Nagoya

Nagoya was our first stop in Japan; a brief one too -- we arrived late on Monday and left early on Tuesday to go to Kyoto. We managed to make a very brief stop at Nagoya Castle (did not even go into it). But even this brief stop gave us much delight.

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)

Just as I exited the subway station, I saw my first new bird of Japan on this trip -- a Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker!


Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Cherry blossom is at its absolute peak in Nagoya at this moment. The Sakura cherry trees lined up the walls of the castle, cascading down a profusion of flowers.


Nagoya Castle


Nagoya Castle


Nagoya Castle


Nagoya Castle


Nagoya Castle


Nagoya Castle

A couple of close-ups of cherry flowers.


Cherry Flower


Cherry Flowers

In the cherry trees, I spotted my second new bird of Japan -- Brown-eared Bulbuls. These noisy birds are apparently very fond of the nectar and pollens of the flowers and were darting ecstatically among the branches.


Brown-eared Bulbul


Brown-eared Bulbul

On the ground I saw a few other foraging birds, all were new to me. Thus, in less than an hour, I "bagged" 5 new birds.


Japanese Tit


Dusky Thrush


Oriental Turtle Dove

There was a Great Cormorant in the watered part of the moat, not a new bird for me, but still a delightful catch.


Great Cormorant

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