Kyoto (in the city)
The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly Kyoto. Our first day in Kyoto was actually the second half of the same day that we went to Nagoya, but, knowing that the weather was perfect and it would deteriorate the next day, we packed a lot of actions in this one day.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
Our first stop was at the iconic Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社), the sacred Shinto shrine. The brilliantly colored front gate was just outside the J.R. (Japanese Railway) station and immediately caught our eyes.
There are thousands of Torii Gates dedicated to the Shinto deities. It was a challenge, however, to get pictures without many tourists in them.
There are also small Torii Gates bought and dedicated by less wealthy worshippers.
While hiking through the gates to the top of the mountain, I already got two new birds -- a couple of tits in fact: a Long-tailed Tit and a Varied Tit.
In the same area, I got four new birds. The most brilliant are the Oriental Greenfinches.
A Pale Thrush and a Japanese Wagtail were foraging near a creek, giving me an opportunity to get some pictures.
Our next stop was at the Imperial Palace. The following is a picture of the Kenreimon (建礼門), I believe.
This was near sunset, birds were active. The most astonishing was a hovering Black-eared Kite; interestingly, this was the first (and only, so far) raptor I saw in Japan, yet it was not a new bird for me -- I had seen it in India 10 years ago.
I saw Dusky Thrushes for the second time on the day (the first time being in Nagoya).
Another new bird was the Brambling.
A couple of better shots of another Long-tailed Tit.
We ended the day at Nishiki Market (錦市場), what a day! We were exhausted, but happy.
Front gate of Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社)
Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社)
Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社)
Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社)
Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社)
Small Torii Gates
Small Torii Gates
Small Torii Gates
Long-tailed Tit
Varied Tit
Oriental Greenfinch
Oriental Greenfinch
Pale Thrush
Japanese Wagtail
Imperial Garden
Black-eared Kite
Dusky Thrush
Dusky Thrush
Brambling (male)
Brambling (female)
Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Noodle Shop
Nishiki Market