Thailand Birding Trip March 2012 - Day 2

On the second day, we arrived at the outskirt of Mae Wong National Park at 12.30 after mid-night. It was a long journey by car from Bangkok International Airport after picking up Chris Li (he arrived half day later) at 8.30 evening . We quickly settled down into a small resort and went into the "sleep mode" because the morning call was scheduled 4.30 am. At 6am we were already at the park HQ, the ranger greeted us at the gate. We were the first car into the Mae Wong National Park. It was about 30km from the park HQ to camping ground at Chong Yen.

The first target for the day was the very shy and "secretive" Rusty-naped Pitta. We got news that a pair of the Rusty-naped Pitta was very active near a small stream at a forest trail.

Getting ready for some actions

I was very excited when I saw a male Rusty-naped Pitta came and perched on a mossy rock in front of my blind.

Rusty-naped Pitta (male)

Rusty-naped Pitta (male)

After the male dis-appear into the forest, here come the female:

Rusty-naped Pitta (female)

Happy faces after getting the Pitta :

After we got our star bird, we moved to bird at the trail leading to Chong Yen and Chong Yen camp site.

Stripe-breasted Woodpecker

Velvet fronted Nuthatch

Grey-chinned Minivet

Blue Whistling Thrush

At the Chong Yen camping ground :

Some other species that I managed to photographed at Umphang Trail.

Black-throated Laughing-thrush

Small Niltava

White-neck Laughing-thrush

White-tailed Robin

Thanks for reading.

Thailand Birding Trip March 2012 - Day 1

On 15th to 18th March, I embarked on a 4 days birding trip to Thailand. Throughout the 4 days, I travelled a total distance of 1200 km covering the birding site such as Bang Ban, Mae Wong National Park, Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctuary, Pak Chong and Khoa Yai National Park.

I landed at Bangkok airport at 9.30 am on 15th March and by 10 am I was at gate 6 waiting for Guide A. After meeting Guide A, we headed to the first location, Wat Chaleam Phra Kiat. The main target was the Spotted Owlet.

Spotted Owlet (Adult)

Spotted Owlet (Juvenile) in the nest

Spotted Owlet (Juvenile) in the nest

At noon, I was done photographing the Owlet and decided to head to Bang Ban. Bang Ban is located at close proximity to the historical site of Ayutthaya. The main targeted species was the Pied Kingfisher. I was there 2 years ago and managed to get the Kingfisher as my lifer. For this trip, I was aiming to get some improvement shots.  

Lunch at Bang Ban
The fresh water prawn

Guide A and Quek from Singapore

After finishing lunch, we went to set up our gears at a blinds near the river.

It was hot and humid inside the blind

Female Pied Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher

Thanks for viewing.

Landscape and Street Photography

Since September last year, I had a long paused from active birding. During this period, I devoted most of my leisure time doing street and landscape photography. I bought a new Leica M system to shoot street and a Xpan II to capture panoramic landscape. Here are some of my photos collections :

Devotee

Leica M9P 50 Summicron

Splash

Leica M9P Biogon 25mm

Street Massage

Leica M9P 50 Summicron

Dawn

Xpan II 45 mm Kodak Gold 200

Sunrise 

Xpan II 45mm Kodak Gold 200

Thanks for viewing.

Mangrove Pitta

March 4th 2012. I took a long paused from birding. This morning, I was invited to join my birding friends at Air Hitam Dalam. We were lucky to see 3 Mangrove Pitta.

Thanks for viewing.