Taman Rimba Kiara is a little green gem located in a corner of the TTDI residential area. The above flowering tree, the firmiana malayana or mata lembu, flashes in testimony to man's care-less-ness - it's one of only two trees in the park that had flowered, since then the tree had been chopped down.

Monday 22 April 2024

'Myna' worry, nayy

 The taman could proudly claim to have hosted umpteenth broods of Lineated Barbets over the years.

And the following are already familiar sights to one and all, both human and avian beings - feeding, clearing of the young's discharge, leaving the young behind as the parents go forage for food.  



And it looked like the parents certainly had no qualms leaving their young alone behind following feeding.

However, much later I was drawn towards the urgent and anxious distinct trills and calls of both parents perched close to the nest.

And then the reason was there for all to witness.

A raid by a very bold Common Myna that played no heed to the desperate calls of the Barbet parents.


And then strangely, the parents decided to leave in the midst of this raid, but I started to feel rather anxious now, as there were no cries from inside the nest to suggest the well-being of the young ones.

Suddenly, the Myna paused in its act, to scramble away.



It was a most speedy entry for the Barbet as it headed straight into the nest, and then, what a relief, I could hear then the young's characteristic clamouring.
The parent finally popped its head out, to leave again (not a graceful exit though!).



I guess it takes one avian to recognise the behaviour of another, and know that there was no imminent danger in the first place.  After all this pair of Lineated Barbets are surely not first time parents.


Sparrow's gain too

 The recent rain also delivered a fat bonus to this Eurasian Tree Sparrow.





Friday 19 April 2024

When rain is abundance

 Coming 'home' to the park after being away for longer than I would have liked, the numerous flooded patches of the park came as a surprise as I wasn't aware that the rain had been heavy and continuous.



And the Purple Heron that normally stays on the edge of the park certainly took advantage of the 'wetland' to venture down this far.


As my attention was suddenly overtaken by a splash of a Monitor Lizard slipping into the pond, I soon realised this must be why this avian fellow decided to move away into the adjacent shade and lingered a while there.




I supposed the successful catch of one of this pair of White-breasted Kingfishers must have pushed it to venture out again.



The water level to its legs suggested the depth of this flooded patch that was adjacent to the pond.


The lack of photo opp of this one going for a catch was more than made up by how stunningly the heron blended with its background, and such gorgeous colours! 


Not just the tree trunk but the grassy background was absolutely perfect too.


Moving on, to my surprise there was not one but two herons at the park, most uncommon, as I just about managed to flush this one out to take flight across the huge pond.



The grand display of agility as the Heron landed delicately on a palm frond.



And such can be the blessings of rain!


Loud but not the least 'foul'

 The Red Jungle Fowls are certainly the neighbours of the adjacent area that are more heard than seen. 

I supposed on this occasion these three thought it's pretty safe to venture out although they're ever alert that they're being watched, as evident in their behaviours even though I was pretty far off and behind barriers.

The head of the family that was crowing loudly and incessantly most of the morning.




And round the corner stood two young adults displaying wariness too.