Barbet at ease

I suppose I can safely say that the pair of Lineated Barbets seem more at home now in the taman, simply because they're all over the place compared to being confined before to certain parts of the taman.  And especially when I spotted this one, for the first time, on the ground.

However, alert as before, it took off before I could approach closer.

A Leafbird 'appetiser', and butterfly

I guess most birders were looking forward to walk the parks and forest edges again after the MCO, hoping that that elusive bird has emerged when human beings disappear, and perhaps it's still about the places.
Sadly it was not to be with the taman so up the bukit I went.  Bird songs greeted me, and a little tip from the guard also spurred me on.  However it was just that - the bukit looked fresh and inviting and bird songs remained what they were.
I'm reminded of what I told myself during the MCO, be grateful the birds are still there, momentarily just not in sight.  
So I have to content with merely one notable sighting, the momentary appearance of the Blue-winged Leafbird, triumphant with an insect catch and a fruit harvest.  I'll have to treat this sighting as an appetiser then, hopefully there'll be future delectables!

Nevertheless I was rewarded too with gorgeous blooms like this, visited by an equally gorgeous swallowtail butterfly, the Papilio Polytes, or Common Mormon.

A Fantail ending, Part III

One week later and the young one is ready to take off, which it did the very next day.  But just before it did, it was out and about, almost.

Flexing and stretching whenever it could.

And walking round the nest.

Feeding continued but it looked like the parent intentionally lured it so that it's now standing out on the nest to feed.

Looked like another playful, or training session.

All that continuous stretching and calling for food must be truly tiring!

And a parent/juvenile moment to cherish - tenderness personified.

And so the little one continued to preen, flex and flap when it was alone.

And elsewhere where it ends for some, life has just begun for this one.

The Malaysian Pied Fantail is a common garden bird although it can also be found in mangroves and edge of lowland forests.  It got its name due to its distinct behaviour of constantly fanning out its tail (no prize for guessing!).

And the Fantail story continues, Part II

Just when I was wondering whether both parent birds would appear together, the opportunity unfolded.

And then the other one left to hunt for food.  A growing bird is always a demanding one and this parent too left eventually.

And then one parent returned but without food. Nevertheless a parent's presence always has a calming effect.

... until the other parent returned with food.

 Looked like until the young could fledge, moments like these would be a plenty.

And the parents going to and forth with feeding.

Moments when all was relatively quiet ....

... and the young one calmer, nevertheless always hungry

A brief respite for this parent.

And do not under-estimate this feisty 'cili padi' of a bird as it showed its aggressiveness when it spotted me, flying threateningly just inches away, and then shockingly right up and on to a small dog that passed by on leash.

By the time, I returned to this family days later, the juvenile was ready to fledge ... so on to the last instalment and posting.