenkins
December 28, 2024

Five years is a long time. I’d last visited home before the covid stuff, but I eventually got home to see family and friends, eat a lot, and spend some time with my beloved Australian nature this August. I could write about everyone and everything as a detailed summary, but I feel it’s December now, and time has passed. No need to write about the details. Just tell that it was the highlight of my year, and I want to say thank you to all.

I will say I had the most amazing experience with this beautiful Square-tailed Kite who didn’t care about me standing right in front of it when it came and broke off nesting materials, then circled all around me. What a wonderful experience.
A Flurry of Ospreys
by Russell Jenkins
April 10, 2024

When I was a kid, I read old yellowing pages about the effects of the agricultural chemical DDT on raptors such as Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons. The birds ingested the chemical via their diet and it caused the thinning of their eggshells. The rate they were disappearing, it was unlikely they’d see the new century.

I remember seeing my first Osprey sitting high up on a dead tree at the side of the Tingalpa Reservoir, Capalaba, (Queensland, Australia) during the hot mid-afternoon sun on Christmas Day in 1988. I was thrilled and took almost a whole roll of film with my Pentax K1000 and Sigma 80-250mm lens. I think my photos just looked like a grey match stick – the stem of the branch with a grey round blob at the end of it. (Maybe expensive slide film such as Ektachrome).

In the last week of March this year, 2024, I was standing at the edge of the Fukushimagata (wetlands) in Niigata, and I saw an osprey overhead. No big deal anymore. They are resident at the wetlands, and I am used to seeing them. However, after that osprey went by, another one came from another direction. I was lining up a circling bird to photograph it when another crossed its path with a large fish. I was just there for about two hours and saw a continuous flow of busy ospreys. The wetlands are surrounded by vast, then empty rice fields that had just thawed from the winter, and the ospreys crossed the fields at random. I went for a walk away from the wetland area and I saw one osprey hurrying over my left shoulder towards the water, and as I turned to watch it, I saw another one passing over me with another fish. I took it for granted and just visited twice. I think it rained on the Tuesday, but I saw it all happening again on the Wednesday. I visited again on the Friday and stood there for four hours, but didn’t see one. The flurry had finished. It was pretty amazing to see in Japan, twenty-four years into the new century. If I think back to 1988, I had no idea, I’d ever see such a thing.
Uncropped 500mm Full-frame Bird Photos at Wetlands on a Dull Winter Day
by Russell Jenkins
March 12, 2024

What a catchy title, I know, but as my usual Goldilocks-self, I had been pining for that 400mm 4.5 Nikon lens for the last year and a bit. For me, quick and nimble gets most of my best pics, but my experience yesterday, made me feel ‘Goldilocks’ should stick with the porridge she has. 500mm maybe just right for now.

It was sunny a fair bit after the January 1 earthquake, but I didn’t’t feel like standing at the edge of a remote wetland worrying about aftershocks and the near-by sea. Yesterday, was my first outing to Fukushimagata since December 28, 2023. It was pretty dull when I got there and I think most of the swans and geese have already headed north. I saw an eagle back in December, but I think any “Steller’s”, would be gone by now, though I think we should still have a chance to see a “white-tail” until the end of March. The joy of the day was the continuing views of osprey appearing every few minutes and catching fish around me.

I think my 500mm f5.6 is still pretty nice despite squeaks and rattles after five years of regular use. The new 600mm f6.3 might suit me better if I love standing around the wetlands, but as you can see by the dullness of these images, I am wary of going from 5.6 to 6.3, even though it is such a small difference.

Way back when I was young, osprey and peregrines were fading in numbers and became symbols of the damage of chemicals to the environment but I’m happy to announce that these many years later, osprey are one of the more common raptors I see in Niigata.

They seemed to be finding fish just behind a small island not so far off-shore from where I was standing but they’d disappear behind the reeds. I could hear the ‘splash’, but would have to wait for them to come back up before I could see them again.

Some ducks still remain, always lots of Great Cormorants and Great Grebe, with a few Marsh Harriers floating around the place. I love seeing them up against the snow-covered mountains. Of course it’s nice to have close-ups, but framing them in the surrounding environment is more, er, more. It’s more to look at?

Well. Not much snow this winter, and it’s raining here much of the time but I hope to return soon. March at Fukushimagata has its surprises.