Wednesday 20 October 2010

18/10/2010: Bandar PERDA (Penang)

I took a short visit to the paddy fields before work this morning and only the usual species were there to greet me. The number of Pond-herons is increasing rapidly as the migratory season is now in full swing.

This female Brown Shrike was quite tolerant to my presence and provided a few good images. I really fancy shrikes as a whole and it is certainly not because of their manners and grace. A bad attitude and predatory nature certainly goes a long way in my book.

I came across an immature Purple Heron standing right out in the open and that is something you don’t usually see the adults doing. Anyway, the green paddy stalks provided the prefect backdrop to show off this beautiful but shy water bird that will usually keep itself well hidden among the vegetation.

The White-throated Kingfisher is undoubtedly the commonest kingfisher around and very often, its brilliant colouration is taken for granted. Well, I can always count on it to brighten up a slow day at the paddy fields.

Yellow Bitterns are rather elusive by nature and I was delighted when I spotted a male bird on a slightly exposed perch. However, I was overwhelmed by a whole different feeling when I realized it had a broken wing. Before I could react, it moved deeper into the reeds and disappeared from sight. The law of the jungle applies to all living creatures and survival is always for the fittest. A bird with such any injury has a gloomy future and I was a little disheartened that I could not do anything for him.

3 comments:

Wong Tsu Shi said...

Stunning shot of the Brown Shrike!

Madibirder said...

Lovely shot of the brown shrike

Choy Wai Mun said...

Thanks Wong & Madi