7th February, 2008: Sungai Burung, Penang

My first weekend back home, so I took the family out on a little birding excursion. The way to motivate the kids is to give them points for every species they see, and double if they can identify it!

Here's my youngest doing some protracted study...


But what is she watching so carefully?


...This fine Black-capped Kingfisher, alert and searching for prey!



Target spotted, closing in!



Coming in for the kill!


Gotcha!







Returning to base, mission accomplished.



One crab, swiftly dispatched down the hatch!





This fish took a little longer to subdue.



Finally, after much whacking against the post, it is ready to be swallowed.


Suddenly, the hunter becomes aware that he might be on someone else's menu!



Watch out - there's a White-bellied Sea Eagle about!



This one's already caught its dinner though.


A Great Egret flies in, also hoping for a catch.


A Common Sandpiper sizes up some mudskippers.


And this resident Collared Kingfisher soaks up the last of the sun's rays.






















One of the eagles keeps up a vigil as the sun dips below the horizon.