The Mejiro and the Sakura

While taking a walk in Ueno park the other day I spotted a small flock of Mejiro (Zosterops japonicas) scouring a flowering sakura tree. This the kind of photo opportunity I dream of every spring so to get the chance to see it in person was a great happy coincidence for me. The little bird is my second most favorite bird in Japan, and obviosly the pink sakura is my favorite flowering tree. The name of this bird, Mejiro, literally translates as White Eye, due to the white circle around the eye of the bird. It has also given its name for one of the train stations on the Yamanote circle line, Mejiro Station (目白駅). Right now is pretty much the peak of the sakura season here in Tokyo, but if you fear you might miss it I hear that is only just starting in nearby Odawara City.