I was caught between two Crested birds. The, big, beautiful, alert, and watchful Crested Kingfisher on one side and the absolutely dreamy, fairylike White-crested Laughingthrush on the other. The Crested Kingfisher from Sat Taal was a dream sighting ever since I had seen its pictures posted by birder friends. The White-throated Laughingthrush was beyond dreams - just two of these beauties are left in Saat Taal and being very shy and insecure, they rarely let their guard down and are less photographed compared to the Crested Kingfisher. The Kingfisher sat atop a tree, ever watchful, refusing to come down to the rock perches to give me a clear shot. I waited for more than an hour during which I kept hearing the Laughingthrushes call out in their hysterical and somewhat eerie laughter-like call from the highest reaches of an oak tree. As time was limited, I had to decide which bird to wait for. It was a tough call to take but I finally decided that it was better to try and photograph a bird that God forbid, might not be there when I go back to Saat Taal again. After a three hour wait the calls of the Laughingthrushes seemed closer and closer until they both came and perched just about 20 feet away. The beauty of these birds blows the mind - the fluorescence of the upright white crest and the deep neckline contrasting with the jet-black kohl-lined eyes gives it a dreamy, magical, stunning, Elizabeth Tayloresque look. It was a spellbinding birding moment that repeated over two days and I fervently hope that there are more of these gorgeous birds when I go back next. And ofcourse the Crested Kingfisher ensures that I shall certainly go back there to wait for it as patiently as I waited for this one. Starting the Saat Taal Series with my favourite catch of the trip. Series Saat Taal White-crested Laughingthrush/Garrulax leucolophus Chafi, Sattal, Uttarakhand March/2014.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 06:02:47 +0000
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