I arrived at the car park of this recreational forest just after dawn and I found that I was not the only one that was up and about. This Crested Serpent-eagle was already contemplating what to have for breakfast from a vantage point at the edge of the car park.
And so was this Finsch’s Bulbul. Although the lighting was still quite dim, the yellow throat was clear enough for me to make a proper identification.
I decided to take the trail up Gunung Bintang and the weather condition was much better than I had expected considering the previous days of rain back in Penang . Although the trip was great in terms of birding, photography was another let down. The Maroon Woodpecker, Rufous-collared Kingfisher and Orange-breasted Trogon provided tantalizing glimpses but not photographic opportunities. And don’t even get me started on the 3 species of Hornbills (Wreathed, Rhinoceros and Helmeted) that I managed to record during this trip.
If your ear drums haven’t experience the far-carrying territorial call of the Siamang before, then I guess you haven’t been to a Malaysian forest because it is certainly one of the most diagnostic and loudest sounds produced by any animal found there.
Around midday, I decided to call it a day and made my way home. However, I made a quick visit to Penanti as it was along my way back. As usual, I was greeted by the loud and distinctive calls of the resident Red-wattled Lapwings.
The Blue-throated Bee-eaters provided the photography highlights for the day.
I found a few sub-adults in the vicinity as there are still traces of its juvenile plumage and the elongated central tail feathers were not yet fully developed.
They may be called Bee-eaters but here in Penanti, I guess Dragonfly-eaters would be the more appropriate name…
And this is how you enjoy a Dragonfly for lunch….
3 comments:
Nice new look to your blog Mun! Are you sure those gibbons were Siamangs? Can't be sure from your pic but I'd say it doesn't look stocky enough. Could it have been an Agile Gibbon?
Cheers
Dave
I'm not sure, Dave. I assumed it was a Siamang because it was almost completely black. I guess I really need to brush up on my mammals' id. Unfortunately, I just took one shot as it was way up in the canopy.
Great photos as always! I can understand your trip. I just spent over a week in Sarawak Borneo, great birding but due to the rain and shy birds, almost no video and photos.
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