Snowy Niseko landscape

where the whole world seemed to come to ski and board

did I mention that the snow was heavy?

that much snow fell on the branch last night alone…

possibly the largest snowflakes in the world..

The hot springs were interesting

with steam rising…

the temple was set in a lovely snowy landscape

winter berries which provide some sustenance for the birdlife

winter berries

spectacular snowy scapes

the icicles were crystal like and perfectly formed

But back at our apartment in Setsugetsu, Hirafu, we were fortunate to have some trees outside our window…

and these few trees provided me mnuch birding entertainment over the week we were here…

By far the commonest bird seen was the thickbilled crow which would dip its beak into the snow for moisture…

Eurasian sparrows were also plentiful

this little Eurasian nuthatch was very active

Eurasian Nuthatch

and then it became a bit of a tit fest! Here the Eastern Great tit or Japanese Tit perched and showed its prominent ventral vertical black stripe

Here, the Japanese Tit showing its greenish back but without the yellow ventral coloration of the Greenbacked tit

Coal tit with its little crest

Coal tit

Willow tit

Long tailed tit

long tailed tit

white wagtail

Brown eared bulbul was a pleasant surprise!

Brown eared bulbul

niseko winterscape