A daily record.
Featuring photos of wild birds and nature, mainly from Okinawa Main Island and Ishigaki Island

Pied Avocet Glossy Ibis Crested serpent eagle Javan pond heron Purple Swamphen

GUIDED BIRDWATCHING TOUR

Go where the birds are. The SHIMASOBA Tour launches.

We'll drive you around Ishigaki Island to wherever the birds are showing best that day. Observation is mostly from inside the vehicle, and we keep it to a maximum of 3 guests so everyone can take their time.

Max. 3 guests 4 hours in the morning Beginners welcome
Check availability and book

ニシオジロビタキ撮り直し

先日のニシオジロビタキ の写真が酷すぎるので撮り直してきましたが、やはり手強い…。^^; 本土の人たちはバシバシ撮りまくってるのに、沖縄に来るニシオジロビタキは警戒心が強すぎです。ロクヨンまで持ち出したのになんとか撮れたのは400mmでの一瞬。遠すぎて話にならない。

今日は、同じ公園内にいつくジョウビタキのメスがニシオジロビタキを追い回していました。同じ仲間なんだから仲良くしてほしい。おかげで、友人数人に教えたのですが、皆さん見られなかったそうです。残念。

Red-breasted Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatcher

A first-winter Taiga Flycatcher — just barely got the shot. It only came out into the open once, for a few seconds. The Daurian Redstarts and Pale Thrushes kept getting in the way. ^^;

Daurian Redstart
Daurian Redstart

A female Daurian Redstart that wasn't happy about the Taiga Flycatcher. Daurian Redstarts are uncommon on the main island, so I'm glad to see one, but it's complicated. ^^;

Ryukyu Pygmy Woodpecker
Ryukyu Pygmy Woodpecker

A Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker excavating a hole in a tree. I asked a senior birder about it — apparently it's digging a winter roost.

Ryukyu Pygmy Woodpecker
Ryukyu Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers are tame wherever you find them.

Categories: 野鳥

滞在4日目のニシオジロビタキ

昨日は警戒心が強く、なかなか撮らせてくれなかったニシオジロビタキ でしたが、今朝は随分愛想よく目の前に現れては地面でエサを取っていました。滞在4日目。越冬に期待です。

友人と2人で餌場付近で静かに待ち構えていると、頻繁に現れては藪の中に隠れるという行動を取っていました。隣の広場でサッカーと野球が行われており、時折、打球が飛んできましたが、あまり影響はないようでした。むしろ、宿敵のシロハラとジョウビタキが人影に驚いて少なかったので、ニシオジロビタキは落ち着いてエサを取れたのかもしれません。^^

Red-breasted Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatcher

The Taiga Flycatcher landed in a great spot. The bill color comes through clearly too.

Red-breasted Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatcher

The throat and flanks look slightly orangey, but apparently sex cannot be determined from a first-winter Taiga Flycatcher.

Red-breasted Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatcher

It's usually active in very dark conditions, so the photos come out blurred. ^^;

Red-breasted Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatcher

The uppertail-coverts show the Taiga Flycatcher's characteristics well too.

Categories: 野鳥