I took me several trips to Saitama to finally see and capture a gold crest bathing (13 Dec). It was a cold and dark day. After waiting for several hours a flock of gold crests arrived. There were several of them in the surrounding trees but perhaps due to the fact that there were too many people around, only one dared to come down and bathe. When in the water it first looked at all the photographers carefully, but must have judged the situation safe enough as it took its time to bathe thoroughly.
I was shooting behind a bush and therefore could not kneel down to a better angle. I am not too happy with the images, but I was anyhow exited to see that tiny little bird in such a close distance. I am hoping to get another chance one day, but the holiday season is approaching and I need to wait for some time before I can make a trip to Saitama again.
長い間さいたまに通って、やっとキクイタダキの水浴びを見ることができました（１２月１３日）。寒くて暗い１日でした。午後キクイタダキの群れが近くに来てくれました。周りの木に何羽かいましたが、人が多い為でしょうか、一羽しか水に降りて来なかったです。まずは周りの人々をよく見て、恐らく安心と判断して、時間をかけて水浴びをしました。
座って、なるべく鳥と同じ目線で撮りたかったですが、茂みの後ろに立っていたから、上からのアングルで撮るしかなかったです。写真は満足していませんが、可愛くて、ちっこいキクイタダキを近距離で見れてドキドキしていました。もう一度チャンスに巡れたら嬉しいと思いますが、ホリデーシーズンが近づいているから、しばらくさいたまに行けそうもありません。
