Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Orange-headed Thrush

When I was pushing myself hard during hiking, my pair of ears were always kept wide open, to be alert of the surrounding, and to catch up with any whisper of the trees, but my pair of eyes were only stayed focus at the trail, just to watch my steps.

My ears did not help this time, but my eyes caught something moving in front of me, on the ground, and then flew to the bushes.

It was no way for me to spot this Orange-headed Thrush if it just stayed quietly in the bushes. And it was 7:20am in the morning, inside the forest, with not much sunlight.

"The adult male Orange-headed Thrush has an entirely orange head and underparts, uniformly grey upperparts and wings, and white median and undertail coverts. It has a slate-coloured bill and the legs and feet have brown fronts and pink or yellowish rears."

This was the first time I came across a Orange-headed Thrush, but they must be very common over here at Cerok Tokun. Why do I make this conclusion? I could always hear the soft tchuk calling which kept me guessing who was actually out there. It was silent this time but the clues on the voices and colours from the searching works led me to its identity. I must be very right this time.

It was not so shy, at least to me. We kept a distance of not more than five feet away. It allowed me to take shots after shots. And until I noticed I could have a choice to use my zoom lens, it waited for me during my panic changing process.

It looked as if we were closer, in distance and friendship after this, but not until, again, the interruption by a passer-by.

Oh yes!! I have seen an Orange-headed Thrush. What can I say? "Every day does seem the same, but the memories of times, and years past make all the difference."

24 comments:

George said...

I'm glad that Thrush moved so you could spot him and get these wonderful pictures. The Orange-headed Thrush is certainly a beautiful bird.

Kirigalpoththa said...

That is a beautiful bird!

Diane AZ said...

How wonderful to finally see the bird who's call you had heard many times before. The orange-headed thrush looks beautiful in your pictures.

The Fern and Mossery said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

How beautiful your pictures turned out even without the sun..Your ears, your eyes, and your hands work well together to come out with this gorgeous photos..

XoXo said...

These are great photos of the bird, I love his color.

Tes said...

Oh wow, gorgeous shot of that Orange-headed Thrush, Rainy. You're lucky to come across one. Gorgeous creature!

Cheryl said...

Wow, what a handsome bird. How fortunate that you discovered him!

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

You got a germ of Migrant Bird here.
Congratulation!

Mike said...

Rainfield another bird we share in our respective countries. I have not actually seen one in the wild.

RNSANE said...

Isn't it thrilling when your hiking brings such a reward as this incredibly colorful and beautiful bird!

arthur said...

i like it, nicely done, captured with essence.

Rick (Ratty) said...

Every day brings a new experience, no matter how small it may be. Now you have another experience with a new bird, this orange-headed thrush. Your kindness has allowed you to share it with the rest of us, the whole world. We have all learned, and gained a little bit of wisdom from this.

Ginnymo said...

What a cute bird! I like the colors on it. You got some great photos Rain!! I'm glad you spotted it!!

rainfield61 said...

George/Kirigalpoththa: He is certainly a beautiful bird, especially during the first encounter.

Diane: Now I can imagine when I hear the calling.

The Fern and Mossery: Thanks for your comment.

Icy BC: The scene looks slightly eerie. Does it?

Pacey: I am a great hiker who keep discover new birds, that are new only to me.

Tes: I hope to get some giant eagles in my list. I have not come across any yet over here.

Cheryl: Hope my luck will spread to you too.

Tabib: Terima kasih banyak banyak.

Mike: We are sharing with each other. That's fun.

RNSANE: There are certainly more than that. I am always rewarded with invaluable wonders when I have my hiking.

arthur: You are going to visit Berapit again. Any plan on some trekking?

Ratty: You are wiser to talk about your experience in 2010. We do learn.

roentare said...

This is truely special series. The colour and the spotting with such dark lit setting truely impresses me

Joanne Olivieri said...

His color is unique. I've never seen the thrush, that I know of but he sure is cute. I love the fact that you can capture these birds. I always try but never get them in time as they always fly away. Maybe I should court them and sing a tune? :D

The Retired One said...

A wonderful bird and great shots of it. Congratulations!

AVCr8teur said...

I have not seen such a bird. Every hike brings a new adventure and discovery!

Anonymous said...

I have never seen nor heard of this bird before. You have a wealth of nature waiting to be discovered and photographed here! :)

SquirrelQueen said...

Each step we take in the forest brings new discoveries and adventures. The orange headed Thrush is very beautiful. How wonderful to have met the sound you have heard before.

fufu said...

you are using flash right? if yes wonder why it wont disturb the birds... anyway i plan to have one hiking end of the mth even it will snow... must be great i assume!! hohoho

JTG (Misalyn) said...

You are very lucky...you spotted that Orange-headed thrush.

Ayie said...

lovely! that bird is such a beauty!!