Goodbye, Kingfisher, I think

This other migrant, the Common Kingfisher, seemed to have flown away.  It could perhaps be due to the constant human traffic and activities along and in the river that shortened its stay.  I have hoped that it would still be around till February or March when the migrant birds start to return home.  Fish was aplenty in the river for it, although, alas, the bigger fishes are also the target of people who frequent the river for fishing.
These were my last decent images of it on its usual perch.

And the last time I saw it was from afar, and I had thought that this could be its new perch.

Pitta moment

I was beginning to think that the Blue-winged Pitta has flown away after not having sighted it for almost two weeks.  The taman is truly an exception for local and migrant birds, plenty of food on the ground and in the trees, so it's no wonder migrant birds do stay if they are undisturbed.
It may be true that there are raptors around that do prey on the smaller birds but that's cycle of life.  What's difficult to accept is that man, the 'thinking beings' who are supposed to look out for these creatures can turn out to be the culprits who caused the destruction of habitat and most of all, guilty of illegal hunting.
Nevertheless I was thrilled to come across this little fella again and am very happy that it still displays much wariness when it senses human presence.  Its skittishness is indeed its saving grace.  Its sudden appearance always adds to the initial thrill of spotting it.

And then it quickly sensed that it was not alone.

And then caution further set in, and then it's like playing hide and seek with it.
Despite blocked, its striking colours drew admiration.

Still, cautious as ever - a bird does sense it when it's being watched, as like a human being!

And it's also amusing when one is caught out too!

Gorgeous, simple gorgeous! 

It looked like it knew for certain that it was spotted, then it scooted.  I say, good for it!

Confiding Cuckoo

Past images of the Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo were not too satisfactory even though I chanced upon the bird perching right in front of me.

But the morning it gave me some decent shots also revealed its confiding nature as it flew right before me, hardly five feet away to where I was actually photographing it on another perch, also convinced me that this one could be a migrant, still unwary of human presence.

A bulbul and his time alone

As I sat waiting for an appearance, any appearance, this Stripe-throated Bulbul flew in, gave me perhaps not a picture perfect image but plenty of 'food' for thought.

A Kite and its catch

The Brahminy Kite flew over and perched right before me, with a catch, which despite numerous shots I was still unable to ascertain what it is.  Poor morning lighting definitely did not help at all.  However, it looked like it could have dived for its catch because it was pretty wet.

And then it dropped it!

And could only look as it went straight down into the river below.

And then it saw me - well, it's certainly not my fault!!

And then returned to scan for it.

No luck, so it decided to fluff and dry.

It finally flew off but returned later to try to dry itself in the rising sun.

Spotted me again even though this time I was beneath some foliage - definitely living up to its sharp-eyed reputation, to say the least!