The resident Kingfisher

It was a good catch for this White-throated Kingfisher on a windy rainy morning.  It tried to knock off and gulp down the huge insect, unfortunately to no avail, and then it flew off when a squirrel came scurrying down towards it, thereby depriving me a closure shot to these images.

Close encounter for ckf

It's always an absolute delight to come across and shoot the Common Kingfisher because it's not easy to approach it without a hide.  Furthermore, this one will be around for only a couple of months before it flies home.  And this morning it gave me ample opportunity to view it for it perched unusually long, for almost 30 minutes, for me to admire and shoot at leisure.  Yet I'm kicking myself for a missed opportunity shoot!

A moment inattentiveness and I lost the opportunity to get sharper images of the Monitor Lizard swimming sinisterly past this Kingfisher.  Nevertheless this moment did make my heart miss a beat, that the Lizard might just lash out and poof, our little friend could be gone in a jiffy!

Here was hoping it would fly off soon enough before the Lizard came back for a second chance, and my God, our little friend seemed unconcerned as it dallied a little longer before it flew off.  Phew! Sure hope it knew what it was doing!

The Lizard seen to linger by the opposite side of the river bank as the Kingfisher flew off.

Gorgeous gorgeous Magpie Robin

Had another delightful encounter with this gorgeous Oriental Magpie Robin.  It may be one of the most common birds in the taman, but it's not easy to come across one with such pristine white and stunning deep blue colours.
And I wonder if this bird is used to being photographed now!?  After all, it did pose for awhile undeterred by my presence.
Anyway, this bird, unfortunately, is a favourite of poachers.

Blue-tailed and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters

It's the season again for Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, and they are really everywhere, even down to the ground, not a common thing though.   They have been seen since October.  
About 30 cm, these birds are common winter visitors that frequent open habitats like house gardens and parks.  They go after insects naturally, and small fish too.

Perching at eye-level when taman visitors are not close by.

Its natural perch up high on a tree.

This one came down to perch on a fallen branch and was seen swooping close to the grass for prey.

The 'White-throated'

I may have dozens of images of the White-throated Kingfisher but when this fella presented himself I couldn't resist the shot.  If ever there is an image that displays perfectly the white throat this must be it!

A newcomer Flycatcher?

Each time I see an Asian Brown Flycatcher I wonder if it's different from the one before.  It's truly the Flycatcher season as it's not difficult to spot one in the taman.

Sit, Woodpecker

Ever wonder if birds sit?  It's a pity I couldn't get better views of these Common Flameback Woodpeckers to answer with certainty!

A motley collection

A morning walk can garner a great harvest of sightings, or it cannot.  So this is as it, seen from far and near.

And then this Crested Goshawk concluded my morning walk as the sky threatened to pour, even as this bird was trying to dry its feathers after a wet night.