Tattooing with Chopstick and Fukui birds

I guess I should really divulge what the unbreakable appointment was on Saturday, because I know you are all having sleepless nights wondering, what in gods name is he doing now. I am in the process of procuring my fourth, and final, tattoo. I booked into Chopstick Tattoo with the artist known as Ton. He's a really nice guy and one helluva talented tattooist. His portfolio is amazing! I was then astounded to hear that a friend of LM's was told to get her tattoo in Chopstick, by a tattooist in Montreal(!), while she was in Osaka! I was well impressed. Well, I spent 4 and half hours lying on the bench and stage one was duly completed. It's just the outline so bear with me until it is done, which will be on March 4th. Fabulous.

Sunday was spent birding with Neil and an Aussie called James, who is presently residing in Kyoto. I met Neil at 1am in Kyoto and then picked up James and off we went, my leg bandaged and ready to rock. We visited two areas near the Fukui-Ishikawa border (about a 4 hour drive north of Kyoto) area; Sakai-cho, Fukui-shi for the goose flocks and the nearby coast in the hope of seeing seabirds as well as the Katano Kamoike area and it's neighbouring coast too. We arrived on the Fukui coast pre-dawn, grabbed a couple of hours sleep before getting out of the car and had an adult Glaucous-winged Gull fly by as light grew; our first interesting bird of the day. Then we headed inland to the goose-grounds and quickly found the Swan Goose amongst one of the larger parties of Greater White-fronts, though couldn't find the other rare geese present. After that we made or way into Ishikawa to visit Katano Kamoike, it's surrounding fields and nearby coastline before returning to Sakai-cho to see the goose numbers build up in late afternoon and finally located the Lesser White-fronted Geese and the Lesser Canada Goose. Then I went away and found another Lesser White-fronted goose because I'm a legend. An amazing day out with 74 species(!) seen, including 9 species of bird of prey. I saw 4 new species and 2 new species for Japan. Fantastic stuff. I got some photos...can anyone find the Lesser White-front Goose in the picture below?? It's a heavily cropped image but I only realized the Lesser White-front was there when I was looking at them this evening!!

The week that was was busy, a bit stressful at times when the Big K was losing his cool with other staff members but all in all I am enjoying it. I am feeling more confident with each day. I also received my copies of the article I got published in Wings! I am delighted with it. The layout was superb and the photos looked really well. I really would not mind getting more involved in this line of work. I get a good buzz from it and felt very proud to see the article in print. Long may it continue!

Next week there is a new person starting at work...another Éireannach!! Bring on the Irish, we'll take over Japan yet!! Apart from all that, not much else. Feeling in good form, tired (what's new I hear you all yell), could do with a holiday (ie sun, sea and surf) and a lot of sleep. It's now late and I should really be in bed. I hope this finds everyone well and in good spirits. Just to let everyone know, a buddy of mine back home, Billy O'Mahony, has opened up a new super Pet Store in Cork called Pet Essentials. You can check out the website for directions and a look at what they have in store. All sorts of foodstuffs, and whatnot that pets needs. Well worth checking out and I would like to wish Billy and Lisa the best of luck in their new venture. So PLEASE check it out and pay them a visit.

Carmo's diet: this week I've mostly been eating olives and getting fine needles dragged across my leg

Carmo's Birds: too many to mention, highlights include Black-throated Diver*, Pacific Diver, Long-billed Murrelet, EASTERN REEF EGRET, Blue Rock Thrush, Shelduck*, White-tailed Eagle, Japanese Sparrowhawk, SWAN GOOSE, LESSER-WHITE FRONTED GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, Glaucous-winged gull, Pelagic Cormorant.....206 species for Japan now I think.




Carmo's Birds for Byrdy: Mrs. Wright-Penn