Niigata
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Fun, Sun, and Snow!
After a very cold week, Saturday brought sunshine to Niigata City. I woke up early but didn’t want to go out on black ice when it was 1 degree celsius and waited till after 8. By then, the centre of the roads had begun to thaw and I felt safer going out and about. I… Continue reading
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The Winter Winds
I arrived back to Japan after my September adventure in Australia and it was still hot. I walked around in a dream with the images of Fairy-wrens, Galahs, and kangaroos in my mind and the the days turned to nights and the bright summer light eventually faded and the winds came. Always in late October,… Continue reading
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Kamo-Yama-Koen in Summer
The summer scenery at Kamo, Niigata Continue reading
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A Summer Summary
I haven’t found too many birds the last month or so, but have seen some nice scenery. I had two weeks off in August and visited a few places in Niigata. We spent one night in a hotel in the Bandai Asahi National Park, and spent an afternoon at Sakata, Niigata. I also had a… Continue reading
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Mountain Day August 10, 2020
Today was a holiday! We’ve all had such a hard time this year and it is nice not to be so busy. We’ve had a lot of rain, and it rained all weekend, but today was fine. Fine, but very hot. Anyway, we went for a drive to the mountains. We didn’t know where to… Continue reading
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Days Gone, Days to Come
Here are some photos taken last Sunday. It normally wouldn’t be a big deal to post them on a Wednesday, but today is the start of a new decade. I had nice walks at Hyoko, Sakata, and Fukushimagata on the weekend. One distant sighting of a White-tailed Sea-eagle, lots of geese and swans, and ducks… Continue reading
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River of the Dancing Lanterns
Niigata had two special visitors the last couple of days…. The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Continue reading
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The Swans, The Mountains and The Ducks
Well, the winter break is far over already. I was hoping to spend lots of time capturing goshawks and falcons chasing ducks around the wetlands, but I could only muster a few rare and distant glimpses. My most successful photos were just of the swans and the mountains, which I took on December 31. Maybe… Continue reading
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Goshawks 2016
Northern Goshawks Niigata, Japan June 19, 2016 Mr Honma and I went for a quick look at the goshawk nest this morning. I have been impatiently wanting to check it out but we have been waiting for the chicks to leave the nest. We were a bit early with two just out of the… Continue reading
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Sakura Along the Shinano River 2016
Sakura Shinano River, Niigata, Japan Sony RX100iii April 2016 Here are some pics from along the Shinano River in Niigata City taken the last couple of weeks. I have been in gear-head mode. Most of these pics are with the Sony RX100iii. A superb little camera. I also used my Nikon D800 with Nikkor AF-S… Continue reading
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The Nakano Residence, Niitsu
Nakano Residence Niitsu, Niigata, Japan November 7, 2015 Today we went to the Nakano Residence in Niitsu, Niigata. It wasn’t sunny but the place glowed with the colours of November. We took over 500 photographs. Here’s 10. It was so nice. I recommend a stroll there. Here is a link to their website: The Nakano Residence,… Continue reading
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Return of the Great Ice Eagle 2015
Steller’s Sea-eagle Niigata, Japan February 7, 2015 There were about four cars there when Mr Honma and I arrived about 8:30, but about four and a half hours later when we were leaving we counted 20 or more (Not including the ones that had come and gone and were about to arrive) 10 along one… Continue reading
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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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Wild Expectations
Bean Geese Fukushimagata, Niigata, November 27, 2011 Today I met up with my friend, Mr Honma for a day of birding at Fukushimagata, Niigata. I’ve just uploaded what is a pretty normal fine day’s birding there, this time of the year. Common Kestrel above and below Grey Heron Peregrine Falcon Eastern Marsh Harrier Great Cormorant… Continue reading
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Steller’s Sea-eagle in Niigata.
Steller’s Sea-eagle. -Power line tower # 18, a couple of k’s north of Fukushimagata, Niigata. Some photos of an adult Steller’s Sea-eagle as seen near Fukushimagata, Niigata. The photos are mixed-up but were taken on February 6 and today, the 19th. They aren’t great photos but it’s my first encounter with this species here since… Continue reading