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July 30, 2011

One Chance.

Post edit: Eurasian Spoonbill I had believed I had encountered a Black-faced Spoonbill but looking at it again, the distinct face and pinkish bill are of a Eurasian Spoonbill. Thanks very much to Ayuwat from Unravel and Stu from Hakodate Birding for the comments below and keeping me honest. (Photographs at Fukushimagata, Niigata, January 9, Continue reading

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Eurasian Spoonbill, Fukushimagata
July 21, 2011

A Frogmouth on its Nest.

Tawny Frogmouth on a nest. (Murphys Creek, Queensland, 2008) I usually don’t like going up to birds in nests but I quickly took couple of snaps of this Tawny Frogmouth sitting on a nest in a tree alongside a country road. The lower picture shows the true angle. Tawny Frogmouths often put their nests in Continue reading

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Tawny Frogmouth
July 13, 2011

Look! A Tanuki

Tanuki A standoff with a wild Tanuki back in May 2006 at Sakata, Niigata. Lucky neither of us had a six-gun. Tanukis are referred to in English as “Raccoon Dogs”. When I first researched about them ten years ago I found they were not related to either raccoons or to canines. It seems now though, Continue reading

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Raccoon Dog, Tanuki
July 9, 2011

Whistler

Whistling Kite (Lake Apex, Gatton, Queensland, September 1, 2008) Got these pics with a Pentax D200 and Sigma 28-300mm f6.3 lens. Nice and portable but slow auto-focus. Was with some members of the Toowoomba Bird Observers and we were all clicking away happily. I regret that the originals are -j-pegs. I wish I’d set it Continue reading

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Australian Raptors, Whistling Kite
July 4, 2011

One Weekend in Summer

Oriental Reed Warbler (Fukushimagata, Niigata, July 3, 2011) Had a warm, humid and cloudy weekend with just a few spots of rain. Visited Junsai-ike on Saturday night to see my first ever fireflies. I thought they were stunning, but I just took my little compact camera for some shots and we didn’t spend too much Continue reading

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Firefly, Frog, Fukushimagata, Japanese Bumble Bee, Oriental Reed Warbler, Skink
June 23, 2011

Black-crowned Night Heron et al.

Black-crowned Night Heron (Fukushimagata, Niigata, June 19, 2011) Saw the most Black-crowned Night Herons that I’ve ever seen at Fukushimagata last weekend. One or two flew over every few seconds. I also saw the other usual species for summer. I usually overlook them but decided most things are worth trying to photograph if the light Continue reading

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Barn Swallow, Black-crowned Night heron, Black-eared Kite, Great Cormorant, Oriental Turtle Dove
June 20, 2011

Slo Mo Tsubame.

No problem with your connection. These videos are intended to be slow motion. “Tsubame” is the Japanese word for “Swallow”. It’s the baseball season and I heard that the “Swallows” were pretty famous so I went out for a look. They sure look cute and provide good action but I’m sceptical about their baseball skills. Continue reading

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Barn Swallow, Tsubame
June 8, 2011

Whistleblowers of the Bush.

Noisy Miner (Toowoomba, 2010) Noisy Minors are actually a large species of honeyeater. They are not bashful and live in noisy, family groups. I’m not sure whether people in my childhood confused them with other species such as Indian Mynas or Apostlebirds, but I remember some people referring to these birds as “Happy Family Birds”. Continue reading

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Australian Raptor guides, Australian Raptors, Noisy Miner
June 4, 2011

Lunch.

Common Kestrel (Fukushimagata, June 4, 2011) Today, I was strolling in the middle of the day at Fukushimagata. I was walking in an area with long grass and reeds all around and was thus surrounded by the calls of warblers, sparrows and finches. Suddenly I realised that with a few chirps, all the small birds Continue reading

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Common Kestrel, White Wagtail
May 28, 2011

Grey Heron

Grey Heron Fukushimagata, May 28, 2011. Grey Herons are common all year round in Niigata, however it seems numbers are highest in the warmer months when there are frogs and things in the rice fields. It’s easy to overlook them because they are so common. Grey Heron Summer 2010 Also at the moment Carrion Crows Continue reading

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Black-eared Kite, Carrion Crow, Grey Heron
May 21, 2011

Bird-Love-Care Centre at Shuinji, Shibata, Niigata.

Mountain Hawk Eagle, at Saezuri-mosato, Niigata Prefecture, June 2009. It’s raining again for the weekend so I’ve been browsing old files… Niigata gets 250 days of precipitation a year according to wikipedia. (Monday to Friday was beautiful). Strange title to this post but we don’t know how else to translate it. “Saezuri-mosato” (Singing-bird-village) is the name Continue reading

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Golden Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Saezuri-mosato, Ural Owl
May 16, 2011

The Briefest Glimpse.

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (Junsai-ike, Niigata, May 15, 2011) Not my best photos but exciting first encounters for me. Just had the briefest glimpse of the Japanese Paradise Flycatcher high up in the canopy before it made squiggles with its long tail into the shadows. Also Mugimaki Flycatchers seem to be around in numbers and are Continue reading

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Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher
May 14, 2011

A Welcomed Sight.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher Went to Toyanogata looking for birds yesterday afternoon. The first time in a month. I wasn’t really expecting to see much as I had a call from a friend on Wednesday night who goes out a lot and he reported that things had been very quiet: “No Blue-and-white Flycatchers in Niigata this year”. Continue reading

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Black-eared Kite, Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Toyanogata
May 8, 2011

Golden Lanterns.

Female Oriental Greenfinch with nesting material at Toyanogata, Niigata, April 17, 2011. Golden Week has come and gone for another year. I didn’t do any bird watching. Last ‘bird’ outing was at Toyanogata back on April 17. Didn’t really see much although we found a couple of Long-tailed Rosefinches almost in the exact spot I Continue reading

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Azure-winged Magpie, Japanese Lantern, Komainu, Lion-dog, Northern Culture Museum, Oriental Greenfinch, Toro, Wisteria, Yahiko Shrine
April 16, 2011

Long-tailed Rosefinch

Long-tailed Rosefinch Long-tailed Rosefinch photographed at Toyanogata on April 10, last year, (2010). I really hate the branch behind the bird and if I could be bothered it would be interesting to paint it out using photo software. (I don’t like fake wildlife photos). The cherry blossoms have come out this last week and after Continue reading

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Long-tailed Rosefinch

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.