Wordless Wednesday: Northern Shoveler

 

Grey-faced Buzzard - Migratory Visitor to Okinawa

 

 

Spotted Today in Kin Town

They've been on the island for a few days now but, this morning was the first time I saw one. 

It's always nice to see these characters, they are raptors and eat bugs, snakes, and mice.

It would really be cool to see one grab a mongoose and fly off with it. Not gonna happen.

Crows don't appreciate these birds coming to vacation for the winter.

This one hopped around on the wire, yelling at the guest about being here.

The buzzard just stared at him like, "How'd you like your face shredded, knucklehead?"

The crow finished his little speech and flew off to be a nuisance somewhere else.

MORE ABOUT GREY-FACED BUZZARDS

Return of the Pacific Golden Plover to Okinawa, Japan

Early This Year

These birds are usually winter visitors to the island. Like November through April.

The year 2020 has pulled a few surprises so, maybe this is just another one.

The scientific name for these birds is Pluvialis fulva.

In Japan, they're called Munaguro (ムナグロ).

More about these birds in this previous post.

Enough of Corona-virus Mudslinging

Bird has a Message

Migratory birds will soon depart the Okinawa islands.

Here's a Grey-faced Buzzard ready to fly north as winter comes to an end.

These birds live here from October or November until March when the weather gets warmer.

Home for them could be China, Japan or Russia.

 Taiwan sees the same migrants that winter in the Ryukyu Islands.

Where Would Be the Closest Destination?

With all the news out of Wuhan, China I decided to see if I could locate it on a map.

China would be the shortest flight for the migration of birds.

From Naha, Okinawa to Wuhan, China it's 869 miles or, about 1,400 kilometers.

Tokyo, Japan is 966 miles or 1,554 kilometers away from Okinawa.

Our feathered friends wouldn't have such a long flight if they headed over to China.

World Leaders and Politicians

Around the globe lawmakers from the left, right and middle, rant on the news every day.

They should stop ridiculing others and work together on this corona-virus problem.

Quit making up conspiracy theories and blaming foreigners for their problems.

Where's the Message from the Bird?

Well, I ain't a politician or world leader so, there's no sense in trying to act like one.

See, I just hope that bird flys to China and poops on their leader's head!

This Bird Made My Day

A Hectic Week with Springlike Weather

Daylight temperatures have been mild this week and we've been going outside without jackets.

It could be a sign that winter is over but, you never know when you're living on an island.

This afternoon skies got cloudy several times and there was a good chance it would rain.

The past few days I spent lots of time going to the dentist and a massage expert.

No need to give you the gory details, let's just say appointments kept me busy.

A Few Minutes Break in the Clouds

Several dozen shots were composed, of this bird, perched on poles under darkened skies.

When I spotted the critter perched in a tree, I moved closer and set up the tripod.

Clouds were rapidly moving across the background. I wanted some blue sky.

The Pentax K1 was equipped with a 1.4 converter and 300 MM lens.

The photo above was taken at 4:39 PM with an exposure of f 5.6 1/4000 ISO 800.

Exposure was adjusted to f 9 1/1250 ISO 800 and the bird launched while it was still 4:39 PM.

The Grey-faced Buzzard is a migratory bird, visiting Okinawa from October until March.

Hopefully, I'll be able to capture more images of them in-flight before they depart.

Wordless Wednesday: Fine Day in December

Migratory Visitor Bird Image - Little Bunting

Wintering in Okinawa

Luckily, I have an internet friend who speaks Dutch and hooked me up with this bird ID.

Whenever I find a critter (like this) which becomes unidentifiable, I turn to Facebook.

I submit a photo to a Closed Group named "Determinatie van planten en dieren."

In English, I give them the location the animal was photographed in and ask for help.

Within hours, sometimes minutes, I get an identification.

My friend got me into this Closed Group somehow but, I won't reveal her name.

She's like some kind of magic lady and, I don't want the CIA hunting her down.

When I posted this photo to Facebook, she was the first one to identify the bird.

She opened a 300-page bird book and the Little Bunting was the first bird to show up.

Hey! The CIA Could Use People Like Her

First, let me tell you where you can learn more about this bird.

Handbook of the Birds of the World, tells you where they come from.

Old World Europe, Russia, and northern China have these birds.

They must not like snow so, they winter in the southern climates.

More could be found in Wikipedia but, I think the CIA doesn't like them anymore.

CIA Dudes can reach me by email, for more information on that woman.

But, they better be talking some big bucks or, I won't say nothing!

Portrait of a Grey-faced Buzzard in Okinawa

AKA Butastur indicus

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Sigma 50-500 + 1.4 Converter Focal Length 700 MM

Exposure: f/9.5  1/400  ISO 800

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: NOV 26 2018,  9:45 AM

Wordless Wednesday: Return of the Screaming Eagle

Sashiba (Grey-faced Buzzard) in Kin Town

Bird of the Day: Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

Called Sashiba (サシバ) in Japan

This is the first time this year I've gotten a halfway decent shot of the Grey-faced Buzzard.

They've been on the island since the beginning of  November but, rarely stop to pose for me.

Several shots were taken with the Pentax K1 and, I may create a GIF later this week.

It's been a busy day and, it's about to get a bit longer so, I'm departing the premises. 

More About Buzzard Eagles

Wordless Wednesday - Migratory Visitor

Sashiba (サシバ) The Raptor in Flight

Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle

This bird is known locally as a Sashiba. Scientific name: Butastur indicus.

They migrate from northern territories and winter in Okinawa.

Normally the birds reside here from November to March and, they are nice to have around.

Raptors, are birds of prey with sharp, hooked beaks that shred meat and, sharp talons.

They swoop down and grab snakes, rats, mice, bugs, and other pests.

This is a fairly large one, that hangs around a field, about 15 minutes walk, from my office.

Now, that I know where he hunts, I may be spending the rest of the month, watching.

It would be my pleasure, to capture a photo of this guy, grabbing and eating a mongoose!

Bird Photo: Pair of Grey-faced Buzzard Eagles in Flight

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM + 1.4 Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/7.1  1/1600   ISO 400

Location: Kin Town Okinawa Japan

Date and Time  JAN 28  2017  12:03 PM

Bird Animation: Eurasian Teals in Tomigusuku Okinawa

Colorful Little Characters

These birds, resembling ducks, are migratory visitors to the island.

The series of photos in this GIF, were taken with a Pentax K1 with 420MM of lens.

It was shortly after noon so, I left Tomigusuku, to get some lunch.


Previous Post- Wildlife Photos: Teal (Anas crecca) in Okinawa

7 Tundra Bean Geese Not in a Row

Photo of the Day

It took two days, of getting up before the sun and, about 20 miles of walking.

A few rainstorms, lots of patience and, a little bit of sweating, slipping and sliding, to geterdun.

For some reason, these birds, don't usually get together, like this.

Five, hangout in one flock and, two go off on their own.

This morning, they all got together for a group photo but, wouldn't hold still for the camera.

It took several hundred shots, to get all of them, with their noses in the air.

A little trick, I used will be posted on the blog at a later date.

Another Supermoon is supposed to show, this month and, that's my next mission.

The next three nights, I'll be out, trying to catch the full moon, peeking through the clouds.

More on these migratory birds, after I catch up on some sleep.

Return of the Bean Goose to Kin Town in Okinawa

It Isn't Everyday You See Wild Geese on the Island

 

Whenever you spot one, out in the open, it's a good idea, to take lots of pictures.

They, aren't used to hanging around people in this part of the world.

So, you need to sneak up on them slowly and quietly or, they'll fly away, in a hurry.

They are called Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris) a migratory visitor.

In Japan,  Hishikui (ヒシクイ) is what they're called. And, people love these birds.

 Seeing two of them means, you're twice as lucky but, be cautious; they're watching for you.

Approach them cautiously so, you don't spook them and, be twice as quiet, doing it.

Three of them, in the same day, is like winning the Trifecta in a horse race.

If one of them spots you, sneaking around, for a good shot, they'll all take off and fly away.

Bird lovers, photographers and probably news cameras, will go crazy over these geese.

They weren't in the fields of Kin Town yesterday, I know because, I was there.

And, had my lens, cranked all the way out to 700MM, to take these photos.

As soon as, I had enough photos, I sent a message to a cameraman friend.

Because, I know he will want to get there before the crowds and, take some photos, too.

 Just to make sure, there's no confusion about, where the geese are located, a wide angle view.

GPS Coordinates:

Latitude: 26.447

Longitude: 127.935 

RESOURCES:

Avibase

Birdlife

Internet Bird Collection

Oriental Bird Images


RELATED POST:

Tundra Bean Goose Visiting Okinawa

This Bird Is Called Munaguro ( ムナグロ ) in Japan

Pacific Golden Plover a Migratory Visitor

 

 

Tundra country is where they breed and raise their youngsters; they spend the winter here.

So, this bird probably flew down to Okinawa from Hokkaido or Russia.

Have you ever heard of a bird planting a bomb on an airplane?  Me, neither.

Anyway, I got thinking maybe, people should start traveling, the way birds do.

They don't carry any baggage and, they arrive here naked.

All those airlines, so-called-security people, could find jobs elsewhere.

There's plenty of trash around the world in the oceans, rivers, and streets, they could pick up.

Who Wants to Fly and See Other Folks in the Nude?

 

 

It's probably illegal in many places around the world; I'm not that stupid!

And, I really have no desire to see a bunch of fat old men and women naked on the plane.

Keep a few of those airline security varmints on the payroll, is what I recommend.

In the airport security room, where everybody gets undressed, they could work.

They would be the ones, who wrap your clothes up and, mail them home to you.

And, we could have them, wrap your private parts up in aluminum foil.

The more aluminum it takes, the more your ticket would cost.

Problem solved except, I forgot one thing; excess baggage, I've been meaning to gripe about.

Under my new Airline Security Program, there would be no baggage.

Humans are the airplane's baggage and, we should all pay fair prices for our travel.

So, if some individual, happens to be twice as heavy as my skinny bones are, they should pay.

Folks carrying around a bunch of excess baggage should be charged for it.

Don't you agree?

Back to the Golden Plover

It goes by the Latin name of Pluvialis fulva.

A type of shorebird, its diet consists of crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and bugs.

During the mating season, it also consumes berries, leaves, and seeds.

It makes a noise, that sounds like "Two-Wit,  Two-Wit."

And, it's loud enough, I can even hear them when they're in the area. That's loud!

REFERENCES:

Bird Forum

Cornell All About Birds

Wildlife Okinawa

 

Wildlife Photos: Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Whimbrels are migratory visitors to Okinawa.

These birds breed in cold climates, such as the Arctic and, fly south for the winter.

Usually, I see the migratory species fly here sometime in November.

Today was the 31st of August.  Maybe, winter is coming early this year !

More About Whimbrels

You May Also Like:

Whimbrel Watching at the Okukubi River

Whimbrel in Flight

These Birds Are Members of the Turdus Family

Dusky Thrush is the common name for the critters.

The scientific community would call them Turdus eunomus.

A handy chart at Birds of the World helped me identify this species.

They could be on their way back to Siberia now that Spring has arrived.

That's what, I learned from the folks at Avibase.

Plenty of photos were taken because, I have never seen birds like this before.

It would have been a good idea to carry a zoom lens.

The birds wouldn't let me get too close before they flew away.

And, all I had to shoot with was a 300mm lens.

Plenty of websites were checked to make sure, I had a correct ID.

Somebody, in Japan, even made a video of this bird, eating a worm.

More about this bird (in Japanese) may be seen here.

Eastern Spot-billed Ducks in a Motion GIF

 Anas zonorhyncha would be the scientific name for these birds.

They are migratory visitors to the Ryukyu islands.

Read more about them at South Dakota Birds and Birding.

More, in Japanese, at Wildlife Okinawa