Saturday, August 25, 2018

Changeable Hawk Eagle Taking Shower

We expect rain but didn't expect such a heavy rain when we decided to come to Thailand during the month of August. Well, I guess is just blessing from the sky. We get to witness some rare sighting in Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctuary!
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
We spotted this Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus) just as the rain started to pour from the sky. The bird looks stunned too and is definitely not the good time to hunt for food.
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
After few short flight, the eagle decided to embrace the rain.
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
Instead of wasting energy looking for food in the heavy storm, the eagle spread her wing in the rain.
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
 The eagle is taking shower in with the rain water.
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
 The eagle spread her wing to the max and let the rain water washes every inch of her feathers.
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
 The eagle spread her wing for more than 10 minutes until the rain subside.
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
 The eagle is totally enjoying the rain!
Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
Look so fresh after the shower. After preening, the eagle is good to go again.

Friday, August 24, 2018

Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctury

As soon as we are out of the Arrival Hall of Bangkok Airport, we head to the direction of North East to Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctury.
Since, it will be at least another 4-6 hours away we stop by Uthai Thani  to buy some local fruits to eat along the way.
We bought some longan
and rambutans.
Besides fruits, we also stop for lunch. We have this vege with Japanese tofu.
Spice pork with eggplants
and egg omelette to go with Thai Jasmine rice.
We finally arrive at Huai Kha Kheang after the long drive.
Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctury
This is not my first time here, however I don't remember seeing this building before. Is the newly built visitor center.
Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctury
 Can't wait to check it out what we will find for this trip.
Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctury
The last time when I visit here, is their drought period in the summer and appear very dry. This time round is during their monsoon raining period.
Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctury
The plant here looks so lively during this wet season. The sky quickly turn gloomy and follow by heavy rain. We have no choice but pause our birding temporarily. Hopefully more things to see after the rain...

Friday, August 10, 2018

Birding at Chinese Garden

With summer at northern hemisphere slowly slipping away, which means we should be expecting the return of the migratory birds back in Singapore soon. Is time to be out in the field to look out for them. I usually go to Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG) to look for the sign of their arrival, but I go to Chinese Garden this time instead.
Pink Neck Green Pigeon
The 1st bird that welcome me is this female Pink Necked Green Pigeon.
Pink Neck Green Pigeon
Hiding behind the bush is the male with the distinctive pink neck. Is the male more shy than female?
Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa latipes)
Carpenter bee is busy collecting pollen from flower to flower.
Olive Backed Sunbird
Spot this female Olive Backed Sunbird preening with the cover of thick foliage.
Grey Heron
I guess landing on the top of the tree need some practice?
Purple Heron
Compare to Grey Heron, I find Purple Heron more attractive and elegance.
Pacific Swallow

Pacific Swallow
These 2 are Pacific Swallow and not the migratory Barn Swallow.
Collared Kingfisher
This pair of Collared Kingfisher keep showing me their back. Each time I move to the front, they will turn their back on me. What a shy bird... haha
Collared Kingfisher
Like many of us, we just don't feel comfortable with others watching while having our meal. So as this pair of kingfisher.
Grey Heron
This Grey Heron stay as still as a statue waiting for the fish to swim nearer to her direction.
Changeable lizard
This Changeable lizard is feeding on the ants on the tree trunk.
Plantain Squirrel
What a cute Plantain Squirrel feeding on the grass.

Still no sign of any migratory birds yet, they should start to come in in the following week or so. I will try another park next week hope to see my favorite Asian Paradise Flycatcher again.