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Saturday, June 18, 2016

Second quarter of the year 2016

Apr 8
On some moonless nights, I would bring my 800mm lens to a park near my place to see what 800mm with 1.4 teleconvertor can do. The first try yielded some surprising images. Jupiter with its 4 moons were visible in the view finder. Normally I only think of Jupiter as a dot, not a dot with lines and 4 smaller dots!
Jupiter


Apr 10
Merlin
The pair of Merlins at Queen Elizabeth park is definitely establishing their territory, occasionally chasing and being chased by crows. I'm not sure how many song birds are in their favorite trees in other years, but this year there are not many if any.
One bird appear to be almost black, which seems to be the male, the other a bit more brownish.
The darker bird.
Merlin
The lighter bird received a prey from its mate.
Merlin
looks like a Chipping Sparrow which I have never seen in the park.
Merlin

Jun 4
Picture of Saturn didn't turn out as well, but this is my first time seeing Saturn so its the best view I've had so far.
Saturn

Jun 5
QE park
The heat on the June days is a bit discouraging, but this provided an opportunity to see a napping merlin. 
Merlin

Merlin

Jun 12
The weather pattern turned cold and wet again in the middle of June. The good part is that all of the birds sing right after the rain stops, and make finding Swainson's Thrush in Lynn Canyon much easier than looking for silent birds.
Swainson's Thrush
Swainson's Thrush





Spring Break in Taiwan, additional photos

Besides birds, I also had some opportunities to see many plants and some insects. This post will have few descriptions with my best efforts identifying them.
Most names were found on the Plants of TAIWAN website


Viola nagasawai sp.



Sanicula lamelligera Hance





Paris polyphylla

Drosera spathulata
this carnivorous plant is only about one centimeter wide, but still deadly for some small insects
there are some digested food on the leaves.


Not sure which species of leech this is. Found it in Fuyang eco park in Taipei city.

Variegated Flutterer
Rhyothemis Variegata


Formosan Macaque
the only primate other than humans
seen on the Dasyueshan IBA trip