On January 1, 2019, I took an early afternoon walk to Yasugawa (野洲川) here in Ritto City (滋賀県 栗東市). Along the road many Eurasian tree sparrows (スズメ) appeared in trees and bushes. Several white wagtails (ハクセキレイ) were in a field, and one was hopping along the river. A beautiful grey wagtail (キセキレイ) appeared briefly and […]
Category Archives: wildlife
Selected Photos of 2018
Twenty of my favorite 2018 photographs of birds, insects, flowers, and landscapes In 2018 I learned the names of quite a few flowers and insects, and I began to look more carefully at larger scenes such as woodlands and riverbanks. In 2019 I want to learn more about the natural world and improve my vision […]
Grey Heron Landing
On December 23, 2018, I was walking between fields near my home when a lone grey heron (アオサギ) appeared in the sky. As the heron began to descend, I aimed my camera at the top of an old light pole, the tallest location along the bird’s flight path. When I first spotted the heron in […]
Great Egret on a Pine Tree
On December 21, the last day of autumn in Japan, I stopped at a quiet spot on the path between two reservoirs in Ritto City. Perched on top of a tall red pine was the only great egret I have seen recently. Nearly all egrets and herons have migrated south, so it was a pleasant […]
Late Autumn Birds
Near the end of November bird photography becomes even more interesting in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture. Some larger birds, including most egrets, herons, and cormorants, fly south for the winter, but winter migrants appear, and some species that live here throughout the year seem more prominent and attractive as the temperatures drop and […]
