Nesting Bulbul, Part I

With the taman practically a stone's throw away, I was surprised that the Yellow-vented Bulbuls still chose to nest in the Dracaena Fragrans or also commonly known as Corn Plant on my balcony.  It was thus not easy to capture images of the nest building as any movement I made, even behind my glass sliding door, would alarm the bird.
Nevertheless it afforded me an excellent opportunity relive the nesting moments (the bird has nested in the same plant a few years back).

The nest looked splendid and the bird looked like it was starting to roost.

And then I got the first sign that something could have gone wrong.

And indeed, yes, as the nest looked like it was slipping, to an awkward angle!

Still, the bird persisted even as it looked precarious, and eventually, it led to a failed nesting.
But I was pleasantly surprised it returned and rebuilt three months' later (to be continued in the next posting).

A water distraction

It's another welcome diversion when I zoom in to the fish in the river.  Yet another gorgeous lively resident.  It also attests to the fact that the river water is clean enough to support this water life.

A raptor visitor

It's not the migratory period so it came as a surprise to spot this Oriental Honey-buzzard in the taman.  It is a sub-adult.  So after a little research, I learnt that the adult raptors will migrate from Japan, Korea, Northern China and Southern Siberia about mid-September to be followed by the juveniles in late October to early November.  However, when the adults fly home in spring, the juveniles may stay back in countries like Malaysia and spend the summer.  Then they will make their first migration home in spring the following year.
An extract of The Singapore Bird Group offers a possible reason for this behaviour:
".... Could it be because of their diet? The larvae of bees, wasps and other insects may not provide enough fat for them to undertake two long migrations within a short period of six months? Since they are not ready to mate in their first three years, there is no point in making the risky journey back but instead spend the time to build up their strength and save energy."

Neverthless it was a close encounter with this one as it was perched low for me to admire it.

It prolonged its perch as it preened, and I couldn't have asked for more!

Self-absorbed squirrel

The fruit must be simply irresistible that the Plantain Squirrel did not mind my close proximity!  It simply went on to gnaw at it, foraged about and as I followed it, it was not the least concerned that I was so close by.  Definitely a lesson in self-absorption and concentration here!

Open the eyes, pause, and the taman offers more than just its fauna for one to appreciate.
The warm glowing yellow of this flower against the brilliant green sheen of its leaves certainly drew me closer for a prolonged admiration.

And then these hanging dry foliage, so easy to dismiss and ignore, look like leaves on fire, or harbouring burning amber!

Growing streamers of Drongo

Going through old images, I was glad to come across a couple of images, although not so sharp, of an immature Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and its just emerging streamers. 

I was lucky to capture too this set of images, as a comparison, that suggest that a Drongo does not grow its streamers evenly in length.
Another learning experience, another fascinating observation of an avian trait.

Almost obliging Triller

It's not easy to capture good images of the Pied Triller unless it's preening.  The taman has a pair of them but these birds are always on the move, and usually remain at middle level canopy.