Cutia The North Thailand Star Bird - Day 2

We off to Doi Lang on Day 2 before sun rise so that we will arrive our sestination when the birds are most active.

We stop by at a convenient store to grab some snacks and drinks. Just realised that Chinese New Year is coming soon. The Chinese New Year greetings appear on some of the bottled drinks in this Land of Smile!

Just in time to see this shy Mountain Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytchii) feeding under the vegetation.

Another great sight at Doi Lang is the presence of large conifers plants including this pine tree.

We stop by a fruiting tree that attracted lots of birds. One of them is the Red-crowned Barbet (Megalaima rafflesii)

Another bird species that worth mentioning is this Cutia (Cutia nipalensis). What a big surprise to see this bird here. When you try to look for them, they are no where to be found. Thanks for this fruiting tree and they make a quick appearance before they are gone again.

One of the must see sun bird when coming to North Thailand is this Mrs. Gould's Sunbird Sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae)

Another "star" bird of this trip is this Ultramarine Flycatcher (Ficedula superciliaris). This bird return to the same spot that I first saw it last year!

We spent another few minutes with this flycatcher before we head for lunch just outside the national park.

We have papaya salad & fried rice. Is certainly an enjoyable experience birding at this wonderful place. We will continue our birding later in the afternoon... (to be continued)

2016 North Thailand Trip - Day 1

Ever since I first visited Chiang Mai few years ago, visit this part of Thailand during their winter has become my annual affair. The weather here during winter is just what I like the most. Not too cold, people here are friendly, good food and of course lots of nice place to visit!

Chiang Mai International Airport provide direct access to North Thailand hence cut down at least 8 hours of travel time by road from Bangkok.

After we left airport, Khao Soi (Thailand's curry noodle) is the first thing is what we are after! Available only at North Thailand, how can we not have it for lunch.

 I have Khao Soi Gai, chicken curry noodle. The noodle also come with beef and pork.

Doi Ang Khang is our next destination after our lunch. We stop by an canal and saw my 1st bird of our trip - Wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) This is also my lifer or new species of bird that I have not seen before. Guess is a good start of my birding in 2016.

 One of the many temple that we saw along the way...

We were greeted by this beautiful lady in traditional attire at the entrance of the Doi Ang Khang Royal Agriculture Station.

 Cherry blossom is at full bloom!

Japan is one of the country to visit to experience Cheery Blossom blooming but not the only one. Thailand is another country that one should not miss during this period.

 Lots of other flower & plants in the garden too!

What a beautiful background to have couple shots!

While in the garden, this Red-throated flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla) trying to get my attention. From branch to branch and sing quite loud too.

 This Slaty-blue Flycatcher (Ficedula Hodgsonii) quietly perch at a corner.

At times the garden was quite crowded, that did not stop this Grey wagtail from finding food on the grass.

 We cross over to the market just beside the garden.

This is one good place to buy all kind of nuts & preserved fruits. I bought my almond nuts from here too.

 Wine of special flavor is available for those who wants to try something different.

We leave Doi Ang Khang just when the sun is setting. Doi Ang Khang, what a beautiful place to visit and re-visit again.

Semakau Inter-tidal Walk

It was more than 2 years ago when I last visited Pulau Semakau before the closure for the work on 2nd phase of the last landfill of Singapore.

This time round, I'm happy to be able to share all the beautiful wildlife of Semakau shore with our Emeritus Senior Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong.

This photo was taken after the walk... wefie time!  :)

A very familiar trail that we have to go through before reaching the shore.

The fun begin the minute we hit the shore. Common sea star can be seen everywhere on the shore which is very uncommon over the main land Singapore.

Is the season of Sargassum seaweed during this time of the year. Large part of the shore are covered with them.

Is good to see so many sea cucumber around.

Another snake like sea cucumber that we saw taking shelter over the Sargassum seaweed - Synaptid sea cucumber

Upsidedown jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.) is also in season. Saw many of them almost every few steps.

Saw this very bright colour Carpet anemone.

This Hairy crab can camouflage very well be it under water or on dry land.  When under water, their hair will break their outline so that they don't look like a crab!

This Noble volute is laying egg.

We also saw quite a number of nudibranch such as Polka-dot nudibranch, Gymnodoris & Bohol nudibranch.

Another real "Star" attraction is this Knobly sea star. They are no longer found on main land due to over collection by beach goer.

Managed to find 'Nemo'! We still have  wild clown fish in Singapore. Semakau is one of the place you can see them without getting wet with your dive suit/tank.

There are huge & soft. Used to see it when I was diving and is now expose during low tide.

Cuttle fish! So cute to see them swimming in the water.

When you see red colour... Warning! This red egg crab can not be consumed and their toxin will not be destroyed with heat (after cooking).

The sun about to set as the tide return... another great day on our shore.