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

The Common Hoopoe that arrived on February 24 was still present. Once startled into the woods, it tends not to come back out for a while.

White's Thrush has been unusually numerous across Japan this season, and Ishigaki Island is no exception — birds are being reported all over the place. They're large and impressive.

The Eurasian Hoopoe that has been present since yesterday was raising its crest frequently. I wish it would move somewhere a little more peaceful….

The Minister of Defense was visiting Yonaguni Island, so off I went on another work trip. I managed a little birdwatching in between duties. ^^

Driving through the farmland, I could hear Siberian Rubythroat, Ryukyu Robin, Manchurian Bush Warbler, Japanese Bush Warbler, Arctic Warbler, and Emberiza buntings calling. The density is considerably higher than on Ishigaki Island. It was a short visit, but I enjoyed it a great deal.

A Siberian Rubythroat in the morning, moving through the undergrowth while giving its call note.

White's Thrush has been turning up frequently this season. They're quite wary, so this was the first individual I managed to photograph. Pale Thrush and Brown-headed Thrush are also present on Ishigaki Island at the moment, but Dusky Thrush has been almost nowhere to be seen.

The Pied Avocet has been staying a long time. Temminck's Stint, Little Ringed Plover, Long-toed Stint, and Wood Sandpiper have all increased slightly in number. Spring migration may be getting underway soon.

A White's Thrush in the rice fields. It is noticeably larger than Pale and Brown Thrushes, and the bold patterning adds to its presence.

Common Hoopoes are being reported from all over the island. It looks like a decent start to the season.

The Rosy Starling that has been wintering since last year is gradually moulting. I'm hoping it will stay as long as possible, but I have a feeling it may move on soon…

Lately, a fairly large flock of Red-billed Starlings has been coming to the car park at my workplace. They appear to be feeding on the fruits of the planted ironwood trees.

A completely fearless White's Thrush turned up — spotted and pointed out to me by a friend visiting from Akita Prefecture. I had several encounters with White's Thrush from late last year into early January, but after that they vanished. This individual seems to have stopped in on spring passage.

Japanese Bush Warblers have increased sharply, just as the Manchurian Bush Warblers have completely disappeared. I'm hearing subsong frequently these days. Little Buntings and Red-throated Pipits — whether they're on passage or moving around within the island I can't say — are fluctuating, with numbers going up and down.

Eurasian Hoopoes at the reliable spot. There appeared to be around four of them.

Canon のEOS-1D X Mark IIからSONYのα9IIに乗り換えてちょうど1年たちましたが、SONY初のプロ機となるα1が出たので買い換えました。発売日翌日に到着し、本日、少しだけ試し撮りしてきました。

α1での初撮りは、この時季の石垣島らしくヤツガシラ。きょうは2カ所で2羽の飛来を確認。ISO1600で撮影しましたがα9IIよりノイズは増えますね。5000万画素のハイレゾ機なのでしかたないです…。

次は暗い林道にトラツグミ。林道が狭くまともに撮れない状況でなんとか草の向こうにいる姿を撮影。手前の草にピントを取られることなく撮れました。

公園のペアのズグロミゾゴイは婚姻色で顔が真っ青に染まっていました。鳥瞳AFはしっかりと効いています。

ムラサキサギ、アマサギの飛翔時にも瞳AFは余裕で機能しました。若干、ムラサキサギは迷いましたが、アマサギの方は飛ぼうが歩き回ろうがしっかり目にピントが来ています。

α1の鳥瞳AFは、おそらくカワセミを重点的に学習させてあるようで、以下の写真のような米粒ぐらいの大きさの被写体でも一瞬でしっかりと目を検出していました。公園とかでカワセミ撮ってる金持ち団塊世代がターゲットなのでしょうか?^^;

シギやチドリは苦手なようで、遠いと瞳AFは使えませんが、それなりに近い被写体ならしっかりと目を検出していました。不思議なことにセイタカシギは近くても全く目を検出しません。学習が足りないと思われますので、新しいファームウエアに期待ですね。

カルガモやイシガキヒヨドリはバシッと目に反応していました。

Eurasian Hoopoe at the reliable spot. Another individual turned up as well.

昨日のヤツガシラ に続き、またまた野鳥ガイドのスポッターさんに教えていただいたのが、トラツグミでした。こちらも石垣島で長期滞在中の越冬モードです。冬季はトラツグミはそこそこ見るのですが、警戒心が強かったりでなかなかコンスタントに観察できない中で、ここの個体は優秀です。^^

ツグミやハチジョウツグミ 、シロハラ、アカハラと共に過ごしていますが、トラツグミはそれらより一回り大きいのでかなり目立ちます。

ミサゴやカラスが上空を通過したりすると敏感に反応して警戒し、藪に逃げ込んだりしていましたが、人間に対しての警戒心はそれほど強くありませんでした。

A White's Thrush that caught an earthworm. It didn't treat us to the tiger dance.