Flash floods and some views of the park in April

Zone F  in heavy rain.

 It has been raining heavily for the last three days (mainly nights).  The parkland is situated on a very hilly area and is the headwaters of a stream, which for convenience I call the Kambatik stream.  The heavy downpour would normally create flash floods.  However, due to its hilly landscape the excess downpour would race downstream.  This event is exciting to watch and offers some fine photographic moments.

After the floods, I walked up the Cempedak Hill and found a lone Plaintive Cuckoo.  This time it is the female of the species, a lifer for me.

Here are some views of the park taken in April’18.

Flash floods at Zone F

Zone B

View towards Zone A, looking east, from Cempedak Hill (Zone G)

The youngsters are doing well

It's a week now since the Punai Daun or Little Green Pigeon gave birth to two chicks named 'Mubarak' and 'Syawal'.  The younger of the two, Syawal has at last opened its eyes and was seen peeping through the maze of Eugenia oleina twigs.  The mother's feet is a beautiful red  and her under tail-coverts are clearly seen and appears very fluffy.  The mother does not seem to be bothered with my presence though I am coming nearer to have a better view of them, as close as 3 meters distance from the nest.  The nest is about 2 meters from ground level.  I am happy to note that the bird has confided in me.  The story continues......

A Punai photoshoot session

The hen Punai tendering the two chicks under her breast

 "Ok, you are allowed five minutes for a photoshoot session, with me and my kids."  That was what I imagined the mother of the chicks was telling me.  She comforted them close to  her breast with the older of the two chicks  throwing a curious look at me.
I was careful not to stretch out the session because I need to keep her confidence in me.  These shots are captured at a safe five meters distance from the nest.

Punai Daun (Malay) or Little Green Pigeon

The female Punai

Female of the Punai or Little Green Pigeon has back and wing-coverts that are dull-greyish green or  olive-green in colour.

 This afternoon it's the mother's turn to tender to her young.  The female of the species have back and wing-coverts that are dull greyish-green.  In the late afternoon I saw both the male and female left the nest and flew past me in swift dashing flight.  When I saw both of them left the nest I immediately rush to check on the chicks and to get a closer look at them.  For about a week now the bigger of the two chicks was partly covered in yellow and green feathers.  The smaller one must have been hatched a few hours later looked rather fragile.  Both appeared to be doing well and breathing......The story continues.......

Two young chicks of the Punai in nest made of loose Eugenia oleina twigs.