Yes... another 5.30 breakfast, forcing down a toast and egg sandwich, it keeps me going. The visibility has never been clear since we've been here. Due to sugar cane burning in the north and general pollution elsewhere, especially in the cities. It's not unusual to see Thais wearing full face masks. They also wear large sunhats with all encompassing 'skirt' covering necks and lower face over the nose. A dark brown skin denotes a manual worker and lowers their status. Sunbathing westerners are a source of amazement.
To-day it was misty. Low fog hanging over the trees and valleys, reminded me of cold Autumn mornings, the dampness dripping off my hair. It was far from cold. Petac was again driving and guiding us in Kaen Krachang NP.
The first stop was before the steep climb began, a stake-out for Black-thighed Falconet. It wasn't long before this diminutive raptor was in the scope, very distantly and mist dulled. It then flew to a nearer dead tree, still too far for photos.
The first stop was before the steep climb began, a stake-out for Black-thighed Falconet. It wasn't long before this diminutive raptor was in the scope, very distantly and mist dulled. It then flew to a nearer dead tree, still too far for photos.
Crashing noises alerted us to a group of Hornbills in the area. Would they be photographable this time? Yes, to a less than wanted extent, it was still poor visibility and against the rising sun.
We also added Tickell's Brown Hornbills to the Asian Pied. Several of the birds seen in the next half an hour or so were new for Pam and I, including Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo.
 |
| Levitating Oriental Pied Hornbill |
We also added Tickell's Brown Hornbills to the Asian Pied. Several of the birds seen in the next half an hour or so were new for Pam and I, including Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo.
After several excursions, marching up and down the hill and back again, we reached the first campsite, where an Orange-breasted Trogon is nesting very near to the camping area.
No sign of the Trogon, a bird much desired by Jacquie.
A flurry of activity caught my eye. A troupe of Dusky Langurs having a lovely time. The youngsters were chasing about play-fighting, climbing trees, wrestling on the ground.
The adults, more circumspect, fed, whilst keeping an eye on the family's activity. One orange baby left its tree-top perch for the ground and its siblings,
before leaping for Mum's belly, where it hung on whilst she made for another area, running across to safety. Great fun to watch.
A flurry of activity caught my eye. A troupe of Dusky Langurs having a lovely time. The youngsters were chasing about play-fighting, climbing trees, wrestling on the ground.
The adults, more circumspect, fed, whilst keeping an eye on the family's activity. One orange baby left its tree-top perch for the ground and its siblings,
before leaping for Mum's belly, where it hung on whilst she made for another area, running across to safety. Great fun to watch.
Still no Trogon, we went to the restaurant for lunch. Cow Pat (Khao Phad) of course, fried rice with vegetables and chicken or pork. This was one of the tastier ones to-day.
Still extremely hot, 36C +, would the Trogon return? We could sit/stand in the shade. It wasn't long before the male Orange-breasted Trogon, a stunning bird, returned with a large cream-coloured insect in its beak.
Fifteen minutes later, the male was back with another similar insect. We were all frantically trying to get a sharp exposure of the bird in the shade and on a swaying branch. Another fifteen minutes...... both birds returned, the female with a creamy-coloured grub. the male with a green cricket.
Happy with the sightings, we dragged ourselves away, checking the gazebo for lizards. They'd had large Tokay lizards in the roof yesterday. Not to-day.
This is a small one we had in the resort. Pam had one fall in front of her whilst she sat on the loo in our room this morning. Adult males can be 40cms from head to base of tail.
On the hill out of camp, Petac came to a halt, gesturing upwards. A Blue-bearded Bee-eater was perched with its back to us, high above.
We also saw Red-bearded Bee-eaters, one of my favourite bird families.
A longish park under the trees at the edge of the road brought great reward. Neil has never seen five species of Broadbills and a Banded Kingfisher during the one trip before. Broadbills are stunning birds, colourful, elusive and chunky. We saw: Black and Red, Long-tailed, Banded, Black and Yellow and Dusky. I have one photograph of a bird silhoutted... haven't worked out which one yet, probably Dusky.
A long drive to the top reaches ensued, a quest to add Ratchet-tailed Treepie to the trip list, a lifer for all four of us. Pam and I had two flying by before retiring to the pick-up, the others went on for much more distant views of more flying birds far below.
We'd asked for a shorter day, it was time to begin the return journey. Sitting inside the truck did not give Pam - in the back seat - good views without gymnastics. The Bees and Neil seated in the open body because they were able to climb up and over the tailgate, had very good views. I was in the front so did better than Pam. The Orange-headed Thrush showed again roadside, in the twilight. They're skulking birds too.
No comments:
Post a Comment