Alan and I arrived in time for a superb lunch, then a rest, which I spent in my personal outdoor pool overlooking the river and forest beyond!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4j1XURfEt1BKCkyKopUhNHI6EGyK4BeEAODAptsgj-PA3hHpXMhbddLpQmcphVEKJ7DgUOc6gq62_SyXrzYD0rD9sOD_1mNK1BHwB9lovZh1mr7cweplsX2eq-NwvCFHwWBF/s280/Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9272.jpg)
The room's electrics are all solar-powered, though I barely used the fan the whole trip, as the forest is refreshingly cool.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUh6kAgL7abuAUYnY-phYeD4UxElsRxDoK_ji32vrOURkf6KKwfBkK5L4bQuyFhBLCXf6sGAL37B7HAwWRoRD6IfVS1xfO1DLcLmamH14HeLZuqz29AdVXpX7xX8GBnlvV54Q/s280/Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9273.jpg)
From the balcony I have a view of the river Danum and forest which has been unchanged for millenia!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQmdpvw2l6cJV0pJx-JaRnQHSfHaUz-jGXPC8jPfylNDvBQ5vyEYXHUTj3LJkWn6zqsku1W8FjnjmoEQXUJkhUhYv90ydLX1TvfxkIJk3opqcIFgoTK60Vy8Q4F0ChbVCFf_0/s280/Great-billed+Heron_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9249.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv3ZlwYxVgKiJTEPtMlVUlCQotWMda61SIR5D4nHcekywcqgRCeBpSrrEoTeUmwLfLOrQO0sHfuJaxUEtGAvb4mrF68_SKFA3MQSS6x9Z-1cu7GcVYsfB2JdcWy9WZ73Eguxi/s280/Great-billed+Heron_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9262.jpg)
My first new bird flew in as we were enjoying lunch - a Great-billed Heron.
Between my chalet and the dining room there was so much bird activity it was difficult to know where to look!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1-BO8aVrBJcUbnsCOiguGr_DnmJO8oUsWK8Sflpxl3wMj6PFoSGGOhFwm-xcA1fDivWCSB4kfHouCgfvSSNl6Rpsn9rB6YgWc2dmxgE7srgaEoq9R-g-WjhfTPM-J0ZYezc_/s280/Spectacled+Spiderhunter_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9269.jpg)
There were Spectacled Spiderhunters in the Indian Coral trees...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecA4ZwSvWnzQ6nzP9xTEl0FJKcLNOQwB9-ywiv8cSJ8mCWMkr8GR7SKllknE96hPAvAkkd-F0y9BdboJnpPvCC43CfHSEGG9lHxb20XDOQhRb_hdeF-xfiUGBBhTwPG_ML6ge/s280/Whiskered+Treeswift_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9285.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdnC5TyKsPtIKAvExaSbM5-NE9eUKDwtlMVtdz0kEe4WZGsixqbWlHTWRncMrXnb-V8NqW1N5iJXgXIt0iiVu605bVoS_hTLXIoK9m9rEyt5KwlYaogYeUx5Vw9lJsDoyjb9H/s280/Whiskered+Treeswift_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9286.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOBqtQbUIjfbhIUfAGp1FCvCsO1Sza4TgXsaHvgCy32b0zCOI8Pjr8jqKW8E6ZDe-qoiOF7yDPGJCoOrOqr15IoCeUIlBfAtQJsD3OfzShiwJEtkiEorvlpzUVLjTYIfZmH74/s280/Whiskered+Treeswift_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9327.jpg)
... a pair of Whiskered Treeswifts at eye-level in the small trees lining the boardwalk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0vlxwSZU1p-tW9p9IDJAnE2DVDuipKUZDTHZpO7pM1nEK11i51ChGvE0429JkWauBh1crqjxKXXxwMGDFElkbeKKnOvrkyM90GZBcPT5Mt2hYrQtkRb64-AQSkM_yE7UTIS-/s280/Wallace's+Hawk-eage_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9308.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoorzhyphenhyphenEV46io_VUZyvazvQMqEGJFOJnZJHYTFNPuyqDtDJs3TE7tLv9_zHWLypOtZqKH6ymrbvN41ndJs4yWjhGFAyec01tnTKW8Tkpcmmc7WqwuAddO-R0ANDX5l2ClH_uKD/s280/Wallace's+Hawk-eage_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9314.jpg)
The treeswifts started to call in alarm, alerting me to a Wallace's Hawk-eagle which flew into one of the larger trees briefly, before flying off again.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_WdSXocmvthzQIBY9smj6Mg5P-ijc49PQV_xaiT8-3kcI4qQ5mRjuhYvQ6nWnfMo0FU-regxVOST1a2EWoES3YZ95rN2q2mwnfKli0IByBgPs9Lpg6ehiOX2kAU46yJK375Y/s280/Wreathed+Hornbill_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9303.jpg)
Meanwhile, a Wreathed Hornbill flew directly overhead...and I hadn't even got into the forest yet!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzGzqgUwDSMKeF9dJOL_oXELtmYxX0wxSoBein8sfHWtJLZhc0S_4vS52bM4J7dDV90s0emq3oezGN9hs7XMYMdqFMkKadTCSmI8YN0A_fU7zivFAkNQSWCal-skijF4gwHZm/s280/Ferruginous+Babbler_Danum+Valley+BRL_181010_IMG_9333.jpg)
At three thirty we met up with our guide, the legendary Wang Kong, and we set off into the forest, with our number one target - Giant Pitta. We had a prolonged 'conversation' with one, but got no views. This Ferruginous Babbler was scant consolation!
Oh well, there's always tomorrow!
I was planning on visiting Danum Vally soon, any good, and can I trouble you for a lead for the travel/accommodation arrangement?
ReplyDeleteThanking you in advance.
Nice eye level Treeswift.
ReplyDelete