Showing posts with label ice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ice. Show all posts

2016-03-21

Japan 160131 Tsurui - Kawayu

Japan 160122-160204
Bird Photography trip

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© NF Photos 160131

The first day of our trip when we did not wake up in the middle of the night.
Our departure from the hotel was scheduled at 8.30. So I had a little time to take a look at the street outside the hotel in Tsurui. The interesting thing I had seen was that there was steam coming out from the sides of the street. So I think there was hot spring water flowing under the side of the street.

The breakfast was very tasty and I liked it a lot. We were also given a gift in form of calendars for this year from the hotel. There was two very beautiful calendars in the roll and they featured the Red-crowned cranes of course   :)


Today we are going north but first we made a stop at the Crane center in Tsurui to get some last morning images of the cranes. A man was preparing breakfast for the cranes but none was there. They were still at the river. But instead I spotted a Coal Tit. you can see it HERE





So we headed north to find our first target. An Ural owl (slaguggla)  that was sitting in a tree. An easy find if you know it is there. But, that is the reason why you have a local guide. We had to walk about 200 m in the snow to find it sitting in a hole in a tree.






After lunch at a restaurant with Japanese version  of pizza, we made a stop at Lake Mashu. Which was a volcano lake. It was very beautiful and had a gorgeous surrounding with snowy trees and mountains. In the sun it was almost too beautiful.



Our last stop for the day was Lake Kussharo where we were looking for mute swans in the mist from hot streams. A well known lake for that kind of shots. But I was a bit disappointed. The misty areas was very small with a rather small area of open water. But I soon realized that the images tricks you to think it is bigger. Nevertheless it was a nice place for photography. Two different locations with the surrounding mountains. 
A beautiful light in the low sun

Dancing Queens

The second place, with a center, had very strange icy features. And there the swans started to dance. Did look hilarious as they had to dance on those sharp icy edges. 
We did also see a male Falcated duck (praktand).





Night in a hotel in Kawayu. We had a party like dinner. Very nice. Even if I think the Japanese kitchen use too little spice. We met in a separate room dressed in the common clothing that was provided in every room we had so far on the trip. Coming back to the room after dinner my bed was set on the floor.

It´s a bit tricky sitting on the floor eating and working. Not used to it anymore.

Tomorrow we move again.

Whooper swans and ducks on Lake Kussharo


Japan on NF Photo  NF Birds around the world   

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31/1: Morgonen vid Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary. Transport norrut genom Akan National Park,

med stopp vid Lake Mashu. Kvällen vid Lake Kussharo (sångsvanarna). Natt i Kawayu.

Efter ett kort inledande besök vid trancentrat i Tsurui körde vi vidare norrut. Först stoppet blev för foto av en fin slaguggla på dagkvist. Vi fortsatte norrut längs vackra Akan National Park i ett härligt vinterväder, med en värmande sol, blå himmel och gnistrande snö. Längs vägen sågs flera jättehavsörnar samt japanska sikahjortar.

Efter lunch stannade vi vid
 Lake Mashu för landskapsfotografering. Ett vackert landskap bredde ut sig framför oss, med vulkansjön och omkringliggande berg. Dagen avslutades med sångsvansfotografering i Lake Kussharo. Sjön måste vara ett av världens bästa ställe att fotografera sångsvan på! Svanarna ligger i små isvakar på sjön, där varmt vatten sipprar ut så det ryker i kylan och bildar dimridåer runt svanarna. Detta magiska scenario och med en vacker bakgrund med snöklädda berg, gav väldigt vackra bilder i det fina kvällsljuset! Där fanns även praktand och Crested Kingfisher.
 

2014-06-09

2014-05-28 To Iceland

ISLAND 2014-05-28--06-04
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© NF Photos 140528

140528 Wednesday
Woke up at 6, Finished packing and blogging before I left at 8.
There was not that much traffic problems as I had feared so the drive was rather easy. Except for Stockholm of course. There is always traffic jam due to building new roads, buildings and what ever they build. In winter there is trouble due to snow and ice. In summer the problem is road work.
The drive took 3h so I had rather plenty of time arriving at Arlanda parking lot. Took the bus from the parking lot and was checked in at 11.30.
I spent the next two h window shopping at the taxfree and other shops.
The plane headed out more or less due to plan. Only a few minutes late. I was in the last row of seats and had a window seat. That was a great thing when we passed over Norway. Snow still on the mountaintops creating beautiful patterns when they were visible through the clouds.
Over the Atlantic there was mostly white clouds. They did not lift until we were halfway over Iceland with only 45 min to landing. I could see rather much snow throw the clouds.


 

We landed nicely at the airport 14,30 local time. 2h difference in time. Flying in that direction give you very long days.  

I got my bag and found my party. And off we went to The Blue Lagoon. First thing to do when arriving in Iceland…getting a swim in the Blue Lagoon. It is a great place, warm and cosy and I think everyone should have the opportunity to try it. More images HERE


At 18.15 we left to go to our hotel for the night in Reykjavik. I went to a local supermarket to get some soda to drink and something to eat. Then I went out to find a dam I´ve seen close to the hotel. Found it and there were quite many birds. Mostly mallards and gulls and a few other ducks as well.



Outside the hotel was an other kind of entertainment going on. Some kids skating in the square.
Been checking the blogs and was surprised because there was more comments then expected. And letting people know I´m OK.



It is only 22.20 but I am tired as my body says it it 0.20h. So, now I´m off to bed.

 I want to finish this post with an image of a couple trying to get a wedding photo on the lagoon outside the Blue Lagoon. Did not seem to be that easy and the bride seemed to be very cold. Borrowing a jacket for a while. And it was very chilly. They seem to be located in another world with rugged surroundings.

Island/Iceland on NF Photo   NF Bird  NF World