Tag: Barn Swallow

Two Shots for the Weekend

by Russell Jenkins, posted in Uncategorized
Barn Swallows

Shirone, Niigata, Japan

June 9, 2018
Here are just two shots from this weekend, which  I thought were worth showing. Thanks to Luke and Jonah for showing me the Tiger Shrike. 
I was also happy to see many swallow nests under the shop awnings in the streets of Shirone. Many of the stores there have made special platforms for swallows to nest and I even stepped into a piece of newspaper especially placed beneath a nest to catch whatever falling debris there may be. I’m such a Mr Bean.
Tiger Shrike

Male

Niigata, Japan

Back to Birding

by Russell Jenkins, posted in Uncategorized
Peregrine Falcon

Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan

September 18, 2017

It’s been a while since I posted some birds on this blog. I rediscovered over the weekend that walking around and photographing birds makes me happy. I should do more of it. We all should.

Black-crowned Night Heron

Juvenile

Great Crested Grebe

Hyoko, Niigata, Japan

September 19, 2017

Common Kingfisher

Barn Swallow

Great White Egret  (above) framed by Eastern Cattle Egrets, except maybe the one on the right?

Oriental Turtle Dove

Great Crested Grebes in winter attire

Swifts and Terns

by Russell Jenkins, posted in Uncategorized
White-winged Tern

Sakata, Niigata, Japan

June 4, 2016
Had a scarce bird outing on Saturday and Sunday and found some scarce birds to match. I think these were White-winged Terns. At first I thought they were Black Terns but I think the contrasts are more likely to be White-wings. Both are scarce in Japan.

I also had some swifts that came overhead for a couple of minutes. It was quite gusty and challenging for the D7100 and AF-S 80-400mm to keep up. I was so frustrated with the buffer of the camera. Every time a bird was coming towards me I’d start firing when in range but the camera would freeze after 3 shots. I really need to convince my wife that I need a D500. On Sunday I went back with the D800 and found it was much better but I didn’t get close enough for any decent shots.
There were two pods of terns on both days. The more common-usual, Little Terns and White-winged terns took turns in their groups to pass over the lake. The rarer bird seemed shyer and rarely came over close. 

Little Tern

Pacific Swift

Barn Swallow

Tsubame Swallow

by Russell Jenkins, posted in Uncategorized

Barn Swallow

“Tsubame” – Japanese

Sakata, Niigata, Japan

June 7, 2015

Beautiful weather today and I went on a nice bike ride with my mate, Billy. I’m teaching him a little  about birding and we managed to watch this family of swallows for a bit. Actually, there was a lady there first trying to get the same shots. A very nice start to summer.

Saturday Morn

by Russell Jenkins, posted in Uncategorized
Barn Swallow

Junsai-ike, Niigata, Japan

April 13, 2013

Last Saturday morn Mr Honma and myself visited Junsai-ike from 7am til it started raining at about 10. I felt cold and called it a day. Typically it became fine and warm once I got home and packed up the camera. 
Some blossoms about but also bits of melting snow under the hedges etc. I think when the weather became finer it would have been too crowded with humans for birds. 

We saw this lost bunny when we arrived. It’s haunted me since. I should have tried to catch it.

Black-faced Bunting female


Thought this was an Eurasian Siskin female however, many thanks to Pat Moll with the comment below

I think: first time for me to ID these.

male Black-faced Bunting


ID thanks to Pat Moll, comment below.
Great Spotted Woodpecker female

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Common Moorhen