Today, Sachi and I had planned to take a long bicycle ride from Ikebukuro to Shakuhi-Koen, a ride which we figure would have taken about an hour each way, at least. However, threatening rain made us change our plans, so we decided to do a little birdwatching at Kasai Rinkai instead. The main idea was to get out and get some exercise.

We took the Yurakucho Line to Shin-Kiba, and on a lark, decided to walk the rest of the way–just one station, after all. Of course, from Shin-Kiba to Kasai Rinkai is a huge walk, across a big river and in a non-populated area near Tokyo Bay. To add to the festive mood, it was drizzling throughout–refreshingly cool, but very damp and not too cheery.

After walking at least a few kilometers like this, I saw a bird which might have kicked off a great birdwatching day–a Eurasian Jay, right there in plain sight. I got out my camera, and promptly discovered that the battery was dead. I would have replaced it quick… but just then realized that when I had made a quick bag switch at home before leaving, I had neglected to take an extra battery with me. The first time I go birdwarching in a long time, I get a great bird right off the bat… and I find that I won’t be taking ANY photos today. I was royally pissed at myself.

Sachi and I walked through the park anyway, and of course, there were more birds, very close up even, than I have caught at the park in a long time–which did not make me feel better, of course. Then it started to rain harder, and our umbrellas were too small for the task. Plus, our feet were really tired.

To cap it al off, the soft drink machine at the train station was half sold out and the drink I was left getting was lukewarm. And then a group of thoroughly drunk college students were making complete asses of themselves just a few feet away, wrestling each other rowdily over the edge of the platform, almost falling off several times. The photo below catches them at one of their less idiotic times.

But hey, we got a lot of exercise, anyway….