October 26, 2016 It was a beautiful fall morning as I was walking around Tempai Dam Lake. Suddenly, this beautiful bird flew up from the edge of the lake and landed on the fence, 30 meters away. I knew what it was right away, though I could hardly believe my eyes. The crested kingfisher is a bird I have always dreamed of seeing since living in Japan. They are considered uncommon in Japan, according to my Birds of Japan field guide. I was planning to go in search of one next spring around Kirishima Mountain. Their body length is around 41cm./14 in. so they are quite large and imposing. The kingfisher remained on the fence for about a minute, and then flew away over the dam wall and down into the valley. I went down in hopes of spotting it again, but it had vanished as birds are wont to do.
MOSTLY BIRDS 
Such an unusual looking bird! Thanks for the pics – very nice!
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