Upon completion of the big project that I was working, I finally had the chance to make up for neglecting the two things that I love most in life - birding and my wife. So I decided to have an overnight stay at this locality to please the two of them (and myself too). We stayed at the Colmar Tropicale resort as I thought the architecture and the atmosphere will go well with my wife. The resort was quite impressive in real life.
The view from our room did not disappoint us as well...
On the first day, we decided to spend time here at this French theme resort. We came to a watch tower at the far end of the resort and to my surprise, it had an elevator. Well, that's a first for me.
Up at the tower, I had a pleasant surprise in the form of an adult Rufous-bellied Eagle. The striking raptor alighted on a dead tree overlooking the golf course. Unfortunately, it was a little far for my liking but beggars can't be choosers.
A majestic Black Eagle was seen soaring above the resort but it was again too far to get any detailed shots.
At the front portion of the resort, there was a draw bridge. The resident Glossy Swiflets decided to built a nesting colony there.
Beneath the bridge, there were two ponds where they kept a pair of Mute Swans on one pond...
And a pair of Black Swans on the other.
My wife naturally took a liking to these graceful birds.
Although this trip was more of a casual birding trip, I did managed to capture a few of the resident birds in the resort compound like this female Oriental Magpie Robin...
Attending to her chick...
The Eurasian Tree-sparrows were foraging around the cafes and restaurant for left-overs.
There was also a troop of Dusky Leaf-monkeys foraging near the pool side and they were rather confiding and bold.
The next morning, we went up to the Japanese Garden and this is where most birders will go. However, I did not have much luck here. My wife, on the other hand, had a great time.
A Malaysian birder looking rather lost in a japanese garden...
I did managed to capture a decent shot of a foraging male Orange-bellied Flowerpecker...
And a Oriental Honey-buzzard in flight.
