一家団欒 family moments

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© 茨原 孝貞（Takami Ibara）
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83 thoughts on “一家団欒 family moments”

  2. Very cute photos of the family of birds. They look like a tight-knit clan. Really like the second shot – the little ones look very happy to see the bigger one 😍 Hope you are doing well this summer, Takami. Best wishes to you and your family 😊

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    • Thank you Mabel. They did indeed seem like a very tight-knit family. What I love about the Little Grebes (in Japanese we call them “kaitsuburi”) is that both parents take care of the chicks until they are grown. Wishing you a safe and happy summer/winter too my friend 🙂

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  4. Hello dearest Takami,
    What a treat to see such a tender moment. Something I needed very much to be reminded of. Your photographic eye continues to delight my senses and keeps returning me to the arms of nature. Thank you.

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    • Hello dear Atreyee,
      Thank you so very much for your comment. I am delighted and honored if my photographs allow a moment to “return to nature” and enjoy a peaceful moment despite everything that is happening in our world. I was able to capture this moment on an unplanned and unexpected birding trip, so it was some much-needed “nature therapy” for me too… 🙂

      By the way, I continue to enjoy and comment on your wonderful blog posts, but unfortunately, the WP system may be redirecting my comments as “spam.” I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your work!

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  7. Wow, beautiful series of photos, Takami. The first shot, with the baby cuddled up behind/under the Mom’s wing is precious ~ deserving of framing 🙂 The eyes are mesmerizing and a great glimpse of love and family in nature. Your second shot is special as well, showing such a perfect interaction within the family, but the first one is simply so peacefully beautiful 🙂

    I hope you are able to cool off a bit ~ the spring season for me seem to extend up today, as the temperatures have now risen but still a comfortable 28 with sunshine. Wishing you well ~ and enjoy your summer!

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    • Hello Randall,
      As always, thanks so much for taking a moment to spend a moment with our local birds and for your thoughtful and kind comments.

      You nailed it on the head – this Little Grebe family especially, I felt a real sense of love and tenderness. I may simply be projecting my “human emotions” on to these birds, but it really seemed that way. Therefore, your comment on the first photo made my day – I am glad the moment was conveyed in the shot. I love how the chicks cuddle up to their parents – childhood in its purest form 😉

      We have been hit with a heat wave here (high 30’s and over 40C in other areas of the country💦), but staying thankful for good health and modern comforts such as air conditioning 🙂 It’s great to hear that your Spring season continues to bring lovely weather even in summer.

      Hope you and all your dear ones continue to stay safe and well. As always, look forward to your beautiful images and writing 🙂

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      • It is something when we, as humans, see tenderness and connection in the wild as it brings us all a bit closer together with nature 🙂 The weather must be tough to deal with… this year has been very mild for me in Czech and Seattle with temps in the 20s. Today was our first day at 32 but tomorrow is back down to 19 which is a bit crazy. Glad you are all well and hopefully can venture out and capture more stunning shots like only you can. Take care 🙂

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        • Thank you my friend. Your kind words are much appreciated. Honestly, it has been challenging to stay motivated, but comments like this are so encouraging. It is a real honor if some of my photos can brighten someone’s day.

          Stay safe and cool!

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    • Thank you for this thoughtful comment! You are absolutely right, there is a special twinkle in the eyes of young ones and their eagerness towards the world, regardless of species. I too, try to learn from their example and hold onto some eagerness, despite everything that is going on in this world…

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    • Hello my friend,
      Thanks so much for your visit and comment. (I just finished leaving a comment on the latest article of your lovely blog!)

      Perhaps it is due to ongoing global warming, but our Spring has suddenly jumped into Summer, and we are being hit with a heat wave… I was very lucky to have the opportunity for an unexpected birdwatching trip where I came upon this charming Little Grebe family. I really did hope to capture some intimate moments between the parents and chicks, so reading your comment made my day 🙂

      I hope it is not too hot/humid in your lovely home and will look forward to your latest article 😀

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      • I’m glad about your unexpected birdwatching trip, Takami. Little gifts like that always lift my heart. Talking about heat waves . . . we’ve also had one the second week of June . . . it was blisteringly hot, and such a shock to the system, so I empathise with you. Hope there are cooler weather on its way for you, and that these aren’t pointing to an extra hot summer. Stay cool my friend. 💦

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    • Thank you VK!
      It was a delight to see the Little Grebes raising families again this year.
      As you say, the baby birds were so precious and a sight to behold.
      I did hope to capture the feeling of “family” and am so happy you felt this feeling too.
      Hope you are doing well,
      Takami

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    • Thank you Noelle!
      I was delighted to see the Little Grebes raising families again this year.
      They truly were a delight to observe, and as you noticed so keenly, the babies were quite a handful to their parents 🙂
      Your warm comments are always appreciated, and we hope all is well with you and your family.

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    • Thank you Mr. P!
      It was a delight to see our local “dabchicks” raising families again this year.
      As you say, they look so content with life, going about their day, despite the ongoing challenges in our (human) world.
      They provide moments of perspective too, and always give a warm feeling of hope for me.
      We are doing well, and staying healthy. All our best to you and Mrs P, and I hope Milky Bar is doing well too.

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      • Today is hot and steamy and I’ve just seen Milky Bar in the garden, hidden deep beneath some bushes. He’s impossible to see unless you actively search for him, but I know he likes lying there in hot weather because the spot is totally sheltered from the sun. I pulled back some branches and leaves just in case he was paying us a visit, and there he was looking up at me sleepily. He asked me to say “konnichiwa” to his special admirer across the ocean 😺.

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    • Thank you Mr. D!
      These “Little Grebe” birds are a local bird in Japan, and as you noticed, they show beautiful feathers during the spring and summer months. The chicks are adorable and grow so quickly too.
      I sincerely hope you will take some photos of the sparrow family – I am sure you will make fine pictures 🙂

      All our best to you and your dear ones,
      Takami

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      • Takami, I will keep trying! They are a skittish bunch of birds..I took the screen off our window in order to get a better picture the other day. What I really wanted to get is a 15 second video clip with them vibrating their wings 🙂 then post it on my youtube channel.

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  19. Dear Takami,
    It’s the time for bird babies, isn’t it? That you were able to (once again) find and photograph grebe babies is wonderful. Thank you for sharing those happy family moments.
    I hope you and your family are happy as well.
    Warm wishes,
    Tanja

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    • Dear Tanja,
      Thank you so much, my friend, for your warm comment.
      I was overjoyed to discover the Little Grebes raising families again this spring and summer.
      Seeing them go about their business gave me a warm feeling and some moments of hope & happiness – despite the ongoing challenges in the (human) world.
      We are managing to stay well and healthy, and sincerely hope the same for you and all your dear ones.
      All my best always,
      Takami

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  20. Gorgeous captures Takami, especially your first photo, it is priceless. The Grebes are such a beautiful family to follow, and so colorful in their breeding plumage, such a blessing to look into their family life.

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    • Good morning Ash! It is a real joy to read your comment today. As you say, the Little Grebes are a joy to follow, and I was blessed with some wonderful moments during this unexpected birding trip whip I hope to share in more detail with you soon.

      Alas, my comments on your lovely blog articles still seem to “disappear” somewhere. I have noticed that some comments on my blog (even those from friends who have been commenting for years) are being marked as spam by the WordPress system, and don’t receive any email notifications. I only “discovered” this while checking spam within the WordPress dashboard…

      We continue to keep you and your wife in our daily thoughts and prayers and look forward to sending an update mail soon. May you have a blessed week ahead!

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    • Thank you so much Carol.
      Seeing the Little Grebes raising families again this summer gave me hope – despite the ongoing challenges in the human world. I hope you and all your dear ones are staying well.

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      • あなたが楽しんだことを読んでうれしく思います。日本のどこにいるのか教えてください。私はGoogle翻訳を使っています。スイスからの大きな挨拶。
        クォーク

        Reply ↓

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