Shrike and Flycatcher

The migratory season for birds escaping winter up north has truly started and the taman is beginning to see its fair share of such birds.  Because of the beautiful spread of trees and layout of the taman, the birds can be viewed at eye level, and they are truly gorgeous up close.

The Tiger Shrike was so confiding that I could have walked around it and almost touched it.  In fact, it was perched so unexpectedly low that I almost missed it.  Really cute and captivating up close, especially so with tiny raindrops over it!

Then I saw the Brown-streaked Flycatcher flying low for its prey, and then to perch close down for stunning images.  Such elegance!

A birder couldn't have asked for more!

A meal for the Serpent-eagle

A wet morning but looked like a most 'snakeful' morning for the Crested Serpent-eagle!  
     This fella was on the ground when I approached and had jumped up to the branch.  It took me by surprise when I saw what it had at its claws, and the snake was still struggling too!

A victorious mean look!

As if it was flexing its muscles before it started on its feast.

The snake clearly seen struggling.

Looked like it sensed my presence momentarily.  

Then it was a tug and a couple of swallows before the victim disappeared totally.

Did it look satisfied?

Yes, it did.

As it started to drizzle again, it flew right across to the other side of the stream where it started to preen, under the shelter of denser leaves.

Then the sun came out and this fella too came out into the open and the bright light gave it a different but nevertheless imposing stature! 

Looking fabulous even through a window of leaves!

Bravo, Wagtail!

It was so good to see this little Grey Wagtail again, assuming it's the same one I saw about three weeks ago.  I did wonder if this visitor would 'hang around' the taman during its migratory period here.
    Being a little fella at about 20 cm, it looked tiny on the rock in the stream, and it looked a little lost too.  It had me worried for a while as I thought it was injured as it lingered on the rock, at that one spot, looking rather vulnerable.
     And, a White-throated Kingfisher, slightly bigger at more than 10 cm the Wagtail's size, decided to play the local bully, shrieking and flying against the Wagtail, obviously trying to intimidate it.  However, this foreign feathered visitor hardly flinched as the Kingfisher almost brushed against it, which seemed to reinforce my worry that it was hurt and immobilised.
     However, when I raised my voice to point it out to another birder it suddenly took off, much to my surprise and thrill, indicating that it was well after all.

 

Antics of an Egret

Another TRK's very own entertainment - live from the taman, the taman's National Geographic channel!
Amusing, entertaining, absorbing, watch this Little Egret trying to fish.  One wonders why it did this in the gushing water when it could do so by the sand bar where fishes could be seen to swim leisurely!  Perhaps a bird needs a challenge from time to time!
    First it tried to this way, then ....

... it went about it the other way ....

... and to no avail!
And so it's drying up time before it flew off, which caught me by surprise, thus missing a timely shot!

Whilst just yards away, fishes swam at ease and blissfully!