As I was passing by

 'Smile, and the world smiles with you'

A cuckoo sighting, still

It's simply one of those occasions when all you can do is say 'this is it!', and 'only for the record' merely to console oneself.   It's the Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus), if not for its distinctive call, would not have given away its presence.

I could only look hopelessly from afar as it refused to descend or afford a more open view.  This bird which is of Least Concern status can be seen in open country areas and forest edge.  In fact it has been sighted before in TRK, also from a distance.

Perhaps it's the time of the morning when steady flow of human traffic was not conducive for it to descend but nevertheless it's great to know that it does make occasional appearance in this area.

 

As I was passing by

Lovely wild mangosteen flowers

BK birds by night

 I was absolutely thrilled when Steven Wong aka the Frogman, Bukit Kiara's very own herpetologist made known that he has a collection of birds captured during his night venture and research up and about the hill, I couldn't wait to lay my hands on these images.

And what a stunning collection, birds that we are familiar with by daylight now take on the night hues.

And with all gratitude I happily add these to my record of avian count for the bukit which now exceeds 80 including both local and migrant birds.

And so with special thanks to Steven, I am most delighted to parade these birds as follows:

The nocturnal ones looking truly at home, the time of day or rather night when they are naturally out - the Barred Eagle Owl and Buffy Fish Owl, notwithstanding that these birds have been sighted occasionally during the day by lucky hikers and cyclists.

This Oriental Scops Owl is definitely a gem of a find, and I've only ever being merely 'lucky' enough to hear and glimpse its presence in the dark too, shortly following Steven's sighting.

A terrific encounter with the Large-tailed Nightjar on two different perches.

Beautiful shots of sub-adult birds like the Common Emerald Dove and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo looking sufficiently relaxed, unperturbed and settled into the night.

Also captured were some migrant birds - Brown Shrike, Green-backed Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and perhaps a Dark-sided Flycatcher. 

And so that's how birds sleep!!

One of the best prized captures must be the Blue-winged Pitta that could be heard in numerous places during the day but has so far eluded my camera despite one being mere feet away (responding to a playback call)!

Once again, my deepest appreciation to Steven for his fantastic collection.  And here's hoping that he keeps them coming!

Recollection - Striated Heron

 The Striated Heron (Butorides striata) is one of the permanent residents of the taman, usually seen alone, easily missed as it can keep perfectly stationary as it eyes a catch, blending perfectly into the background.

I've come across this loner, not necessarily the same bird, a young adult, adult, adult with breeding plumage, mainly along the river.

A welcomed barbet distraction

 Haven't seen one for a while, I was simply delighted when this one flew in, flitted around, but was gone in seconds.

And I'll take it anyhow it looked too, against unfavourable lighting.  It was also one of those moments when one was expecting the target bird to appear at any time and reluctant to shift focus, except that this Coppersmith Barbet was practically  asking to be photographed appearing just metres overhead.

Recollection - Asian brown flycatcher

 When the hill and the park are alive mainly with the sound of heavy footsteps, human cackles and grating wheels, it's a pause, for Recollection.

It's not easy at all to differentiate the ubiquitous Asian Brown Flycatchers that are sighted almost everywhere during the recent 2021/22 avian migratory season.

I've managed to gather together these six which were spotted at different locations and time, in the bukit as well as the taman, but can't be sure at all if any of these were one and the same at any time.

Upon revisiting these images, I missed capturing one with its side profile which means that only five (out of the six above) are featured here.

As I was passing by

Enjoy your meal!

 

As I was passing by

Not just sitting pretty, for it soon did what it did best, forage.

 

Recollection - the serpent-eagle

 When a big one suddenly flew right across my windscreen as I turned the corner to exit the highway, across the road to the other side into the oil palm estate, it was enough but to offer me a quick glimpse of streaked purplish (?) underparts on wings and body that all I could say was 'Whoa!'

And as this image continued to flash through my mind as I drove on, all I could think of was perhaps it was a young Crested Serpent-eagle as this was the bird that I commonly encountered on this stretch of the road, always not one but at least two.

Googling for images of the juvenile of this bird failed to produce much as the serpent-eagle's nest and young are not so easily sighted compared to that of the crested goshawk or brahminy kite.  

With these thoughts and the purplish hues that continued to play on my mind, it  made me recollect that once many years ago I came across a sub-adult serpent-eagle right in the taman that bore 'purplish bluish' hues but these were on the upperparts.  (I guess I would never be able to id that bird whose sudden appearance and streaks will always stay with me.)

And those were the days when the birds, big or small in the taman, did not fight so shy of human presence.  

With my point and shoot then, I could stand right in front of this sub-adult and snap away without frightening it off.

It had come down to drink and I was merely meters away.

All it did eventually was to fly up and looked back to where I was.

A flowerpecker's agitation

 It called and called and called, and there was no response.

I didn't have to look too far when I heard the calls of the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker as one soon appeared, a female, not an easy catch though as it foraged busily 'down under'.

But it was the male that was calling and I couldn't locate it yet. 

And then it went up, still not heeding the continuous calls.  Perhaps it preferred its own catch.

And finally the male came into view, a very patient one as it looked like it was still trying to get to the female.

I would be hoarse by now!

And all it could do was watch the female flit (or flirt?) around.

A little 'me' time as it puffed and fluffed, or ruffled (as in losing patience?).

A bait, but no taker.

So all mine then, and a good cleaning after.

And that was it, as the female had left the scene.

Just another day

 We were simply not in sync.

You flew when I looked away.

You sat whilst I looked, and waited and waited.

Nevertheless, even though I didn't catch your 'dollar', you were still worth the wait.

Till we meet again.

As I was passing

A brief encounter with an immature Pin-striped Tit-Babbler