Summer Lovin’

Tiger Shrike
female

Niigata, Japan

July, 2018

I’ve been enjoying summer this year. I feel for those suffering from the floods though.

I have been trying to get out despite of my feebleness in the hot weather. I think winter is so long here that I should enjoy wearing t-shirts and shorts while I can. There have been some nice summer things to see including bugs, dragonflies and butterflies. I have been trying to collect images of the dragonflies to post later after I’ve tried to ID them. I’ve also seen many butterflies but mostly on the wing and out of reach of my lens. 
Yesterday was the anniversary of breaking my arm so I’m pleased I can get out with my camera. It’s good to look back and realise that I have had many good days since. 
I’ve watched the kestrels at the cement factory court, return to the nest with food, fledge, practice hunting bugs, and disperse for another year too.

Azure-winged Magpies

newly fledged

Bull-headed Shrike

Pigeon

Eurasian Kestrel

Whiskered Tern

summer 

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 has been very hot for this time of the year.

I saw White-winged Black Terns at the beginning of summer which was also a new record for me.

On Saturday, I took pics with the Nikon D800 and 200-500mm Nikkor and Sunday, I used a Nikon D7100 with 80-400mm VR AF-S.