The Unnamed Caterpillar Got Identified Today

No Sense Rushing Things

The first and only time, I ever ran across a white caterpillar, like this was April of 2015.

Doc Graff and I were on a mission, to find and photograph the endangered Ryukyu Robin.

April is the best month to find them, close to the ground, feeding their youngsters.

We, didn't run up the trail because, we're a bit too mature, to act like teenagers.

We huff and puff and meander up the mountain and, enjoy the fresh air.

Taking your time, gives a better view of nature. We're very observant.

Doc, had gone ahead, to get closer to the waterfall when, I spotted this.

Climbing the trail, there's spots where, cellular service no longer exists.

It's like being in the wilderness which, I kind of enjoy. I was catching my breath.

Standing on this wooden platform, smoking a cigarette is what, I was really doing.

Whoa.  It's like some little bottle brush, started coming towards me.

Forget smoking. Put the butts in yer pocket and, get down to shooting !

 

It's a good idea, to get photos from as many angles as possible.

You'd never know, this guy has red feet if, you didn't get down real close to him.

All along, I'm wondering, what kind of butterfly this creature would turn out to be.

In my pending photo files, there are hundreds of items, waiting for identification.

Yesterday, I sent these photos, to a couple of sites for help.

The Moth and Butterfly Identification Forum, on Facebook, came through today.

Chrysaeglia magnifica, was suggested by a gal named Lisa.

After checking several websites (with images) I think, I've narrowed it down.

This one, will be named Chrysaeglia magnifica taiwana, for the time being.

In no particular order except, the way the research got done, here's links:

Japan Moth Org

Larva at Japan Moth Org

Wikiwand

Gagabiodiversity

Scientific Name: Chrysaeglia magnifica taiwana

English Name: It doesn't have one, yet

Japanese Name:  (Rurimon hosoka) ルリモンホソバ 

Mission Completed

A hike all the way to to top of the trail, wouldn't have been complete, without photos.

We went, hunting for the Ryukyu Robin but, didn't see any along the way.

The falls and some white caterpillar, would be the only memories from that trip.

Coming back down the trail, I spotted someone, down by the river.

A nature guide and a woman, with a camera and a humongous lens, were in there.

She was shooting the birds, we had come all this way to capture.

See: Hiji Waterfall a Most Refreshing Climb for more.

Ryukyu Robin or Akahige (アカヒゲ) Animated GIF

A series of five images were combined to make this GIF.

This bird had its mouth full of what appeared to be worms and spiders.

It was located about halfway up the trail leading to Hiji waterfall.

Now is the time of year these birds stay close to the nests.

They are guarding the little ones and,  gathering grub to feed them. 

For the serious birding audience, I found an interesting link.

It's at Japan Bird Research Association.

The Ryukyu Robin is called Erithacus komadori by many scientists.

Japan's researchers call it Luscinia komadori.

As if the world doesn't already have enough problems now, we have this rare bird.

The scientific community can resolve this without going to war, I hope.

Just keep calling it Akahige, is what I plan on doing.

RESOURCES

 

 

ARKive

Birdlife International

Bird Research News Vol.9 No.1 Bird Research Japan

 The Internet Bird Collection

Wildlife of Okinawa 

YouTube 

Hiji Waterfall (比地大滝) A Most Refreshing Climb

Nature Lovers Don't Pass This One Up

 

 

The plan today was to photograph some birds at the falls.

There are hundreds of steps going up and down along the trail leading to the waterfall.

They say it's about an hour and a half hike, round trip.

It's probably best to do this before you turn 60 or, you will feel the burn in your legs.

The complete tour take me about three hours.

Remember, I'm a cameraman and, looking for rare birds to shoot.

So, I move more slowly than most people.

Inhaling the scents of the forest and listening to the roar of the stream, I climb slowly.

Waterfalls are always relaxing and invigorating at the same time.

Somehow, it makes you feel like air-conditioning never needed to be invented.

Several different compositions of this scene were photographed.

Up to this point, not one bird was ever seen. Not a good day.

This caterpillar was starting to look like the only wildlife subject, I'd see today.

Being out in the woods, soaking up some nature was fun.

But, I wanted to go home with some bird photos not, caterpillars and waterfalls.

Halfway back down the trail, my dreams came true.

Here's a Ryukyu Robin, the bird that just made my day.

More about this species at Avibase

Trip Advisor:Hiji Waterfall in Kunigami Okinawa Japan 

Google Maps 

Wildlife Photo: Ryukyu Robin a Bird Found Only in Okinawa

This is an adult male Ryukyu Robin (Erithacus komadori), a bird found only in Okinawa. Locally, they are called Akahige (Red+beard). BirdLife International lists this species as endangered and this photo was published by BIRDFORUM and ORIENTAL BIRD CLUB IMAGES, not because of any technical excellence but, more for helping identify a rare breed of wildlife.