I
reached the freshwater swamp forest of Air Hitam Dalam just in time to catch a blazing
sunrise. However, the scenery could not keep me captivated for long because the
dawn chorus was exceptional and most came from the dimly lighted undergrowth of
the forest. For a small bird, the Ashy Tailorbird can be surprisingly loud. I
am sure that this male was foraging but he was singing from the top of his
lungs the whole time. The shooting condition was truly testing and the active
nature of this little fellow did not help with my photographic attempts at all.
But I am happy with the results of some of my images.
Competing
with the tailorbirds this morning were the Abbott’s Babblers with their
persistent whistling. Their cheerful song is a pleasant offering to my sense of
sound and an individual that alighted on a slightly exposed perch provided the
only photographic opportunity for the encounter.
The
migratory Brown Shrike, on the other hand, preferred a well-lighted environment
from which to hunt breakfast. This feisty winter visitor certainly took notice
of my intrusion and its uneasiness put a stop to my intentions of trying to
reduce the distance between us.
And
when it comes to being skittish, very few open country birds can rival the
Black-capped Kingfisher. Splendid in appearance but shy in nature, distant
images like this one is what one will usually end up with at the end of it all.
Anyway, fishing was good at that particular spot and the kingfisher returned to
the same perch after several successful dives. I sat comfortably in a gazebo
across the river and enjoyed the encounter despite unable to obtain any good
images.
While
the Black-capped Kingfisher was well on its way to concluding breakfast, this
lone Pond-Heron was still resting above the swamp forest watching life go by.
Hunger will soon kick it and it will join the rest of its kin in the adjacent
paddy fields.
Flocks
of Asian Openbills were making their way from their roost to their feeding
areas and this is a regular sight for the location each morning. Two of these
unique storks descended onto the muddy river bank to feed and since I was
reasonably close by, they had my momentary attention.
A
House Crow contemplating who to torment on this sunny Saturday morning as it
perched on the top of the forest canopy.
Timid,
medium-sized raptors are usually on the receiving end of the harassment and a
Brahminy Kite certainly fits the bill.
My
last visit here was back in October last year and the landscape appears to be teeming
now. It could be just a case of absence making the heart grow fonder but the
refreshing ambience was much welcomed nevertheless.
I
noticed that certain sections of the boardwalk have undergone some
refurbishment. Every effort taken to maintain this site deserves some
acknowledgement and the black pillars do somewhat standout.
Not
everyone shares my sentiment for the pillars and one of the locals still prefers
the feel of unpainted concrete. Plaintive Squirrels continue to thrive here and
a big number was seen as usual.
A
rather confiding butterfly greeted me as I started to explore beyond the
boundaries of this reserve. However, a nearby tree dead appeared to be a centre
of bird activities and my interest was immediately diverted – naturally.
I
soon realized that all the avian movements that caught my eye were the doings
of a pair of Sunda Woodpeckers and this riverside dead tree seemed to have
their undivided attention. I find these minute woodpeckers to be adorable and today,
they performed much longer than I anticipated. Not that I am complaining.
They
appeared to be enjoying the moment as much as I with constant breaks to rest
and preen in between foraging.
The
Sunda Woodpecker can be accommodating at times and this is certainly one of
those times. The pair was slightly backlighted and there was no way to improve
my position without wading into the river and brave God knows what that may be lurking
beneath the murky water. Adorable can only take you so far in my book and the
status of the Sunda Woodpecker could not warrant such a drastic course of
action.
Barn
Swallows occasionally swooped in for a rest on the same tree and their presence
did not bother the foraging pair at all.
On
another dead tree, a Lineated Barbet was proclaiming its territory vocally. The
direction of the light may be much better but it was a taller tree. This,
ladies and gentlemen, is the joy of wild bird photography. Most things are beyond
your control and you just have to roll with the punches.
All
was not lost when a bird suddenly alighted nearby and it turned out to be a
female Common Flameback. Like the Sunda Woodpecker, it is a common species as
well but that did not stop me from taking the time to admire her striking beauty.
The
dead trees in this vicinity somehow seemed to be drawing in the birds and I
lingered in the vicinity hoping for more. The next bird, glided in gracefully
with its incredibly long tail trailing behind. I know very well that the
Green-billed Malkoha is usually restless especially when out in the open. This
tree was especially branchy and prevented unobstructed images to be obtained.
But this stunner is always a mesmerizing bird to come across regardless of any
conditions.
I
was about to call it a day when I walked past the usual roosting tree of the
resident Spotted Wood-Owls. Despite their enormous stature, the dense foliage can
hide them well. Well enough to get the better of yours truly on a few
occasions. Today, I could only locate one bird and the gaps in the vegetation were
my only window to observe this nocturnal hunter. But every daytime encounter with
an owl never ceases to amaze and thrill.
Just
in case you are wondering, the title of this post has absolutely nothing to do
with the birds nor birding on that day. At the time of writing, the Malaysian
government declared partial lockdown again with about two months to go before it
is one year since the coronavirus spread its way into our lives and every Malaysian
had to endure a lockdown for the very first time. So, it is back to square one
and I do not have the faintest idea when this order will be lifted again. Hopefully
everyone does what they are supposed to do and we can once again live (and go
birding) with unconditional freedom.
