A 'tiger' first

I really couldn't recall when I've recorded a Tiger Shrike passing its entire migrant season in the bukit, but this could possibly be a first.  

And when I left it and walked on, it must have decided to go the same way  for it suddenly flew in further down where I was loitering, hoping for always a significant sighting.

It was most obliging as I closed in as it simply sat there even as it observed me, and there could only be one reason.

And so it still remained and continued to keep its own watch.

Reminding myself to be watchful lest I missed the expected, but alas, all it took was a mere second look-away and ....

... there it was, further inward with a catch!

And then what else subsequently, but indulging in its characteristic habit after a meal.

One after the other

Avian feeding is always sought after for photo op, what more if it involves striking birds like the Black-naped Orioles no matter that one has to stay far away not to alert these hyper-sensitive birds.

No rush, as each took its turn to feed.

And then it's the other's turn to descend to take over.

And then this Spotted Dove thought it was its turn when the pair left but one wondered why it flew up past the luscious bunch to feed on a leftover one?!

As I was waiting

 

"How tail never gets in the way, ever!"

Not so 'sporting'

 My first encounter with the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher in the taman, and with one that's unfortunately not too keen to be seen, and promptly fled thereafter.

"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again."

Charles Dickens

 The tell-tale bulge albeit tiny could only mean that this one had just had its meal.

And its subsequent actions cemented my deduction, avian hygienic habit after a meal.

And then it's time to look for its mate, as it called out.

Getting no response, the Changeable Hawk-eagle glibly spread out and with nary a whiff flew neatly through the dense foliage in search.

The regulars

 On any walk up the bukit, the few migrants that will not fail to appear are the warblers, and on this occasion was the Arctic warbler.

And the Dark-sided and the Asian Brown Flycatchers that will be here for at least another couple of months.

And lately the female Green-backed Flycatcher has been making her presence felt too.

As natural as ....

 How could one not be heartened when one encounters something that is as it should be - White-thighed Surilis (Presbytis siamensis) feeding off leaves, their natural food, and not 'fake food' left behind by hill walkers.

The Surilis' diet is primarily young leaf shoots, seeds and forest fruits.

These primates are rarely seen alone, and as expected, there's more than one feasting.

As I was waiting

 Nature at its best - a stunning Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela cristatella) that could have been easily missed if it had not made a movement.

And a tail that's as long as it's colour is natural I couldn't fit in the frame despite backing off!

Charm amiss

 I do hope that the taman has not lost its charm as it has been incredibly uneventful and uninspiring lately with mere sporadic presence of resident avians and nary migrant visitors in sight.

Even the Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) hardly visited, this being its breeding season.

Lovely nonetheless

 The Green-backed Flycatchers (Ficedula elisae) seem to be more numerous this season than before as the familiar calls of the males dotted the bukit as I walked the road.

However all I could see was a female calling continuously at one spot.  Nevertheless it was a change from sighting only the male consecutively for the last couple of years.

when id is a breeze

 If only a warbler is always this easy to identify ....

... as this one as it turned its back, displaying its signature feature, then it's simply effortless to say ...  an Eastern-crowned Warbler.