Hello! This is Ootake Camera.
On June 7th, I headed out to the Crested Kingfisher field station once again. The session kicked off with an arrival from the right first thing in the morning, and the male quickly returned to perch at spot No. 3 — closer than ever, thanks to a repositioned blind.
When the male started calling out aggressively, I fired off a burst of shots — and caught a glimpse of a female slipping in behind him. A mid-incubation domestic dispute, perhaps? 😅 The pair then went for a bath together before heading off toward the nest burrow.
Then, slipping in quietly, came this female — a young bird, identifiable by her shorter crest and the faint rufous tinge mixed into the black on her neck. Most likely hatched last year. Let’s hope the territorial tensions stay calm during the incubation period!
■ Today’s Highlights
■ Today’s Shots
★★★ My work is featured as the opening gravure spread in BIRDER Magazine May 2026 ★★★
Published April 14, 2026 — available at bookstores and online.
Amazon Rakuten Books Fujisan (subscription)
★★★ My photograph was selected for the cover of BIRDER Magazine December 2025 ★★★
Published November 14, 2025 — available at bookstores and online.
| ◆ Current Guide Availability | Status | Meet Time | Departure |
| Crested Kingfisher | OPEN | 2:45 – 3:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Mountain Hawk-Eagle | OPEN | 6:15 – 6:25 AM | 6:30 AM |
| Ruddy Kingfisher | CLOSED |
※ Tours run in rain. A tent-style hide is used for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher sessions.