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|Land of the Ice Birds, Winter in Japan.
|Written by Jos
Under the spell of winter, ice pack crashing into rocky headlands, Harlequins bobbing on turbulent waters to stunning backdrops of snow and ice, this was winter birding at its best - Steller's Sea Eagles, dancing Red-crowned Cranes, umpteen auks and auklets ...Hokkadio, northern Japan, the land of the ice birds!
Also incorporating the southern island of Kyushu and a 17-hour pelagic trip on the Pacific, this ten-day mini trip far exceeded my expectations ...from ice blocks to palm trees, it was fantastic throughout, with other highlights including the vast flocks of Hooded Cranes at Arasaki, Black-faced Spoonbills on a couple of estuaries and two unexpected Brown Boobies.
5 March.
The inevitable day of long-haul flights. A light dusting of snow as I left Lithuania just before midday, much the same in Helsinki an hour later, two Common Ravens the only birds seen. Next up, an early evening departure for the 10 hour non-stop flight to Japan. And so the trip was underway!
6 March. Tokyo - Oarai.
The plan for this day was simple - arrive in Tokyo, take the train to Oarai on the east coast of Honshu and then wait for the 17 hour ferry boat that would take me through the rich Pacific waters to Hokkaido.
With the time differences, it was after 10 a.m. when we landed in Tokyo and nearer to midday when I found myself on the train platform, ticket in hand. Two squawking Long-billed Crows the the first birds in Japan, Rock Dove coming a close second! To get to Oarai from Narita Airport there are none of these legendary Japanese bullet trains, but rather slow rattling local trains, trundling through lands of paddies and small towns.
So, settling back on the heated seat, my first chances to see Japan and a few birds ... not too bad a selection from the windows, one Black-eared Kite amongst the haul, so too several Oriental Turtle Doves, a couple of White-eared Starlings and a selection of more familiar birds such as Little Grebe, Little Egret and Green Sandpiper.
Oarai is a small provincial town and the massive MOL ferry was visible even as I stepped off the train, a port tower also rising above the town. With ubiquitous Tree Sparrows dotting the ten-minute walk, soon I was at the port, sorting out my ticket and dumping my bag behind the cashier for safe keeping, and then it was time for the birding to begin! With only three hours or so of light left to play, I decided upon a quick investigation of the fishing port to the immediate north and then a stroll towards a rivermouth about a couple of kilometres further, which I never actually got to. For my first encounter with Japanese gulls, the port was fun – lines of larids along the breakwaters, odd flocks drifting on the water or lounging nearer. Nothing too challenging for starters – Black-tailed Gulls in the main, but scattered amongst them plenty of Vega Gulls and smaller numbers of Slaty-backed Gulls. Also a few dozen Greater Scaup in the harbour, a couple of Black-necked Grebes and several Great Cormorants. Chosi Harbour, about 90 km further south, had been attracting up to ten species of gulls over the previous weeks, but my scans failed to produce any additionals.
I began to wander north, finding almost immediately a splendid Dusky Thrush feeding on the beach! Nice, I certainly didn't expect one of those on a pebble beach! It was later to turn out that Dusky Thrush is actually the default thrush, with good numbers seen across the country. Beyond, flocks of gulls seemed to be massing around the rivermouth. However, it was now late afternoon, the sun was definitely waning, a chill wind was cutting in from the cold grey sea and my enthusiasm was not exactly screaming for a drudge along the beach. Instead, encountering a small wooded hill, I decided to use the last hour of the day away from the sea …quite a good move, the hillside was actually a mosaic of pine, deciduous woodland and open scrub and a good little selection of birds so followed – three Black-faced Buntings in small bushes, one nice Brown-throated Thrush in the deciduous stuff and two more Dusky Thrushes in the pines. Japanese Tit, Oriental Turtle Dove and a Black-eared Kite also seen.
And with that, as dusk fell, I turned and returned to the port. The ferry was scheduled to depart only at 01.45 a.m., but a warm waiting room gave good cover for writing my notes and, very considerate of the ferry company, you are permitted to board from 10 pm. Straight into my cabin I went, much anticipation what daylight would bring!
7 March. Oarai-Tomakomai Ferry
So it was, I woke a little before 7.00 a.m., we were steaming past the adjacent rocks and islands off Oshika Peninsula and the sun was streaming through my cabin window. On deck, blue skies all around and almost within seconds of stepping out, a pair of White-billed Divers flew down the part side of the boat and round the rear! Wow, what a start! Despite this dramatic start however, the first hour was actually very quiet – milling around the islands, a couple of Slaty-backed Gulls and hundreds of Black-tailed Gulls, precious little else. Just before 8.00 a.m., six small auks came zooming by, smart white eyebrows marking them out as Ancient Murrelets, then a little later the first Common Guillemots of the day. A pod of Pacific White-sided Dolphins cutting wave tops, flocks of Pacific Kittiwakes as we entered more open water, four more Ancient Murrelets. Another hour ticked by …pleasant, but still a rather low diversity of birds.
Not so the next couple of hours though …again moderately close to the coast, suddenly birds started to materialise – large gatherings of Kamchatka Gulls drifting on the now millpond sea, flocks of Kittiwakes still present, plus too the only Vega Gulls of the journey and the occasional Slaty-backed Gulls. But here, a far greater attraction, auks! After a few unidentified fly-bys, suddenly I was in their midst - lines of Ancient Murrelets strung out across the ocean, at least 150 in all, plus 26 Rhinoceros Auklets sporting fine gonks and a good smatterings of Common Guillemots too. Four small pale-bellied auks zipped by at distance, chunky with yellowish beaks catching the sun, certainly Parakeet Auklets, but rather frustrating as they veered directly away. Also in this rich section, three Temminck's Cormorants and, near a fishing fleet that was attracting in thousands of Kamchatka and Black-tailed Gulls, one hyper-pale immature Glaucous Gull. More Pacific White-sided Dolphins, some Dall's Porpoises, one Short-finned Pilot Whale.
Then like magic, the seas emptied of birds and for almost two hours, we cruised through waters that were beautifully calm, but amazing sparce of birds – between 11.00 a.m. and 12.45 p.m., I saw a grand total of 11 Black-tailed Gulls, five Kamchatka Gulls and nine Common Guillemots! I began to worry if perhaps the day's action was over, I had hoped to have seen a few shearwaters or similar by now! I needn't have worried however, the bird that broke the quiet spell was an absolute corker – hugging low over the sea, arcing in from the north, a resplendent Laysan Albatross …yippee, I quietly yelped, this was one of the main birds I'd been wanting to see. A magnificent bird, in it came, flying directly by at good range, then vanishing off to the south. No sooner had it disappeared and suddenly yet more good birds were flying by, puzzling me at first in their chocolate browns of summer coat, Long-billed Murrelets, excellent stuff!
It was now 1 p.m. and we had entered open water, the coastline no longer visible. From here on, I would see land no more and the birding just became better and better. Almost immediately, Crested Auklets began to appear, dumpy brown birds in dense flocks – a couple of packs numbering around 35 birds each, then a super flock of about 140, almost scoter-like in appearance as they scuttled low across the water. Pleasingly, six birds also sat on water as the ferry passed, allowing very fine views. Over the next three hours, a constant stream of birds past the boat, hundreds of Pacific Kittiwakes, a second Laysan Albatross, good numbers of Common Guillemots, at least three Brunnich's Guillemots (and several more suspected) and, in many ways, one of the highlights of the trip, several exquisite Least Auklets. Always in pairs or small flocks, these would sit of the sea as the ferry approached, only flitting up at the last minute to fly a short distance away. Little crackers, I noted 19 in total, but given their diminutive size and all that I saw were right by the boat, I suppose a far greater number went unseen.
By 4 p.m., things were quietening down, a last pair of Least Auklets scuttled up from the boat's wake, but otherwise it was just Pacific Kittiwakes and Slaty-backed Gulls for the last hour of my watch. At 5 p.m., now feeling rather chilly after ten hours on deck, I decided to call it a day. Into my cabin I went, rather chuffed with the day's haul! At 19.45, long after dark, we docked in Tomakomai. Popped into the train station to reserve train tickets for next morning, then checked into a hotel, one productive day over.
8 March. Into the World of the Dancing Cranes.
Right on time, at precisely 11.03, I departed the train, walked the few metres across the street to the car rental office and within minutes was driving off through the street. And 40 minutes later I was in the heart of the lands of the Red-crowned Crane. Very much a symbol of Japan, this bird came dangerously close to extinction in the 1950s, the population dropping to a mere 25 or so birds, all in this Kushiro heartland. Fortunately, led by local populations, conservation efforts have very much turned things around – the population is now expanding and currently stands at over 900. In winter, in several areas, local farmers and conservations have established feeding centres and it was at the most significant of this that I was now visiting, the Akin Crane Centre. With visitor centre, coffee shop and all the trimmings, the initial setting is not totally unlike Slimbridge, but navigating through the sight that unfolds is genuinely unique – from a lowered observation pit, you gaze out across a meadow bedecked in snow, low hills rising beyond. And upon that snow, lines of majestic Red-crowned Cranes serenade, honking calls drifting across the winter landscape.
With many of the birds just metres away, towering above you, it truly is a breathtaking setting, around 80 Red-crowned Cranes in all, plus 140 Whooper Swans. For more than an hour, I stayed and watched, then suddenly like an infectious wave, a bout of collective dancing erupted – two birds initially started prancing into the air, then within seconds then entire vista was a mass of jumping birds, pirouetting across the meadow in pairs and threes, black and white wings a flurry, long legs dangling, a musical cacophony of honks and yodels!
As it quietened down, so commenced the event I had been waiting for – the daily feed at 2 p.m. Into the meadow, a guy clutching a bucket walked, into the sky appeared ominous great shapes of birds. From the bucket, he began tossing fish, Red-crowned Cranes stalked closer and began the feast. Then the spectacle began, the shapes in the sky were twofold - White-tailed Eagles and Black-eared Kites - and they were intent on a feast too. Bombarding through the packed cranes and not in the slightest bit wary of the gathered human observers a mere 100 metres or so from the action, repeatedly the raptors tried to snatch fish, muscling in on the crane flocks and doing their utmost to part crane and fish. For ten or fifteen minutes this performance played out, all of the four White-tailed Eagles eventually grabbing big enough morsels to so settle on the snow to feast.
Ah, I think I had truly seen the cranes of Hokkaido now! As the last scraps of fish went down various gullets, I decided to part and head east to my main destination for the next days, the Nemuro Peninsula and environs. By now quite late in the day, my last plan for the day was to spent the hour around dusk at Hattaushi bridge, a famed site for Blakiston's Fish Owl.
Something however was not going according to plan - as I approached, fog rolled in and temperatures dropped to around zero. I did not hold out great hope for any owls! One White-backed Woodpecker appeared in a tree, one Eurasian Treecreeper too, but as darkness fell, all remained quiet and still. Then, raising hope for a while, the distinctive calls of Blakiston's Fish Owl began, a deep hoo hoo a little up the slope from the stream. It was not to be however, a brief few moments of calling and all returned to silence. It was cold, it was wet, I decided to depart.
I had planned to stay at the well-know Furen Lodge this evening, but not having done my homework very well, I only had a hazy idea of where it was! And where I thought it was turned out to be just a line of everyday looking houses – on this dark foggy night, nothing resembling a hotel or lodge jumped out. A couple of circuits of the immediate area and I gave up on the search and drove instead to Nosappa-misaki, the easternmost headland of Hokkaido. Here at dawn, if the fog cleared, I had high hopes of a stunning start. Out came my sleeping bag, so ended the day.
9 March. The Nemuro Peninsula.
Nossapa-misaki, eastern Hokkaido. The fog had dispersed overnight to produce what can only be described as a spectacular dawn ...glancing out from my sleeping bag, the lighthouse towering adjacent, the sun was just rising over a gently dappled landscape of pack ice churning up against the rocks of the headland, abundant seaduck bobbing in gaps between the ice and, just breathtaking, four Steller's Sea Eagles and one White-tailed Eagle sat atop a bloodstained chunk of ice flow plucking the fresh corpse of a scoter, Large-billed Crows looking on with intent. Truly an atmospheric start like no other!
As I gathered myself together and winched the scope into place, the stunning reality of this place further crystallised – scattered across the sea in great rafts, there were Harlequin Ducks and Black Scoters in their thousands, Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, Goosanders and Common Goldeneyes all alongside in lesser numbers. You could almost have cried! Slaty-backed and Glaucous-winged Gulls drifting about, two White-winged Scoters flying past, one Black-necked Grebe on the sea, plenty to keep me occupied for a good few hours.
With this headland one of the top sites in all Japan for auk species, a potential ten or so possible, I spent quite a lot of time scanning the stretches of water between and beyond the ice. Fortunately, I had managed an impressive haul on the ferry crossing a couple of days earlier because the number of auks present on this day was very low ...quality however was not lacking – of the total of 28 auks seen, 26 were Spectacled Guillemots in their full summer dress, one was a Pigeon Guillemot and the last an Ancient Murrelet. If I had been greedy, a couple of puffins would have been nice too! Still, as I watched the Harlequins in their colours up against the rocks and as yet another Steller's Sea Eagle drifted by, I could really say this was one of the best mornings of birding I have had for a very long time! One Ringed Seal bobbed just offshore, a Sea Otter basked on a slab of ice.
Finally dragging myself away from Nossapa-misaki, I cruised around a few small harbours on the peninsula (mostly frozen, but otherwise full of assorted gulls and occasional dabbling ducks) and then stopped for for a short while at the seaward end of Furen-ko. Though totally frozen in mid-winter, vestiges of the coming spring thaw now revealed moderate expanses of open water in the lower reaches. Flocks of Whooper Swans and Eurasian Wigeons mingled with Goosanders, a mass of gulls including large numbers of both Glaucous and Glaucous-winged Gulls, two Red-crowned Cranes paddled in the shallows. I did not stay long however – I wanted to explore the small sand spit at the north end of the lake, a drive of about half an hour from where I was. Quite nice it was, a slither of land about 10 km in length, the waters of the north Pacific sat to the one side, the frozen expanses of Furen-ko to the other. Amazing for the numbers of Sika Deer in particular, hundreds and hundreds of them were congregating all the way down the spit, regular little groups trotting across the ice, large herds gathering aside the road where traces of grass poked out from the snow.
Not at all bad for birds either – 12 Smew on the river at the head of the spit, a smart male Falcated Duck bobbing on the sea with Harlequins, regular Steller's Sea Eagles dotting roadside posts or lounging on the adjacent ice. Finding the end of the spit blocked by considerable depths of snow, I turned instead to the small village of Hashirikotan midway down the spit. Basically three or four streets clustered around an ice-locked harbour, the village would hardly been worthy of a second glance, but stunning it was – an impromptu raptor capital of the region! A few scrawny cats strutted about, no doubt keeping one eye on the sky, two or three folk worked on boats at the harbour, others sat scattered across the ice, huddled over little holes to trying to catch fish. All however were outnumbered by raptors – in the village itself, a flock of at least 90 Black-eared Kites were bombarding a bulldozed heap of snow; out on the ice, dozens of White-tailed Eagles and Steller's Sea Eagles sat sentinel, many in little clusters around the fishermen. It was quite a sight, but the best of the lot was not a raptor – feeding in a parking lot near the harbour with several Tree Sparrows, I stumbled across four splendid Asian Rosy Finches!
Before departing the spit, I also found a Fieldfare. To a backdrop of Steller's Sea Eagles and Sika Deer, this bird should have barely deserved a second glance for a birder now resident in eastern Europe (the species even breeds in my garden), but I sure hadn't been expecting this species on Hokkaido. A quick check of literature and a little sunsequent research, it turns out that Fieldfare is accidental in East Asia as a whole and this is only about the tenth ever for Japan! Typical, I find a major rarity and it has to be a bird that is basically a back garden bird for me!
Anyhow, the day was edging towards its end, a stop in woodland added Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, caudatus Long-tailed Tit, asiatica Eurasian Nuthatches and a flock of Bramblings. Then it was back to Hattaushi Bridge for a second attempt on Blakiston's Fish Owl. It truly would have been the icing to the sugar to have rounded the day off with the owl, but again the weather was conspiring against me on this one – it had been non-stop sunshine until about 3 p.m., a bank of high cloud then rolling in. Now however, exactly at the wrong moment, the weather broke. Just as a Ural Owl started to call and I expected the Blakiston's Fish Owls to follow suit, it began to rain! Within minutes, it was absolutely lashing it down, so ended attempt number two on the owls!
Departing, heavy rain seemed set for the duration, I drove to Ochiishi on the south side of the Nemuro Peninsula and called it quits, what an amazing day it had been!
10 March. The Nemuro Peninsula.
By early afternoon, heavy rain joined the cocktail, so I hightailed it out and embarked on the 160 km drive to Rasau, conditions worsening steadily as I progressed north, finally the rain turning to snow and beginning to accumulate. Arriving at Washinoyado, the locality famous for Blakiston's Fish Owl, the adjacent sea was solid pack ice, snow was piled two metres deep along the roads from earlier falls and a considerable fresh carpet was adding to it! I seriously wondered (a) what chance there would be of seeing an owl in such conditions and (b) would I be able to get out again? However, the owner of the owl area had the answer – I couldn't stay! With the forecast promising the road blocked by morning, I had to leave. No owls! Well, that was a bit of a spanner in the works, Washinoyado is the key site for Blakiston's Fish Owl, the birds come to take strategically placed fish and are near guaranteed! Or usually so, clearly not on this day! It was now getting dark, but with no better plan I decided to drive all the way back to the Nemuro Peninsula. And what a drive it was! Some dodgy moments in the snow early on, but it wasn't the wind and snow, later switching back to rain, that worried me so much, but the mighty waves crashing in from the sea – for long stretches the road runs parallel to the coast and howling great waves were smashing down on my car with regularity, each time reducing visibility to zero and pushing the car shudderingly to the side. Phew, I was rather relieved when I eventually got back to the Nemuro Peninsula! Finding a sheltered spot, I rolled the car seat back and called it a day, one Red Fox trotted past.
11 March. The Nemuro Peninsula.
Arriving at Hattaushi Bridge at 5 a.m., I still managed to miss dawn, so saw a Hazel Grouse aside the stream instead of any owls. I then decided to spend the day looking for Red-faced Cormorants, beginning with a return to Ochiishi-misaki ...but gee, with a change in the wind, the previously excellent shelter was now in the full blast of the wind! Rough seas, almost no notable passage. There was however a large gathering of Pelagic Cormorants on a cliff face just to the east, there just had to be a Red-faced Cormorant amongst them I thought!
On a nice calm day, viewing this cliff would have been a simplicity, I would merely needed to have sat on the nice grassy slope and scope across to them. In this buffeting wind however I was rather concerned that I would simply get blown off! Try as I might – standing, sitting, lying flat on my stomach, I simply could not get an angle where I could both see the cliff and keep my scope still enough to scan though them! A flock of about 30 Pelagic Cormorants departed from the cliff an hour or so later, one possible Red-faced Cormorant seemed to be in their midst.
However, with the sun angle and wind not conducive to better chances to observe, I decided to depart and return later in the day. After a stint in Ochiishi harbour, photographing the gulls, I moved round to Nossapa-misaki for another try there. Also very little movement on the very rough sea, but again a large gathering of cormorants, this time on a rock pinnacle just north of the lighthouse. Here, and across all the sites visited today, a massive influx of Bramblings had occurred, many thousands pouring in, flocks feeding on this exposed headlands and aside roads wherever the snow had retreated a few centimetres. So, as the car rocked about, I sat and waited ...photographing Bramblings sheltering beneath tussocks, watching the cormorants come and go on the pinnacle. Two hours on, a scan across the birds gathered and there he was, a solitary Red-faced Cormorant amongst the many Pelagics! Ah success, the last of my remaining targets on Hokkaido had fallen ...bar the owl of course!
For much the rest of the day I pottered about, visiting various bays and harbours and struggling out to the lighthouse at Ochiishi again where the cliff certainly held no Red-faced Cormorants in the end. Concluding the day, I returned to the now familiar Hattaushi Bridge. Still windy, I didn't expect very much ...and surprise surprise, didn't see very much either! As darkness fell, I left the area, driving to the hinterlands of Kushiro. At dawn, wind, rain or blizzard permitting, a treat would await me.
12 March. Setsurigawa River, Tsuri-itoh Sanctuary & Akin.
Preening, engaging in a little display, plodding out into the shallows to silhouette against the gathering light of day, this is one of the iconic setting of northern Japan. Alongside, several photographers were happily clicking away, directly up the channel and over the bridge, one smart Crested Kingfisher came, calling loudly as it went. After a couple of days of storms and wind, this was really a nice way to conclude my Hokkaido experience.
As the cranes roused and began to depart, so too did I, driving the few kilometres to Tsuri-itoh Sanctuary to await the morning feeding of the cranes. Toured the village while waiting, garden feeders attracting Brown-eared Bulbuls, plenty of Marsh Tits and a few Great Spotted Woodpeckers, then I settled down for the second crane treat of the morning. Flying in from several sides, a treat against the stunning blue skies, Red-crowned Cranes dropped down on the open meadow, masses of dance bouts breaking out, a little concern amongst them when a Red Fox came trotting through. At 9 a.m., a guy arrived pushing a sledge, across the field he zigzagged, dumping grain as he went – breakfast time for the cranes! Only 18 cranes here, but most picturesque it was. Also saw a very nice male Daurian Redstart nearby. I did not have a massive amount of time at my disposal today – at 1.30 p.m., I was due to fly out. However, looking at the weather, it seemed a real shame not to squeeze in another visit to the Akin Crane Centre, the possibilities for photography excellent at this sight. So off I went, my last couple of hours on Hokkaido were spent gazing into the eyes of Whooper Swans and Red-crowned Cranes at Akin, superb birds on sparkling snow. Magic.
And with that, I zipped off to Kushiro Airport, dumped my rental car and smiled at the massive sculpture of Blakiston's Fish Owls that greet you at departures ...quite obviously the Japanese authorities are sympathetic to wannabe owl-spotters and unsuccessful twitchers! From Kushiro, it was a two-hour flight to Tokyo, then another two hours to Kagoshima, a city at the southern end of Kyushu island. Arrived at 18.40, picked up another hire car and set off into the night.
13 March. Arasaki & Yatsushiro.
So, sitting there in the dark, pondering the silence outside, I was rather pleased when the first traces of orange began to flood the sky and, simultaneously, the unmistakeable cries of cranes began to echo out. Within moments, the sky was full of noise and wings ...hundreds of cranes, then thousands and thousands, were falling out of the sky, spirally downward to settle in the rice paddies aside the Arasaki crane centre.
Where they had spent the night I do not know, but now the spectacle was simply awesome! As the sun broke the horizon, flocks continued to pour in, the dark shapes now transforming into identifiable birds – Hooded Cranes.
Jam-packed into a patch of paddies barely the size of a couple of football pitches, it was a mad scrum of birds, a carpet of slate grey stretching far, countless heads and necks poking up ...never have I seen quite so many cranes in such a small area! As the sun rose yet further and the flock expanded ever more, I relocated a little to view from another angle. Within this mass of birds, there should also be a thousand of so White-naped Cranes and possibly a Common Crane or two, perhaps Sandhill Crane too. With the birds packed so densely however, it was actually very difficult to sift through the birds – I was now looking at perhaps 10,000 Hooded Cranes, a figure representing about 80-90% of the global population, but where were the White-naped Cranes? After a while, finally finding only a single individual, I had to conclude that these indeed had probably already begun their migration. The one White-naped Crane I did see however was quite a stunner – taller and more elegant than the Hooded Cranes, I was quite happy that at least this individual had been good enough to delay his migration for me!
At about 8.am., the reason for their mass congregation appeared, a truck that trundled up the embankments through the paddies disgorging vast quantities of grain. And the feeding frenzy that followed was impressive – Hooded Cranes shoulder to shoulder, masses of Rooks squeezing into gaps on the fringes, yet more birds still flying in. Quite how I spotted them, I am not sure, but also found two Eurasian Cranes in their midst and had a very smart Sandhill Crane stalk straight through my scope view on one occasion. I managed to relocate the Eurasian Cranes a few times, and a couple of Eurasian-Hooded Crane hybrids, but never again did I see the Sandhill Crane – pretty much the same size as the Hooded Cranes, once he had vanished into the pack, that was it! By 9 a.m., with most feeding over, the cranes began to spill out into neighbouring paddies and also to paddies beyond the nearby river. Hooded Cranes would be my constant companions for the whole day, but their departure from the feeding site also served as cue for me to widen my activities ...plenty more birds to also see at Arasaki!
Dusky Thrushes by the dozen, Japanese Skylarks singing high on the wing, flocks of Oriental Greenfinch commonplace, Daurian Redstarts flitting along edges of scrubby ditches. Nice birds all, but even better, one of the first birds I found was a Chestnut-eared Bunting feeding at the edge of a paddy field, suitably backed up by rather more abundant Meadow Buntings and Black-faced Buntings. Along the reeded fringes of a river loop north-west of the crane centre, Pallas's Reed Bunting and a very smart Green Pheasant were, plus a couple of Bull-headed Shrikes, more Daurian Redstarts and my first Red-bellied Rock Thrush of the trip (more to follow in subsequent days). All in all, the next few hours were just fantastic, Hooded Cranes everywhere, spirals of Black-eared Kites overhead, cocktails of familiar and unfamiliar birds at every turn – Ospreys, Northern Lapwings, Oriental Turtle Doves, Japanese Bush Warblers, plus many more.
A slight disappointment came with the discovery of two spoonbills roosting in a wet ditch – I had high hopes of a black face peering up at me when I checked them out, but alas they were both Eurasian Spoonbills ...not a bad species, but in the Far East they could have been even more exciting!
Departing middle afternoon, I then travel north to Yatsushiro. Arriving at 4 p.m., I was delighted to find I had timed it just perfect for the falling tide. Peering over the seawall, a mere slither of mudflat was exposed and birds were already congregating after their highwater roost. Lots of Grey Plovers, bucketloads of Kentish Plovers, a few Marsh Sandpipers, two Terek Sandpipers, dozens of Dunlins and Red-necked Stints, single Greenshanks and Far Eastern Curlews, but far better were the birds hawking the mud and looping back over the sea wall itself ...the very birds I had hoped to see were flying around directly over my head – Saunder's Gulls! Cracking little things, they were basically dainty little gulls that looked and behaved very much as marsh terns. A rare species with a global population of perhaps as few as 15,000 birds, it was pleasing indeed to see about 40 hawking back and fro, several in full summer plumage.
Also here, my only Black-headed Gulls of the trip, a male Falcated Duck, a group of about 25 roosting Black-crowned Night Herons and good flocks of Black-eared Kites. The best was still to come however – as the tide began to recede and the sun headed towards the horizon, a flock of five birds flew in from the west. Five big white birds, big white birds with honking great bills with spoons at the end! And so they landed on the mud directly in front, five superb Black-faced Spoonbills! A globally endangered species, this was just the icing to the cake, what a fantastic day it had been.
The sun was setting, the Black-faced Spoonbills paddled in the shallows surrounded by masses of Grey Herons and Great White Egrets. I retreated from the sea wall, time to find somewhere to sleep.
14 March. Yatsushiro, Hikawa Bridge & Kadogawa Harbour.
Back on the Yatsushiro River at dawn – Daurian Redstarts and Red-bellied Rock Thrushes on the seawall, Buff-bellied Pipits, Dusky Thrushes and Oriental Turtle Doves in the meadows, but on the mudflats a very similar selection to that of the day before. Interestingly however, the Black-faced Spoonbills present appeared to be a new set of birds – scattered across the estuary, no less than seven birds were feeding in the shallows (a pair, a group of four and a single), but the flock of five the day before had included a ringed individual, it was certainly not present today! If so, that would put 12 birds on the estuary, a number representing approximately 0.5% of the global population! No Saunder's Gulls this morning though.
From Yatsushiro, my plan was to cut across the central mountains of Kyushu to reach Kadogawa on the east coast. Selecting Route 443 for the early stages, I spent quite some time exploring the parallel Hikawa River and forested slopes on either side. Picturesque with blossom already in the small villages, it was also not bad at all for birds – regular stops along the river soon added the desired Mandarin Ducks and Brown Dippers, while the associated forest fringes added Japanese White-eyes, Ryukyu Minivets and Varied Tits, along with more abundant Japanese Tits, japonensis Goldcrests and kiusiuensis Long-tailed Tits. Perhaps the nicest find however was a flock of buntings in a scrubby field near the top of the valley – associating with Oriental Greenfinches and Tree Sparrows, the flock included at least 35 Meadow Buntings and 15 Elegant Buntings, the latter birds including some very fine males in vivid yellow headwear. Also here, a Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker and, in pines nearby, a Rustic Bunting.
15 March. Mi-ike & Kagoshima Coast.
Rain at dawn, pretty much staying the same most of the morning! The apparently beautiful settings of Mi-ike Lake lay shrouded in low cloud, alternating drizzle and heavier rain leaving all drenched and dripping. On the lawns of the lakeside campsite, Olive-backed Pipits pattered around growing puddles, Pale Thrushes and Carrion Crows too.
Seeking shelter under the roof of an open-sided camp kitchen, there I stayed for an hour, roving flocks of small birds moving through the trees with regularity – Japanese Tits and Varied Tits in the main, Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers on occasion, Japanese White-eyes now and then. A flock of Bramblings appeared on the lawn, Spot-billed Ducks paddles offshore. The weather was not showing signs of improvement, but seeing my chances of Japanese Grosbeak slipping away, I decided to take a walk anyhow. Thoughts of scrambling up the slippery slopes into the gloom of the higher hills certainly did not appeal, so instead I undertook the path circumnavigating the lake – despite the rain, a lot of birds seen: Japanese Tits and Japanese White-eyes almost all the way round, Varied Tits quite frequently, sometimes flocks of Long-tailed Tits. A landslip had blocked part of the path requiring a lot of scrambling through and over wet vegetation, protruding roots and mud slopping over sodden trunks …yuk!
Midway though this though, a good-sized flock appeared, the landslip providing a forest-edge effect and good viewing conditions – all the usual contenders present, Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers and Eurasian Nuthatches included, but also one Japanese Green Woodpecker, two Ryukyu Minivets and, slipping through dense vegetation, one Red-billed Leiothrix (as a social species, presumably others were present too). Getting back to the car however, I still had not seen Japanese Grosbeak! Driving to a nearby slightly higher shrine, the conditions were even worse – a dark eerie fog was virtually turning day to night, visibility was non-existent. I did not bother getting out of the car! Reasoning it might be drier at lower altitudes, I reluctantly left Mi-ike, knowing it probably meant the end of any hope of Japanese Grosbeak. Remarkably, 5km beyond Mi-ike the weather was indeed better – whilst still heavily overcast, it was at least dry.
Even more remarkable, another 10 km on, I stumbled across a very fine flock of birds: stopping to check birds on roadside wires, I was quite impressed to find no less than 80 Russet Sparrows feeding in small fields aside the road, about 25 Oriental Greenfinches with them. And then, a flash of a larger bird dropping down to the verge alongside. Stone me, a Japanese Grosbeak! Then another, and another, and then a whole flock of them! I was staggered!
After trudging around in the rain all morning looking for them, I was now watching a magnificent flock of about 45 Japanese Grosbeaks!!! I truly had not expected to find them in agricultural areas, nor for that matter a large flock of them, even less with Russet Sparrows, themselves quite a localised species. Well that was good! Now early afternoon and with no real plan for the remainder of the day (other than a flight out in the evening), I decided to randomly select a coastal site near Kagoshima Airport and see if I could notch up a last species or two, perhaps a Barn Swallow or Asian House Martin I thought. Looking at the map, a stretch just south of Kirishima City looked interesting – not only was it the closest patch of accessible coast, but it also appeared to consist of several pools adjacent to the sea, clustered either side of a rivermouth.
Almost immediately I understood I was onto a good thing – initial drainage ditches held Moorhens and Common Snipes, both new species for the trip, the river held assorted gulls and dabbling ducks. However, peering over the seawall, I could really see that I had hit the jackpot! Dozens of Temminck's Cormorants on small rock outcrops, 40 or so Grey Herons on the mudflats, a selection of waders including a Far Eastern Curlew and, an exquisite centrepiece, seven superb Black-faced Spoonbills preening at the water edge. I had not expected this, a wonderful finale to my Japanese experience I thought, as I clicked my last photograph of the trip. Watching the birds for a while, I spied a very distant bird flying over the sea …'hmm', odd I thought, 'I could swear that is a booby!' This species was not on my radar at all, but as I squinted to get detail, two cracking Brown Boobies flew directly over my head! Wow, I really couldn't get better that that – Brown Boobies over the top of Black-faced Spoonbills!
With my time running out, I continued along the seawall a little further. A few Buff-bellied Pipits, several Dusky Thrushes, one Red-bellied Rock Thrush …and yet more surprises! With the original flock still in view, the first birds I found were five more Black-faced Spoonbills, these roosting on a reed-fringed pool. I had now encountered as many as 24 Black-faced Spoonbills on this trip, quite stunning! Just nearby, an Eastern Water Rail appeared at the edge of reeds and, my last unexpected bird of the trip, a female Hen Harrier quartered rank meadow beyond. Barn Swallows zoomed along the seawall.
More information about this trip:
CLICK HERE for the full list of birds and mammals seen on this trip.
CLICK HERE for costs and practical details on visiting Japan (not active yet).
|Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 April 2015 )
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Archive for PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN DEAD MAN'S CHEST
Captain Barbosa: Trilogy of Pirates of the Caribbean–A Fatherly, selfish Pirate that I do so Love!
Now gather round children whilst we tell the tale of the Fatherly, yet selfish Pirate…Captain Barbosa. Oh, and dear children….inorder for you to keep up with this discussion …it will be necessary for you to have watched all three movies.
We will skip around quite a bit….so do be a good student and do your homework before class? Will you dears? Thanks ever so much…..So now, where were we?
Oh, yes, Captain Barbosa, has my heart for his stubborn ways helped to save the day for Jack Sparrow. Despite the rivalry between the two men…Captain Barbosa lead the crew of Will Turner, Elizabeth, and the group to find Davy Jones Locker and release Jack from that dreaded place.
Captain Barbosa knows everything and is not afraid of anything. He uses comic relief, but he is generally not the butt of any of the jokes in the trilogy of the Pirates of the Caribbean. What I love the most is how he meets Elizabeth for the first time.
Captain Barbosa enters the story of the Black Pearl with his Un- dead crew and un-dead monkey because our "leading man" type Orlando Bloom's a.k.a. Will Turner coin was in the possession of Elizabeth Swann. Elizabeth Swann, had a awaken that morning having dreamt about her first meeting Will while saling to the Caribbean with her father and the Commodore.
She took the coin from around Will's neck and hid it for safe keeping. She had been afraid that the Kings Army would take poor young Will for a pirate…or child of a pirate.
Once her father had entered her room with chamber maids laden with a new dress sent for from Europe, Elizabeth hid the coin within the boddice of her night gown. She would hide the coin on its' chain even under her new frock.
She did not plan to flip over the edge of a sea wall while being proposed to by the Commodore . While she fell into the water the coin sent out its' "signal" to the undead crew and its captian on the Pearl.
Captain Barbosa and his crew had been cursed for stealing what was known as the"Aztec" Gold. So they lived half alive and half dead. They were pirates of a ghost like nature.
While day they were visable as human….but once the moon came out they appeared as walking animated skeletons with clothes on.
So the chase was on…to rid themselves of the ill gotten Aztec gold and return back to being human. In order to return to their normal selves they would have to give back all of the ill gotten gain to the chest from which it was taken. They also needed the blood of the child of one of the pirates.
Elizabeth misrepresented herself as a child named from Boot Strap Bill Turner. She did not realize that she had sealed her fate with the pirates when she did that. She had to stay on board the ship because….they needed what they thought was the blood of Boot Strapp Bill Turners sire.
For as Captain Barbosa put it, when talking to Eizabeth during her"first meal" in the Captain's quarters…."I do not know the taste of food." And he was eager to experience sensation and taste again. The funny thing though….Elizabeth read Captain Barbosa all wrong.
She thought he had posioned her food…but instead he just wanted to watch a person truly eat and enjoy his/her food. I felt kind of sorry for him. Even though he had basically kidnapped Elizabeth in order ensure his release from the limbo state ( undead) life he had been living up to this point.
Captain Barbosa was the crew member that had taken over the Black Pearl from Jack Sparrow in a mutiny! Poor Jack had made a deal with that sea monster Davy Jones…to raise the Black Pearl from the depths and then become its captain for 13 or 12 years. However, Captain Barbosa mutined against Jack Sparrow, took the ship and found that Aztec gold. So he suffered from his bad behavior. When he meets Ms. Swann he tried to explain his condition and the condition of his crew. Elizabeth as plain and simplistic told him, I do not believe in "ghost stories!" She then stabbs Captain Barbosa in the chest with a knife. He laughs and asked her in his great Irish, English accent, "What is it you planned on doing after you stabbed me with this knife?" The door to his captain's quarters fly's open as Elizabeth attempts to run away from him on his own ship in the middle of the ocean. While she is running she sees a strange sight….the crew working in the moon light and looking like clothed animated skeletons! Great Graphics as always Disney Movie People! The skeleton crew were ugly, but not too scary. I am not a scary movie buff. I like a mild fear….not extreme fear. Actually…I like no fear at all. I like comedy!
So any way class, Ms. Turner/Swann gets tossed about the Black Pearl by the cursed skeleton crew and lands back at the feet of Cranky Barbosa. He in turn tells her, "that if you don't believe in ghost stories Ms. Turner, You are In one! " At this point he drinks from a bottle of liquer and you can see the fluid roll down his skeleton rib cage and he laughs loud and hard. The skeleton crew joins in with his laughter and he turns on them and yells…."Get to work!"
I just loved this part…I saw the frustration of Captain Babosa over his dilemma. But poor Elizabeth was dragged into the problem now and looked like a scared little rabbit. Which I would have been more like a scared turtle myself!lol!
The most interesting aspect of Barbosa was his interaction with the Chinese Pirate Lord and his attempt at diplomacy. He was able to explain issues to the Chinese Pirate Lord and maintain a social proper presence throughout their discussion. However, Elizabeth, now more comfortable had developed a somewhat fearless attitude with all pirates since the being of the Trilogy argued, and demanded things of the Chinese Pirate Lord.
The most interesting part of Barbosa, was his seemingly logical awareness of "the what is next" aspect to the movies. He knew the Chinese Lord's ship that the group was traveling on in their quest to reclaim Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones Locker was going to have to go over a gigantic water fall! Ugh! The cinematography and graphics was great! It really had an authentic look, and hard pressed reality for the viewer! I loved how the camera panned out from the Chinese Lord ship as Elizabeth and Will Turner and the rest of the crew realized that they were on a roller coaster ride to doom over the edge of the OCEAN WATER FALL! oH, MY, I thought….thank the good Lord…this is only a movie and that there are no water falls in the mid-atlantic ocean or any where else for that matter! Yuck! But in the midst of this situation, Barbosa just simply laughs! Elizabeth runs to him and looks him in the eye and said " You have doomed us all!" Barbosa just simply touches her chin, smiles and utters some phrase but nothing that explains what is about to happen to them! He grabs hold of rope and tosses his head back and laughs while the rest of the crew, the monkey and Mr. Giffen's parrot seek shelter as the boat tips over the edge of the water fall! What a mess as the whole kit and cabotel go over the waterfall!!! That is the best scene or one of the best in that the last and final chapter of my favorite trilogy! And for those who have done their homework, you know how it all ends….they find Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl!
I will add more on Captain Barbosa for his is a major player in this triology. He holds much of the interesting facts and figures of the story line, and he is the one or orchestrates Clypso's ultimate freedom in his hand. He even showed no fear. He used Cylpso's power, and did not feel loyalty at all. He called her a "fish wife". Barbosa is a very strong character throughout the triology!
Once again, I enjoy these movies….I wish they would make just one more about Will Turner once he is captain of the Flying Dutchman!
till next blog….Riveroflifelisajoy
Calypso the Love of Davy Jones: Pirates of the Caribbean – AT WORLD'S END—UNIQUE LOVE STORY*** IN A DISNEY MOVIE***! WOW!!!
Okay, my friends, time for more of my discussion of my love of one of my most favorite trilogies….Pirates of the Caribbean.
Today I want to discuss Tia Dalma a.k.a. Calypso the goddess of the Sea. She has unqiue features like black lips, black paint under her eyes, and dreadlocks.
She has been visited by Jack Sparrow and company, i.e. Will Turner, Elizabeth and some of the crew members, and then again by Will Turner after Jack Sparrow was taken to Davy Jones Locker by the Kracken. Tia Dalma was always willing to help them.
She lives in the deep forest in the West Indies (Caribbean) surrounded by faceless forest people. She has a hut that has strange and odd looking jars filled with eyeballs and what not….But you can't seem to be truly afraid of her.
You kind of like her. She is not really happy, but not really angry either. You find that she is willing to help those around her. She has strong views and concepts and seems to see the future of the key players in the movie. She constantly warns Will Turner of his "Touch of Destiny!"
Did you even think that Davy Jones could love anybody? Certainly not the OBIA (witchcraft) woman!
I was surprised that the young actress that portrayed the fabulous, loving, changing, angry Tia Dalma turned out to be the only one true weakness of Davy the Squid Head Jones!
Diadalma even said it herself, "There is an evil on the seas that even the staunchess pirates fear!"
But when Tia Dalama spoke directly to Davy Jones before she was released from her intombed body space, she told him" You have corrupted your purpose."
Davy Jones had taken to the seas in fearce angry retribution on the sailors and their boats. Davy Jones unleash the Kracken on "innocent ships and sailors, or pirates" then he would ask people if they feared death.
He would enlist or force them into servitude to the Fying Dutchman if they feared death. Little did the unsuspecting dying sailors know….but they would soon be in a worse condition than if they had dyed at sea.
Tia Dalma was to blame, (in Davy Jones mind) for his change of heart. Davy Jones job was to ferry the dead to the other side, and then come to land every ten years.
Because Davy Jones loved Tia Dalma a.k.a. Calypso, he became angry when she did not show up for their meeting after his ten years at sea. His feelings and heart hurt so much that he wanted to end the pain.
He then cut out his heart, and thus you know how that all went. Dispite the scary appearance of Davy Jones, I felt a slight pang of compassion for this sailor turned monster at sea whenever he sat at his "church" organ to play himself to sleep, or soothe his mind.
Even though he placed his heart in a box, he could not run from his anger an all of his fears.
When the Flying Dutchman and the Black Pearl were soaring through the rough waters of the malstrom and shooting and fighting one another….Davy Jones was fighting with Will Turner's father and then he knocked him to the floor and told him,"You will not forestall my judgement!"
At first hearing this I had thought that he meant that he was going to finish off the"whelp" Will Turner junior…..but on seeing it again….I have wondereed if Davy Jones was seeking freedom from his life as the tenatcled sea monster pirate?
Was he hoping that Will Turner would take over the job….instead? So I believe that he was referring to that…..well any way …only the director and writer truly know what that statement.
All I know is that when Davy Jones visited Tia Dalma he told her that his heart would always belong to her.
He loved ocean, the wind, and the life on and in the ocean. She smiled and he walked out of her holding room on board the Black Pearl.
I was happy to see a black woman cast in that role. I had grown to like her thick West Indian accent, and her all knowing personality.
But when she turned around and responded to Will Turner's question…"Who told the Brethern Court how to bind you?!!! Tia Dalma grew so big that she was as tall as the mast on the ship. She yelled, "Say it! Say it!" And with that Will Turner yelled Davy Jones and she ballooned up to an unbelieveable size!
She began shaking her head and saying things in a garbled way and kind of exploded into the same white crabs that helped to pull the black pearl from the depths of Davy Jones locker.
What a sight! When all of the crabs fell over the ships edge (the Black Pearl) everybody said…"Is that all?" Suddenly the wind began to blow and the malstrom kicked up.
I thought this was wonderful and powerful portrayal of nature fighting back against the rules and establishment!!
It was so strange to see Davy Jones look of renewed faith….and even when his heart was stabbed….a look of peace as he fell off of the Flying Dutchman to his final resting place with Tia Dalma!
I really loved the music that portrayed the tender love that had gone wrong between Davy Jones and Tia Dalma a.k.a Calypso.
Now a new story must be told about Will Turner… the hope of the dead who must still be carried to the after life…, and Elizabeth his chillhood love turned "Pirate King" during the Brethen court meeting.
What a wonderful pirate, action adventure and double love story!
Stay tuned for more discussion on the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy!
Next Time Captain Barbossa, Singapore, and more!!!!!!
Till next blog,


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It's my pleasure to share this Guest Post — a zinging slice of flash fiction that takes an interesting temperature of these wild times we find ourselves in.
My big thanks to the writer, who's also a wonderful sister.
The Blue Cupboard
by Tracey Edgerly Meloni
On my 17th birthday, while I was reveling in my Mary Quandt orange mini dress with a fifty-pound note in the pocket, Dudley disappeared into The Blue Cupboard.
Da swore years before my watch that The Blue Cupboard had transported him forward to 1967. The family in Penrith thought he was barking mad; as Uncle Willie said, "We keep mops in The Blue Cupboard, not H.G.-bloody-Wells."
Da's ravings about enormous protest marches, masses of hair and women burning their undergarments became ominously real in the news. I believed in him – he was all I had. Mum died having me, although I once overheard Uncle Willie stage-whisper that Da's time-traveling lunacy was what really killed her.
Anyway, here on my 17th birthday in the real 1967, I follow Scottie Dudley into The Blue Cupboard. The door slams. All fades to black until the door opens again.
The view tells me that Da was right: just like him, I am in Washington, DC and the protest march is still going on. My outfit should fit right in.
"Dunna be so sure, Lassie." A cartoonish, hairy Scotsman with a ridiculous brogue and awning-like eyebrows takes my arm with gloved hands, his tartan bell-bottoms and purple Edwardian coat making even me stare. Dudley?? He shrugs. "Is me tail covered?"
The Blue Cupboard took us far afield from 1967. These people must be concentration camp survivors: slashed, torn pants, ripped jackets, bald heads. Tattoos. Several have signs protesting the number of children killed in – 2018?? What the hell war is this?
"Groovy retro! Selfie?" says some ratty woman, throwing her arms around me and shoving a flat thing in my face. She points to a restaurant while dancing away. "Fusion – great falafel and sushi."
Dudley and I look at each other. "Put your tongue back in your mouth," I say. We go in. There's a telly, telling me how spectacular sex would be if only I used the pink-and-blue gel. Then more adverts show a young woman shaving her face, an old woman flaunting her pee-pads ("Speaking of which," says Dudley, excusing himself. . .)
Thanks to The Blue Cupboard, I'm celebrating being both 17 and 68 among strangers who've evidently been killing their children for half a century, while celebrating sex. I'm eating two things I hate with a Scottie dressed up like a psychedelic Dr. Who.


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TEHRAN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran national soccer team head coach Carlos Queiroz said Monday that the friendly match against Uzbekistan will be very useful since the Asian team have changed into a strong team under Hector Cuper, Tehran Times daily reported.
Iran will meet Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Tuesday as preparation for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
"We will play against a strong and well organized team who takes advantage of good players. I think this will be a great experience for our players in the AFC Asian Cup. It is obvious that under the guidance of Hector Cuper, Uzbekistan is an amazing team," Queiroz said.
"We've started preparations for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. In this match, we will have the opportunity to play with the experienced and the young players," he added.


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text:
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) published a new report today highlighting the growing problem of 'digital exclusion'.
A report launched today at the House of Lords by LITRG, supported by research and data from the advice charity TaxHelp for Older People (TOP), suggests how bereavement
In its latest report, LITRG shows how inconsistent is the tax and benefits treatment of volunteers' expenses, and makes recommendations for a simple and coherent
Government tax rules are hindering good government intentions to help vulnerable and disabled people live independently within the community.
This report by Community Links, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group and Child Poverty Action Group follows a technical and qualitative study of the tax, tax credit and social
For too long pensioners on low incomes have been a low priority in the tax world of HMRC.
A comprehensive report by the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is calling for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to review the VAT reliefs given to disabled people.
LITRG have participated in the consultations about tribunals reform which followed the recent White Paper.
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has published a report entitled 'Disability in Tax and Related Benefits: The Case for a Modern and Coherent Approach'
Pilot projects in the South West and West Midlands, April 2001 to March 2002
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Breaking Muscle
Muscle AU
Healthy Eating
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Knowledge Is Nothing Without Application
Stop looking for your next game-changing course, and ask yourself how you can use the knowledge you already have.
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Give Your Knowledge Away
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Chet Morjaria
How to Be an Expert: Knowing You Know Nothing is Everything
The first rule of being an expert is to never think you are an expert.
Chet Morjaria
Question Everything: Get Stronger With a Scientist's Mind
Clients seek out hairdressers to "do" their hair. Students seek out knowledge. Are you a client or a student?
Craig Marker
Why You're Wrong and There's Nothing Wrong With That
Using the paleo diet as an example, I'll cover the science behind why so many people are wrong.
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Know Your Role: It's Okay to Say You Don't Know
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Andrew Read
The Evolution of Weightlifting Coaching
Weightlifting coaching cannot be learned over a weekend, and even to practice it at entry level takes considerable preparation.
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text:
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Back to the circus after administrative detention: an interview with Mohammad Abu Sakha
The Palestine Monitor
- November 14, 2017
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"When I came back, I felt a bit lost at first," Mohammad Abu Sakha starts. This young circus performer spent 20 months in detention. Before being jailed, the 26-year-old had been teaching circus techniques at the Palestinian Circus School in Bir Zeit since 2008.
"What confused me the most when I came back is that I realised how long I had stayed in prison," he explains. "I only realise how much time had passed when I came back from prison to the circus school: I saw all the pictures, all the new activities, all the improvements… I was happy of course, but I felt I missed so much, it was like I had been in jail for 10 years."
Mohammad Abu Sakha, kept behind bars since December 2015 over allegations of being a member of the PFLP, a secular Palestinian political party considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the EU and the US, was released in late August. Over the 20 months he was detained, the charges against him were never made official and public.
According to Palestinian human rights organizations, there are currently 450 Palestinian prisoners in the same situation. They are detained under the Israeli system of "administrative detention" – a protocol under which Israel detains suspects without trial for periods of several months, renewable indefinitely. Countless human rights organizations have condemned this practice.
"In that framework, I lived on hope," Abu Sakha explains, "Every time I got the court order, I would start giving my clothes to other prisoners, because I was so convinced that I would leave." Other prisoners used to answer him that "it's not so easy to get out of jail," he recalls. "But I would always believe in it, because I know I did nothing."
Shadi Zmorrod, a Palestinian actor who started the Palestinian Circus School said the most difficult part for him was not knowing when Mohammad was going to be released. His name would always be on the programs, his picture at the school, and the staff would always talk about him. "We felt it would make us mentally ready for his return," Shadi says.
When Amnesty International called for Abu Sakha's release and protests were organised around the world, and each time diplomats made statements calling for an end to his administrative detention, staff at the circus school hoped the order (each one lasts six months) would not be renewed. It ended up being renewed three times.
"Every time, it was like a slap, and I would feel devastated," Shadi Zmorrod recalls. "Living under occupation gives you the feeling that you never really know what will happen. It is really hard to keep working normally in that context."
Mohammad Abu Sakha after his return to the Palestinian Circus School
Circus values helped Mohammad Abu Sakha live through those long months of uncertainty. His mother said he was always willing to get material to train inside the prison. "I was always making jokes about prison being like a summer camp, where you have to create activities, find ideas to train," Abu Sakha says. "I did a handstand outside, where we were allowed to walk, and then I was told I would get punished, but I only realized when I was handcuffed and my feet were tied as well, as the prison staff was moving me from one prison to another."
Today he is back in Bir Zeit. He was physically weakened by life behind bars, especially the prisoners' hunger strike last spring, but he continues performing and training children at the school.
"We knew it would change him a lot," Shadi Zmorrod says. "Almost two years between four walls, it changes you, for sure. It's hard for us to know where to start, and how to share. There are many questions we want to ask him, but we also want him to feel 'back home' and there is a moment of rehabilitation: the children grew up, we did a lot of projects and shows during the time he was detained, and we need time to all reconnect."
Abu Sakha is determined to teach again. He feels it is part of his responsibility as a circus performer: "we have to protect the children, to give hope and life when they get exposed to so much violence, we need to keep them in the circus, to have them expressing themselves through the circus."
He would like the Palestinian authority to open more facilities such as the Palestinian circus school. "Our social programs should reach all Palestinians," Abu Sakha feels. "Israeli soldiers with tanks coming to our villages are bringing ideas of violence and you can't stop those ideas with stones. You need other ideas to replace them and I think that the values of circus could be a good alternative."
The circus school already teaches and performs in refugee camps and isolated areas. "They say I'm pushing it with my big ideas about circus, but I feel circus is really very important," Abu Sakha explains, "as opposed to sports such as football, there is no competition, because with circus, the idea is always come together. Circus is also stronger than theatre that has a story and is always conveying a message, while circus is just pure expression of your body in nature. In the end, circus can be like a vaccine: it gives you values of teamwork, and keeps you away from violence."
Mohammad Abu Sakha works on various projects run by the Palestinian circus school, from performances in Jordan, to the Palestinian festival of circus arts in 2018, or the workshops in the refugee camps. "We have many projects, but I still need more time. Before I used to go to class jumping from joy, now the very serious life of prison took away parts of this feeling, so it's harder."
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Price: $75.00
Quantity: 1 available
Book Condition: Very Good
Boards with light shelfwear. Spine a bit sunned. Former owner's name on front free endpaper and with rough spot from removed price sticker. ; The profusely illustrated "School Edition"; 8vo; 316 pages
Title: RICHARD HALLIBURTON'S SECOND BOOK OF MARVELS The Orient
Categories: Asia,
Publisher: Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill Company: 1938
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
Item: 1.00 Item
Order Number: 18592


text: Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality. Pietermaritzburg is popularly called Maritzburg in English and Zulu alike, and often informally abbreviated to PMB. It is a regionally important industrial hub, producing aluminium, timber and dairy products. It is home to many schools and tertiary education institutions, including a campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It had a population of 228,549 in 1991; the estimated current population is around 500,000 and has one of the largest populations of Indian South Africans in South Africa.


text:
Search for the Screven County, GA county sheriff. A county sheriff search provides information on hours and locations, sheriff services, criminal investigations, criminal arrests, felony arrests, misdemeanor arrests, criminal trials, investigation reports, criminal history, criminal record, jail bookings, incarcerations, mug shots, sex offender registry, and background check information.
The Screven County Sheriff Department acts as a law enforcement agency at the county level in Screven County, Georgia. Screven County Sheriffs protect the community and maintain public order by investigating crimes, making arrests, and helping courts prosecute criminals. The Sheriff Department maintains Screven County public records on all its arrests and investigations, including misdemeanor and felony charges. These records contain personal information about criminals and suspected criminals, including their complete criminal history, all arrests and jail bookings, and any incarcerations. These Screven County Sheriff Department records are an important source of Screven County background check information, and they list whether someone is on the Georgia sex offender registry. The county Sheriff Department may provide online access to their Screven County criminal records.
Screven County Sheriffs Department / Screven County Jail Sylvania GA 202 Rocky Ford Road 30467 912-564-2013


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High frequency words in Spanish – 5
Coming in at number 5 is the mono-syllable "a". In fact, all of the top ten high frequency words in Spanish are monosyllabic.
I suppose this is for a reason – if you say a word a lot, it is going to be bashed about quite a lot and finishes up by being a tried, tested and robust monosyllable.
"A" has a variety of different meanings but the main ones are "to" or "at".
Examples of use are:
Voy a la playa (I am going to the beach).
¿A qué hora llega el tren? (At what time does the train leave?).
"A" is pronounced "ah". (Click below for an audio of this post).
"A" is number five then in the Spanish top one hundred words.


text:
Emmerdale (1972)
Telenovela británica ambientada en un pueblo ficticio de Yorkshire.
- Kevin Laffan
Episode 1 - 3 January 2011Release Date: 2011-01-03
Episode 271 - 11 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-11
Holly senses that something is up at home. Marlon sees presents are exchanged at the Woolpack. Ali tells Dan to behave. Katie tries to support Declan.
Episode 272 - 14 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-14
Moira leaves her home. Ashley thinks something is up with Laurel and Marlon. Val and Eric discuss a hot topic
Episode 273 - 15 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-15
John spots Holly with Cain. Marlon tells Laurel to decide. Aaron and Adam go out together. Amy sees the midwife.
Episode 274 - 16 November 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-11-16
Marlon invites Laurel to a hotel room. Charity tells Rishi and Georgia about her past. Debbie and Andy fight.
Episode 275 - 16 November 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-11-16
Cain meets with Priya at the pub, where he tries to go through her stuff, while she doesn't pay attention.
Episode 276 - 17 November 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-11-17
Andy and Debbie receive news. Nikhil and Jai learn about the burglary in their parents home. Ashley is getting upset when he spots Laurel and Marlon.
Episode 277 - 17 November 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-11-17
Debbie and Andy still hope for a baby. Gennie wonders if she's on the right path. Rishi and Zak meet.
Episode 278 - 18 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-18
Andy wants a baby, but how to tell Alicia? Nicky confesses his love. Cain hits on Priya. Ashley tries to assure Sandy that everything is fine
Episode 279 - 21 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-21
Nikhil and Gennie's passionate moment is interrupted by Jai. Ashley deals with gossip. Andy and Debbie fight with Cameron and Alicia.
Episode 280 - 22 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-22
Ashley can't take it anymore. Gannie tries to move on from Nikhil. Jai wonders who's Priya's new lover. Alicia tries to be happy.
Episode 281 - 23 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-23
Ashley can't believe what he hears from Laurel. Pryia and Jai fight. Nicky meets Gennie and Nikhil at the pub. Moira returns.
Episode 282 - 24 November 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-11-24
Jai suspects that Rishi's accident was none, but foul play. Priya spends some quality time with Cain.
Episode 283 - 24 November 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-11-24
Laurel tells Marlon to get lost. Moira hopes things with John will improve. Nicky tells Paddy and Rhona that he has to move on and away.
Episode 284 - 25 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-25
Everyone starts to hate Cain. Dan reveals a secret to Sean. Moira and John might have a buyer, but then news from Zak change everything.
Episode 285 - 28 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-28
Charity fight with Cain about the wedding. Zak worries about Amy. Katie reconsiders her relationship with Declan.
Episode 286 - 29 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-29
Katie threatens to leave Declan. Jai and Priya fight. Chas is happy by the news Aaron reveals.
Episode 287 - 30 November 2011Release Date: 2011-11-30
Amy hides from the social worker, but things go wrong for her. Katie can't make up her mind. Jai is arrested by the police.
Episode 288 - 1 December 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-12-01
During birth Amy is all alone, with dramatic consequences. When she finally finds David, she asks him for help.
Episode 289 - 1 December 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-12-01
Hazel finds the baby and calls for help. Katie hopes to talk to Declan, but Sam stops the conversation. Debbie tells Charity about Andy.
Episode 290 - 2 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-02
Eric and Val learn about Amy's child. Belle can't keep her secrets any longer. Moira moves out of the Butler's Farm.
Episode 291 - 5 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-05
Eric and Val pay Amy a visit, but don't like what they hear. Cain tries to push Belle around. Marlon invites Moira to stay.
Episode 292 - 6 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-06
News about the baby spread. Eric and Val try to protect Amy. Debbie fights with Cain, while Val wants to fight for the baby
Episode 293 - 7 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-07
Zak and Cain fight. Jai leaves Charity and Andy tells John about the baby. Chas and Cameron want to confront Cain.
Episode 294 - 8 December 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-12-08
The police arrest Cain after his threats. Charity tells Jai that she will stop her ex. Amy hopes to talk to Belle and Hazel sees Declan.
Episode 295 - 8 December 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-12-08
Cain is severely injured. Cameron suspects that Jai was the attacker. Eric worries about the pressure Val puts on Amy.
Episode 296 - 9 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-09
Cain is rushed to the emergency room. Jai and Charity are arrested. Amy and Moira watch the crime scene investigation going on.
Episode 297 - 12 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-12
Debbie and Charity fight in the hospital. John is arrested. Amy, Eric and Val are questioned by the police.
Episode 298 - 13 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-13
Cain's car might have been stolen. Charity and Jai think bad things of each other. Sean and Belle go to the hospital. John is free again.
Episode 299 - 14 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-14
John asks for Declan's help. Sean and Belle go to the hospital - in a stolen car. Ashley and Laurel have some problems
Episode 300 - 15 December 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-12-15
Jai and Charity hold together. Aaron stays with Cain. Holly fights with Moira as well as Laurel and Marlon.
Episode 301 - 15 December 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-12-15
Cain wakes up again. Laurel tells Nicola her secret. Amy lets Val to the baby.
Episode 302 - 16 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-16
Cain names his attacker. Val and Eric visit the hospital, while Amy starts to doubt herself. Ashley is angry that Laurel broke their secret.
Episode 303 - 19 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-19
Amy visits the baby and Cain. Nikhil kicks Jai out of the factory. Adam hopes Moira returns home for Christmas.
Episode 304 - 20 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-20
Cain receives bad news from the doctor. Sandy isn't happy with Ashley and Laurel plans. Nikhil struggles at the factory.
Episode 305 - 21 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-21
Ashley discover that certain secrets are no longer hidden and demands answers from his wife. Gennie and Nikhil fight. Aaron tells Chas about Cain, while Amy visits the baby with her family. Adam hopes to invite Holly for the Christmas celebrations.
Episode 306 - 22 December 2011 (part1)Release Date: 2011-12-22
Ashley doesn't show up at the church. Jai is back at the factory. Nikhil thinks it's a bad time to celebrate and cancels the factory's Christmas celebration.
Episode 307 - 22 December 2011 (part2)Release Date: 2011-12-22
Ashley finally shows up at the church. Marlon and Paddy fight. Gennie is angry with Nikhil. Val shows Amy a card from her mother.
Episode 308 - 23 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-23
Amy takes her baby home, still full of doubts. Nikhil is worries about Jai. Laurel has to answers some questions, while Alicia feels that Jacob is being forgotten.
Episode 309 - 26 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-26
Debbie wishes that she and Andy try for the baby anyways. Amy faces the consequences of her decision. Diane is surprised by a present.
Episode 310 - 27 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-27
Cameron and Debbie fight. Zak spots Belle and Sean kissing. Marlon goes out with Rachel. Debbie tells Charity and Jai to get lost, when Cain arrives home.
Episode 311 - 28 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-28
The police catch Jai. Hannah and John discuss their upcoming anniversary. Carl and Chas discuss the option that Cameron is leaving. Cain hits on Alicia.
Episode 312 - 29 December 2011 (part 1)Release Date: 2011-12-29
Charity hopes Cain will not press charges against Jai. Alicia tells David why it's over with Andy. Debbie tells Aaron to look after Hazel. Edna has her own opinion about Amy and her child.
Episode 313 - 29 December 2011 (part 2)Release Date: 2011-12-29
Chas and Debbie learn that Charity saw 'the night'. Aaron and Hazel meet. Ashley storms Marlon's flat.
Episode 314 - 30 December 2011Release Date: 2011-12-30
Charity tries to help Jai at any cause - which raises the attention of the police. Laurel and Nicola have some ideas.


text:
2019 Zozobra Torchbearer Application
Are you hot to perform before 62,000 people? Tell us who you are!
When you become a Torchbearer for the 95th Annual Burning of Zozobra, your starring moment is here!
We're looking for people who like to play with fire to make Santa Fe, NM's hottest event an even bigger hit on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Fort Marcy Park. IS THIS YOU?


text:
SERIOUS differences in the quality of care provided by accident and emergency units must be corrected immediately, campaigners said today.
An NHS watchdog report found there were problems at A&E departments all over the country. Not all were meeting recommended standards.
The Healthcare Commission studied treatments at 200 A&E departments and found widely varying rates of patient satisfaction.
The commission's report said that in particular some children and older people did not receive pain relief for fractures promptly enough.
The report looked at the quality of A&E care for three common conditions, against standards set by the British Association for Emergency Medicine .
The BAEM states that youngsters should receive pain relief within 20 minutes of arrival for severe pain, or with a nurse for moderate pain.
The commission found that, on average, 53 per cent of children in moderate or severe pain due to elbow or wrist fractures received analgesic pain relief with an hour of arrival.
Just six departments achieved 100 per cent compliance, while in eight hospitals it was below 20 per cent.
Jonathan Ellis, of Help the Aged, said: "Much work has been done to improve care for older people admitted to hospital but fundamental problems remain."
Is your locel A+E department of a good standard? Have your say.


text:
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs advises any veteran that is concerned they may have been exposed to asbestos during their military service to contact the:
- Environmental Health Coordinator in their home state.
- Patient Care Advocate at the nearest VA medical facility.
Veterans who Need Treatment for Mesothelioma can Contact one of these VA Hospitals that Have Oncology Programs:
- Albany Stratton VA Medical Center – Albany, New York
- Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center– Saginaw, Michigan
- Alexandria VA Medical Center – Pineville, Louisiana
- Memphis VA Medical Center – Memphis, Tennessee
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- San Francisco VA Medical Center – San Francisco, California
- VA Boston Healthcare System – (three locations), Massachusetts
- VA Maine Healthcare System – Augusta, Maine


text:
The IMC 2016 Employee of the Year Award goes to:
Rachael Atherton
This award is to recognise Rachael's outstanding performance, dedication and positive attitude throughout the past year.
We would also like to mention the two runners up, Barry Jones and Richard Davies whose tireless efforts have made 2016 the successful year it has been.
With heartfelt appreciation from all at IMC


text:
Long Hot Year: Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria
The national media have given tremendous play to the claims of Vice President Al Gore, some federal scientists, and environmental activists that the unseasonably warm temperatures of this past summer were proof positive of the arrival of dramatic and devastating global warming. In fact, the record temperatures were largely the result of a strong El Niño superimposed on a decade in which temperatures continue to reflect a warming that largely took place in the first half of this century.
Observed global warming remains far below the amount predicted by computer models that served as the basis for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Whatever record is used, the largest portion of the warming of the second half of this century has mainly been confined to winter in the very coldest continental air masses of Siberia and northwestern North America, as predicted by basic greenhouse effect physics. The unpredictability of seasonal and annual temperatures has declined significantly. There has been no change in precipitation variability. In the United States, drought has decreased while flooding has not increased.
Moreover, carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere at a rate below that of most climate‐change scenarios because it is being increasingly captured by growing vegetation. The second most important human greenhouse enhancer — methane — is not likely to increase appreciably in the next 100 years. And perhaps most important, the direct warming effect of carbon dioxide was overestimated. Even global warming alarmists in the scientific establishment now say that the Kyoto Protocol will have no discernible impact on global climate.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


text:
We look through 1,000s of resumes a month. If you're making any of the mistakes below, you're likely being filtered out of job opportunities, even though they might be perfect for you.
Give yourself time to put together a really strong resume that truly highlights your value.
Use the Objective or Summary section of your resume to pull in keywords or buzz phrases from each individual job posting.
You might be perfect for a role, but if your resume does not properly showcase why you're the perfect fit, you're not likely to get a callback.
As more and more recruiting systems move towards automated sorting, it's important to format your resume to be filtered in the proper way.
Your professional experience should highlight the context of the companies which you have worked for.
Most internal recruiters are only going to spend 6-15 seconds with your resume to assess if you make it to the next level.
Providence Partners is ready to place the top 1% of tech engineers into new, satisfying careers in Texas.
Download the Engineering Resume
Download the Executive Resume
2020 Providence Partners. All rights Reserved.


text:
In order to facilitate the deployment of detector dog teams, regional Customs set detector dog management centers to provide resting, exercising, training and health care for detector dogs.
Taipei Customs Office Detector Dog Management Center is located at Tao Yuan National Airport, with kennels, training classrooms, day yards and handler offices.
Kaohsiung Customs Office Detector Dog Management Center is located at Yen-Chao Township, Kaohsiung County, with about 0.408 acres in area. Besides the office building, there are kennels, training classrooms, day yards etc. To cope with the increasing amount of its detector dog teams in the future, Kaohsiung Customs Office has taken the land of Feng-Yu military Camp from the army at Xiaogang District, Kaohsiung City, with about 1.63 acres in area. It will be built up as a new detector dog management center to substitute the original and smaller one.
Keelung Customs Detector Dog Management Center is located in Shiang-Feng street with kennels, day yards and handler offices.
Taichung Customs Detector Dog Management Center is located at TCS Detector Dog Breeding and Training Center (DDB&TC), with the office building, kennels and day yards provided by DDB&TC.
The deployment situation of the detector dog teams are as followings:
● Deployment Areas:airports, seaports, container yards, bonded warehouses, express areas and postal environments.
● There are 8~12 hours shift that detector dog teams carry out their duty. Besides the routine Proficiency Maintenance Training (PMT), they also conduct irregular and non-designated investigation on high-risk flight, passengers, vessels, import and export cargoes (containers), express cargoes and parcels by utilizing risk management and intelligence analysis.
● To meet its operational needs, the Detector Dog Breeding and Training Center can overall deploy the detector dog teams among regional Customs Offices to support drug detection.
Address: No.13, Tacheng St., Taipei City 103205, Taiwan, R.O.C. 🌏
TEL: 886-2-2550-5500 ext.2116 / FAX: 886-2-2550-7643
Office Hours:AM 08:30 to PM 12:30 ; PM 01:30 to PM 05:30 Monday to Friday
Service Counter:AM 08:30 to PM 05:30
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text:
For any person that would like to advertise their business as well as obtain additional consumers, putting up signboards in front of your shop is the first and also simplest thing that enters your mind. It sets you back much less and it gets the word out there. This is just what exterior marketing or out of residence advertising and marketing is all about. It assists businesses promote outside people?s houses. And even though it is most definitely less expensive than tv or print advertising, it does not compromise the advertisement?s exposure rate.
Outdoor Advertising and marketing, nevertheless, has actually been around for ages and also may be as aged as advertising and marketing itself. The concern is? Can marketers still trust this old and also conventional kind of advertising in this modern age?? The answer is? Yes as well as certainly.? Social network advertising like twitter, Google, as well as Facebook ads could show as an obstacle for the from house marketing industry. These ads have the ability to associate with audiences on a much more personal degree as well as marketers can take their ad in and also out of people?s houses. But advertising outdoors can still satisfy the challenge of the ever growing as well as creating world of modern-day innovation and the mobile generation of today.
This aged form of advertising and marketing has actually been constantly upgrading itself to integrate digital tools to get the audience?s focus. Utilizing Digital Outdoor Advertising, outdoor advertising and marketing develops an entire brand-new and amazing experience for their target audience. There are ads that react in genuine- time, advertisements that make use of increased fact, as well as ads that make use of 3D technology such as holograms! And outside ads aren?t also restricted to signboards anymore. Even Train Advertising is transforming digital by utilizing LED projectors on tunnels that passengers can watch through their windows.
The integrating and also using various techniques, devices and also systems is exactly what makes out of home advertising so efficient and also well-liked amongst advertisers. It enables great flexibility and also creativity for unique as well as attractiving ads. This flexibility also makes exterior marketing an ageless type of marketing and advertising. In spite of being the oldest form of brand advertising, this advertising method still knows ways to stay on par with the times.
An additional excellent benefit of exterior advertising is that many of the Outdoor Advertising and marketing Specialists deals cost range budget-friendly enough for little as well as big businesses alike. Whether you wish to utilize electronic media or otherwise is your option. All these advantages are the reasons most marketers prefer this form of tool of advertising and marketing. It is inexpensive, flexible and also gives a bunch of possibilities as well as possibilities for marketing professionals to develop advertising campaign that will generate good outcomes for their business.