GUIDED BIRDWATCHING TOUR
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.
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A rare parent-and-chick two-shot with Ryukyu Scops Owls. ^^ At 600mm it was too close. ^^;
Looking a little more dignified than last night, maybe?
The female parent came to check on things several times without any food. I'm worried the chick might be abandoned if it can't get out much longer…
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I'm not sure how she finds them, but she kept bringing earthworms.
After delivering food, she immediately went back out to forage.
Stuffing a grasshopper deep into the chick's wide-open mouth. ^^;
Three chicks are visible. The Ryukyu Kingfisher lays fewer eggs than the Japanese Kingfisher — just three. Occasionally an individual will lay four.
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A chick that apparently fledged last night. First time I've seen a fledgling from this pair's nest. ^^
They always fledge when I least expect it…
The female brought food to the nest several times.
This is a different nest. It looks like the chicks haven't fledged yet.
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It does have ear tufts, but compared to adults it's rounded all over. ^^
昨夜巣立ちした長男 に続き次男も巣立ちました。^^
There's still a little white down left. ^^
This is how they clamber out when leaving the nest.
The mother Ryukyu Scops Owl. She keeps watch over the fledged second chick from nearby. Unlike a Brown Hawk-Owl, she almost never goes right next to it.