Monday, 13th April, 6.30 to 9am
Shanghai, Ruijin Guest House
The Ruijin Guest House in the old French quarter of central Shanghai is a wonderful place for an early morning stroll - assuming you can persuade the security guards that you have a good reason to be there.
Taking photos of Chinese Blackbirds and White's Thrushes is perhaps not high on their list of acceptable reasons - particularly when they are expecting a delegation of high-ranking government officials.
But after I showed the guard one of the photos of the Chinese Blackbird I had just taken, he just shook his head and, convinced of my insanity (after all who in their right mind gets up at 6.30 in the morning to take photos of birds?), he left me be.
The 10 or so Chinese Blackbirds (259) showed very well indeed. Anyone who thinks that this is not a valid species, should have a look at the photos. As well as the more-muscular frame, bigger bill, and distinct eye make-up, the song is very different to its European cousin.
The White's Thrushes (260) were also a delight. At one point there were three of them feeding within 30 yards of each other on the lawn. I managed to get a photo of 2 in the same picture, but all 3 would have been a job for a wider lens.
I watched them for about half an hour using the knee-trembling technique straight out of the worm-hunters manual (chapter 7). The rapid stamping on the earth presumably brought the worms to the surface where they were quickly added to the fuel supply for their long trips to Siberia.
Shanghai, Ruijin Guest House
The Ruijin Guest House in the old French quarter of central Shanghai is a wonderful place for an early morning stroll - assuming you can persuade the security guards that you have a good reason to be there.
Taking photos of Chinese Blackbirds and White's Thrushes is perhaps not high on their list of acceptable reasons - particularly when they are expecting a delegation of high-ranking government officials.
But after I showed the guard one of the photos of the Chinese Blackbird I had just taken, he just shook his head and, convinced of my insanity (after all who in their right mind gets up at 6.30 in the morning to take photos of birds?), he left me be.
The 10 or so Chinese Blackbirds (259) showed very well indeed. Anyone who thinks that this is not a valid species, should have a look at the photos. As well as the more-muscular frame, bigger bill, and distinct eye make-up, the song is very different to its European cousin.
The White's Thrushes (260) were also a delight. At one point there were three of them feeding within 30 yards of each other on the lawn. I managed to get a photo of 2 in the same picture, but all 3 would have been a job for a wider lens.
I watched them for about half an hour using the knee-trembling technique straight out of the worm-hunters manual (chapter 7). The rapid stamping on the earth presumably brought the worms to the surface where they were quickly added to the fuel supply for their long trips to Siberia.
Attachments
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Chinese Blackbird, Shanghai, 13th April.jpg121 KB · Views: 90
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Chinese Blackbird 2, Shanghai, 13th April.jpg121.1 KB · Views: 77
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Chinese Blackbird 3, Shanghai, 13th April.jpg151.6 KB · Views: 86
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White's Thrush, Shanghai, 13th April.jpg135.8 KB · Views: 88
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White's Thrush 2, Shanghai, 13th April.jpg165.6 KB · Views: 75
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