Hello! This is Ootake Camera. Here is the Crested Kingfisher Shooting Base Report for 7/3.
This day was the first of a two-day Crested Kingfisher photography session organized by OM System.
We headed to Wakamatsu a little earlier than usual to pick up our guests, got everything sorted, and made our way to the site. Hoping the birds would show up as always, we slipped into the blind — and waited with some nervous anticipation, as the recent rains had raised the water level considerably.
4:27 AM — First arrival of the day
With rain again this morning, arrivals were slightly delayed, but around 4:30 a bird came in and landed on branch #3 — and the shoot was underway.
There were plenty of shooting opportunities from early on, and at branch #3 the bird showed up holding an impressively large nuptial-colored Japanese Rosy Bitterling!
After that there was a quiet spell of about three hours, then the birds returned and treated us to another enjoyable stretch of action. ^^
Today the birds used branches #3, #5, and Zero.
The chick-rearing season has reached its peak!
Arrival frequency is on the rise — this is the season with the most opportunities for observation and photography. At the Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field conditions like these every day.
If you are interested in photographing Crested Kingfishers, please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.
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■ Today’s Highlights 
★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★
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BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue
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★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★
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Available at bookstores or via the links below!
| ◆ Current Guide Availability | Status | Meeting Time | Departure Time |
| Crested Kingfisher | Accepting Reservations |
2:45–3:00 |
3:00 |
| Mountain Hawk-Eagle | Accepting Reservations | 6:15–6:25 | 6:30 |
| Ruddy Kingfisher | Closed |
※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.