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

Pied Avocet Black Bittern Javan pond heron Eurasian Hoopoe Collared Kingfisher

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

本日のリュウキュウアカショウビンは3個体、今季5個体目

連日アカショウビンが観察できています。^^ 今日は、仕事前に2時間ほどアカショウビンのポイントを回ったら雨の中、元気に餌捕りに励んでいました。この場所は、カタツムリが多いらしく、捕まえる獲物のほとんどを占めていました。

すでに、ペアで巣穴堀をしているアカショウビンもいたり、おなじみの止まり木に止まっているアカショウビンもいたりします。昨年の写真と比べてみると同じと思われる個体も数羽います。

最近増えている外来種のクジャクもカタツムリを食っているので、競合しないか心配ですね。

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

The Ruddy Kingfishers at this spot already seemed to be paired up — even when another individual came close, there was no chasing off.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

When a Ruddy Kingfisher catches a snail, it strikes it against a branch or similar surface several times to break the shell, then swallows it whole.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

When the rain got heavier, it was hunting prey from a spot sheltered from the rain by the tree canopy. A Ruddy Kingfisher in the rain really is beautiful. ^^

Categories: 野鳥

リュウキュウアカショウビン、今季2羽目!!(動画あり)

見つけた時は暗ーい藪にいたアカショウビンですが、しばらく待ったら開けたところまで出てきてくれました。^^

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

This was the first branch the Ruddy Kingfisher landed on after coming out of the undergrowth. I finally found a spot with no obstructing branches and got the shot.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

It came out even closer toward me. I hid behind cover and shot handheld.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

Under overcast skies, stopping this well at 840mm is more than enough. Since switching to the EF600mm F4 IS II USM with four stops of image stabilization, I've been shooting handheld more often. The lens is also considerably lighter than the Mark I. ^^ A close-up Ruddy Kingfisher is adorable.

Categories: 野鳥

皆既月蝕

雲に覆われ、時折小雨も降ってくるので諦めかけていましたが、なんとか雲間から月蝕の様子が撮影できました。

It appeared through a gap in the clouds as the total eclipse ended and the partial phase began.

Categories: 天体

今季初のリュウキュウアカショウビン!!

4月1日にアカショウビンの初鳴きを聞いて本日、撮影できました!! 昨年の9月25日に幼鳥のアカショウビン を見て以来。実に191日ぶりです!!

昨年のアカショウビンは、 3月31日に初鳴きを聞いて4月13日に撮影 でしたので、かなり早く写真に収めることができました。ちなみにこの個体は 昨年の初撮影個体 のペアのオスの方です。

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher singing in its beautiful voice. A shame the background and light weren't quite there. ^^;

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

It perched on this branch for a while, then disappeared into the forest.

Categories: 野鳥

カンムリワシ、ズグロミゾゴイ

アカショウビンの鳴き声が4月1日から聞こえ出したので、探しているのですが、見つかるのはカンムリワシとズグロミゾゴイばかり…。^^;

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

A Crested Serpent Eagle on the usual forest road. The background was lovely, so I grabbed a shot. ^^

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

For the past two weeks or so the new buds have been bursting out one after another, making for a beautiful backdrop.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

Coming out of the Omoto Tunnel, there was a Crested Serpent Eagle. ^^

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

I've been seeing this Crested Serpent Eagle for a long time now.

Malayan Night Heron
Malayan Night Heron

The Ryukyu Night Heron is looking beautiful with its nuptial colors coming in.

Categories: 野鳥