Javan Myna

 And here it was again, a colour aberrant Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) that was occasionally seen in the taman, unsure if it's always the same one, having outgrown its previous plumage.

As usual, a lone ranger foraging away from the other Javan Mynas.

One that was sighted in August last year.

Brahminy Kite

How low will it go - not low enough, and wishful thinking that it would even land.

Once upon a time a resident and a regular thereafter in the taman, until relentlessly mobbed by crows that would suddenly speed in to pursue it away.  

And strangely the crows are not even regulars here but would instantly appear when a raptor comes by!

Nevertheless a Brahminy Kite gliding above the taman always recalls heartwarming, and heartrending memories, and a feather picked up following that fateful incident remains as pristine today as the day it was found almost 10 years ago.

April 2017

November 2026

Asian Brown Flycatcher

 Regularity, predictability may be the middle name of the Asian Brown Flycatcher, but to see one again every year is to be not presumptuous.

It's one that had braved the elements to arrive here, indeed always an extraordinary feat, and lastly to outlast territorial challenges from local avians, and finally to return home safely.

Common Kingfisher

 Time when familiarity further fosters fondness, for one that's pretty predictable, pretty aural-detectable, almost.

And so, a speeding glint of blue, had me rush to locate where the Common Kingfisher had landed as it flashed past skimming the flowing water, and it turned out to be almost like trying to locate the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!

It seemed to have disappeared.

Then, unexpectedly, was found on a relief of sandy rocky spread that had defied gushing river water.

Lineated Barbet

 Hope this is not another foolhardy decision by one when the previous dwellers still return regularly, perhaps for future occupancy.

The Lineated Barbet had already excavated a beautiful hole - not easy as this portion of the tree trunk remained hardy, and the hole would certainly hold up well when ready.

Many days later, the infamous family of Black-thighed Falconets seen to return to lord over their old home.

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher

No apologies, merely my way - and one naturally, the other philosophically, separate ways.

Always, when a visitor cometh, literally flies down to you, impeded or not, one does not simply turn away!

 

Black-naped Oriole

 Perhaps too easily seen, most often dismissed - but how common is common, the Black-naped Oriole, our very own Oriolus chinensis.

That gorgeous yellow bird with striking pinkish beak - its sheer beauty not as easily captured as assumed.