Twisting By The Pool - Dire Straits (again)

The incessant 'calling' of another 'Scops' Owl had me out of my bunk at 05:00 and racing around the hotel gardens like a demented Roadrunner. As predicted, no such luck but it was a great start to another day of relaxation!

Firstly, I had decided to check out this interesting looking building, seen yesterday, which turned out to be the

LOCAL SWIMMING POOL

• which, having blagged my way in for a look around, seemed rather to be under-selling it a bit

wot are all these little dots Google

as it is of Olympic proportions

and appears well looked after. I did look out for Tom Daley but no sign.

and why carn't I centralise this photo - CRAP!

Time for a sit down, and that's when I met this lovely couple and shared a coffee and a chat. There was 

plenty on offer to eat, but just not the right time.

I'VE GOT A LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS

not a lot of people know that!

Still trying to cope with what those oafs at Google (who you'll notice haven't even identified this bird yet) describe as an improvement to the Blog Site, there is no time to check on bird identities, I'm starting to loose the plot. but please don't send me home! 

These juvenile Common Mynas have the appearance of tiny Vultures with their head feathers missing,

While there are still attempts to get one decent shot of an Oriental Magpie Robin, not working is it?

White-throated Kingfisher was most obliging in the local park,

while it is hoped that BRAHMINY KITE will be as confiding before this leg of the trip is over.

This SUNBIRD may well be the female of the one above

This Peaceful (Zebra) Dove was looking a little worse for wear, but was taking full advantage of the endless supply of Maggots in the dustbin compound.

The unidentified PIPIT may well be PADDYFIELD but again with no time to check maybe someone will let me know?

and what would a day be without a TREE SPARROW? Well, quite frankly around here you'd be in the wrong place if you didn't see one.

Ain't No Rest For The Wicked - Cage the Elephant

Just before going to press this evening we were blessed with another nation joining the readership. A little ironic really as I am on my way to the People's Democratic Republic of Lao to hand out personal invitations and to add it to my 'List of Countries Visited'. It will be a while yet so with great pleasure we welcome the reader in the hope that the news might precede me and the readership will have reached 'treble figures' before I reach there. Please pass on to all friends and family and see you soon!



Yesterday's journey to my R and R took me via the short ferry crossing at Tamam Negara National Nature Reserve to the pre-arranged mini-bus south and back to Kuantan, then sharp north to Kuala Terengganu. On the map the small town of Paka had looked an ideal spot until it was discovered this is the industrial centre for the production of Palm Oil, which was worth a miss. At my destination I was overborne with help to get me to the coast and a decent hotel, which finally ended up in a taxi, here I am at

and very nice too. I've already sampled the swimming pool and should be trying the beer next, therapeutic of course.

There I met the Assistant Manager who introduced himself as Mr Bean, and a cheery "anything you want Sir, I can get it". Try GURNEY'S PITTA for starters Pal!

The early morning sky promised much and all in all it was a fine day, but the Rest and Relaxation would have to be put on hold while a reci was undertaken.

A lovely beach, overlooking the South China Sea, from the est this time, with little in the way of litter and other debris,

while further on there was a Stone Pier and what was taken for a Fishing Port which must mean Gulls???? It was to prove disappointing on that score!

It was worth a stop to pass the time of day with this fisherman but there were more important things afoot.

First of these was a pair of

WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE

which obligingly remained perched until I had completed my business with them, and then flew away.

Next came a series of familiar favourites, starting with

COLLARED KINGFISHER

COMMON SANDPIPER and

PACIFIC SWALLOW.

However, this is where life starts to get a little more difficult with no relevant Field Guide and no Mates to help me out. I had already hugged 3 large books half way around the world, one of which was not The Birds of South East Asia, so it is going to be a struggle from here.

First contender, for which I had to rely on memory alone, was this fine Oriole which is believed to be BLACK-NAPPED.

It, or another, was joined by a BARBET of sorts, which later would come a little closer.

ASIAN KOEL

was added to the Trip List along with not one but 2 BARBETs

LINIATED BARBET

 which is a 'Lifer' along with

 COPPERSMITH BARBET familiar from previous trips.

Plenty of ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING plus a few more shots of

the not very obliging ASIAN KOEL.

ASHY TAILORBIRD

new on the Trip List but will be looking for some better images.

By this time I didn't think I was doing too badly, until this tiny yellow, blue and vivid pink 'bird' flew past, throwing me a real curve.

Luckily, it settled close by and the riddle was solved,

I only wish I could have bought you an image of this spectacular insect 'in-flight'.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE R and R?
WELL I'M COMING TO THAT!