Category: ピックアップ

Hello! This is Ootake Camera.

Here is our Crested Kingfisher Field Report for August 22nd.

◎ Around 5:06 AM — Adult female arrives. An adult female flew in from the right and passed through.

◎ Around 5:35 AM — Adult female returns. This time she perched much further to the right than usual, then launched into a hunt! She caught not one but two Pale Chub in breeding coloration!! It was a bit dark and far away, but she treated us to a truly rare scene.

※ A first for us — an adult catching 2 fish at once, and 2 Pale Chub no less!!

◎ Around 7:17 AM — She returns again! Flew in to the far right once more and hunted another Pale Chub^^

· At Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field updates like this every day.

※ A note for our guests: The heat has been intense lately, and the inside of the hide can get very warm. Please prepare accordingly — a small fan, cooling wear, and frozen drinks are recommended.

Please also check our Crested Kingfisher Guide page and availability calendar.

■ Today’s Highlights

★★★ We were featured in the May 2026 issue of BIRDER magazine as the lead gravure spread ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026!

Hello! This is Ootake Camera.

We received additional photos from a guest who joined us on August 16th!

A wonderful combo shot of a Crested Kingfisher and a Common Kingfisher together^^

Opportunities like this come up every day, but because the two birds are so different in size, it’s rare for both to fit in the same frame — making this kind of shot a truly special moment!

What a wonderful capture^^ Thank you so much!

As these are photos taken by our valued guest, we have added only our guest gallery logo. Thank you for your understanding.

· At Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field updates like this every day.

※ A note for our guests: The heat has been intense lately, and the inside of the hide can get very warm. Please prepare accordingly — a small fan, cooling wear, and frozen drinks are recommended.

Please also check our Crested Kingfisher Guide page and availability calendar.

■ Photos by H.kenken

★★★ We were featured in the May 2026 issue of BIRDER magazine as the lead gravure spread ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine — May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or online here!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※ Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for use during Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher sessions.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera.

Here is the Crested Kingfisher Base Report for 8/16.

◎ Around 5:06 — Adult female arrives. The adult female came in from the right and passed straight through.

◎ Around 5:30 — Juvenile male arrives. About 30 minutes later, a juvenile male landed on branch #1. After bathing, he nearly perched on branch #3 — but made a U-turn and flew off to the left.

◎ Around 5:58 — Juvenile female makes her first-ever appearance! She arrived from the left, perched first on branch #3, then moved to #4, #1, and #2, settling all over the place. She even gave us an attempted hunt (unsuccessful), treating us to a wonderful variety of scenes. After that, a territorial dispute broke out between her and the adult female. The adult female lingered for a while but eventually tucked herself away in the shadows of the trees, so we waited for the right moment and headed home around 9:00. ^^

· At the Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field conditions like these every day.

※Notice for guests: We have been experiencing many hot days lately, and the inside of the hide can get quite warm. Please come prepared with a fan, a cooling vest, frozen drinks, or other measures to manage the heat.

Please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.

■ Highlights from This Day

★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or via the links below!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera.

Here is the Crested Kingfisher Base Report for 8/13.

◎ Around 5:30 — a juvenile male arrived at branch #2.

Lately the first arrivals of the day have been getting noticeably later, now coming in well after it’s light. And today the juvenile treated us to a hunting dive from branch #2! He even came up with two fish in his bill — he dropped one, but since it landed on the bank he picked it right back up and ate it. Thank you, young one, for such a wonderful time!!

· At the Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field conditions like these every day.

※Notice for guests: We have been experiencing many hot days lately, and the inside of the hide can get quite warm. Please come prepared with a fan, a cooling vest, frozen drinks, or other measures to manage the heat.

Please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.

■ Highlights from This Day

★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or via the links below!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera.

Here is the Crested Kingfisher Base Report for 8/8.

5:02 — an adult female arrived from the right, but then didn’t come back… (sweat). She finally returned just as we were packing up. ^^; Something must have happened out there… We can only hope she isn’t injured.

Come to think of it, the other birds were also rather scarce today… Common Kingfisher, Little Ringed Plover — all quiet.

· At the Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field conditions like these every day.

※Notice for guests: We have been experiencing many hot days lately, and the inside of the hide can get quite warm. Please come prepared with a fan, a cooling vest, frozen drinks, or other measures to manage the heat.

Please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.

■ Today’s Highlights

★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or via the links below!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera.

Here is our Crested Kingfisher Field Report for August 7th.

5:17 AM — A juvenile male arrived from the right.

With the perfect combination of backlight and morning mist, we were able to capture beautiful perching shots!

He stayed perched for about 30 minutes, treating us to a variety of scenes.

· At Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field updates like this every day.

· A note for our guests: The heat has been intense lately, and the inside of the hide can get very warm. Please prepare accordingly — a small fan, cooling wear, and frozen drinks are recommended.

Please also check our Crested Kingfisher Guide page and availability calendar.

■ Today’s Highlights

★★★ We were featured in the May 2026 issue of BIRDER magazine as the lead gravure spread ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine — May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or online here!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※ Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for use during Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher sessions.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera. 7/12 — we hadn’t yet posted a Crested Kingfisher Shooting Base Report for this day, so here it is as an additional report.

Both adult male and female Crested Kingfishers arrived

Arrivals were considerably later than usual this day — the first came in at 5:52. On the plus side, it was already bright by then, making for easier shooting conditions! The male arrived first, followed by the female, who then treated us to a great many shutter opportunities.

At the Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field conditions like these every day.

Please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.

■ Highlights from This Day　

★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or via the links below!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera. Here is our Crested Kingfisher Field Report for July 9th.

4:12 AM — First Crested Kingfisher arrival of the day

Just like always, the bird arrived right on schedule.

Almost exactly on time. Knowing we need to finish setting up on location before this, our departure time keeps getting earlier and earlier.

It can’t be helped at this time of year^^;

The mornings are very early, but it’s a great season — let’s try getting up a little earlier!

After that, the female returned and made 3 hunting dives.

On the last dive, she just barely caught the fish (right by the tail), so she hovered while holding it in her bill and flew upward — then landed on the ground rather than a branch and started beating the fish against it.

Chick-rearing season is at its peak!

The Crested Kingfisher is visiting more frequently, making this the season with the most opportunities for observation and photography.

At Aizu Secret Base, we share real-time field updates like this every day.

Please also check our Crested Kingfisher Guide page and availability calendar.

■ Today’s Highlights

★★★ We were featured in the May 2026 issue of BIRDER magazine as the lead gravure spread ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine — May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or online here!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※ Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for use during Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher sessions.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera. Here is the Crested Kingfisher Shooting Base Report for 7/8.

4:38 AM — First arrival of the day

Arrivals came in at the usual time today — perhaps just a touch on the late side.

For some reason the male didn’t show up today, but the female treated us to three hunting dives from branch #1 — and even caught a nuptial-colored Japanese Rosy Bitterling!

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.

Please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.

■ Today’s Highlights　

★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or via the links below!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.

Hello! This is Ootake Camera. Here is the Crested Kingfisher Shooting Base Report for 7/7 (Additional).

4:11 AM — First arrival of the day

Right on schedule again — arrivals came in at the usual time today.

Today the birds kept glancing up at the sky and never quite got around to hunting. Probably because a recently fledged Black Kite was calling loudly nearby….

The Crested Kingfisher fledglings should be making their first appearances at the base before long — we’re looking forward to it with great excitement! ^^

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.

Please also visit our Yamasemi Guide Page and Availability Calendar.

■ Today’s Highlights　

★★★ We were featured in the opening gravure of BIRDER Magazine May 2026 issue ★★★

On sale April 14, 2026! Available at bookstores and online.

BIRDER Magazine May 2026 Issue

Amazon　Rakuten Books　FUJISAN (Subscription)

★★★ Our photo was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 issue ★★★

On sale Friday, November 14, 2025!
Available at bookstores or via the links below!

Amazon　Rakuten Books

※Sessions are held rain or shine. A tent-style hide is planned for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher tours.