The main water course through Kyoto, divides the traditional entertainment districts of Pontocho and Gion.
For locals and tourists alike it is the "heart" of kyoto. In summer many people gathering along it's banks both day and night to socialise and to try to escape the heat and humidity.
The area around Sanjo-ohashi (Sanjo Bridge) is a particularly favorite spot.

I have no idea what the bird featured here is called - but... if it had a staring contest with a brick 10 to 1 odds the brick would lose...
... OK thanks to Michelle Rhea - looks like it's a "Black Crowned Night Heron" (not the longer necked "Japanese Night Heron"), fairly common in the northern hemisphere, completely unknown to an antipodean such as me.

Please feel free to comment and/or vote.