Female Plumbeous Water Redstart
That's Kathmandu! A day late, but I finally made it to the capital yesterday evening. The following morning, it was an early bus NW to Pokhara. In the eight hour trip we stopped off four times. The first stop was only for ten minutes but at the side of the road I managed to see Black-lored Tit, Grey-headed and Hume's Warbler, female Orange-bellied Leafbird. pair of Pied Bushchat, male Stonechat, 3 Coppersmiths Barbet and Himalayan Swift. Not a bad start in a short space of time and I saw some of these species later on during the journey. However, the last stop, just before hitting Pokhara, turned out to be an eventful one. We were told that we had 30 minutes to eat before returning to the bus. I went and got a curry from the cafe nearby and the last 15 minutes was spent around a stream at the back of the building. Immediately I was looking at a stunning Grey-backed Shrike followed by an equal stunning White-crowned Redstart. Infact, everything that I looked at was stunning, A pair of Plumbeous Water Redstart, 2 Rufus Treepie and both Himalayan and Red-vented Bulbul. I had five minutes to get back to the wagon and as I stepped onto the road, I saw a bus driving away from me. I thought, that's funny, it looks just like the bus I was traveling in. It is the bloody bus that I was traveling in and it's going!! I heard the driver change into second gear and dodging all the traffic, I ran like the devil, I had a long ways to catch up and didn't think I was going to do it as it was starting to disappear around the bend. With my 500mm lens and bins, by determination and guts, I found myself banging so hard with my fist at the left side rear end of the bus. This is when playing football twice a week pays off for occasions like this.There was a screech of the brakes and I stepped aboard. I was very carm towards the teenager sidekick of the driver and said 'What the hell are doin man?' Then I broke into a smile. He looked at me rather sheepish. I went over about, why did you leave early and without me? With his head down he said quietly 'Sorry' After what happened to me, a lot of folk would of been so angry, swearing and cussing, stranding miles from nowhere, but I just couldn't see the point in shouting and we starting talking about football instead. I asked him, what team do you follow? Just what I expected his reply to be, Manchester United. Not Shrewsbury Town then?
From the wagon while moving I managed to see lots of Black Drongo, long-tailed and Grey-backed Shrike on roadside wires. As the day heated up from the sun, it brought out the hirindines including Swallow and Plain Martin. On the deck at the side of the road were 2 White-rumped Vulture.
The bus that took me to Pokhara from Kathmandu and left me behind just before we arrived at my destination.
selling fruit just before I board. Tasted good as well
The roads were moving, but not as busy as usual. Because of the fuel crises in the country, only 30-40% of vehicles are on the road.
Three Coppersmith Barbet were feeding in a Fig Tree
male and female Plumbeous Water Redstart
White-crowned Redstart
Grey-backed Shrike
Saw lots of Black Drongo from the wagon but this Bronzed Drongo was 1 of 3 that I got at the last stop of the eight hour trip just before Pokhara.
In Pokhara, I had an hour before I met the project coordinator. Only minutes away from Middle path Hotel where I was staying was Lake Pokhara and the path that follows the lake around, was crowded with people. I still saw single female Scarlet Minivet, White-brested Kingfisher, Spotted Dove and a cracking Long-tailed Shrike. While taking pics of a Kingfisher, I could hear Siberian Chiffchaff and found 5 birds. At the same time a Hume's Warbler called and there was a very vocal Dusky Warbler only a meter away from me. There was only a small tree it could be in, but could I see the damn thing? It still carried on calling when some guy was trying to start a motor only a meter away from the tree to where the warbler was!
My first day in Nepal and it was spent mostly travelling and I didn't do so bad with just less than two hours of birding. Tomorrow, a jeep picks me up early and on the dirt track continuing NW, I'll be taken to Ghandruk where I'll be working for the next month.
3 White Wagtail sp (pernosta) were feeding at the waters edge
I didn't expect to see a Long-tailed Shrike next to the main path
This White-breasted Kingfisher and Kingfisher shared the same concrete pool.
A familiar sound was Siberian Chiffchaff with up to 5 birds feeding together
Like Black Kite and Common Myna, House Crow are everywhere.
Chestnut-tailed Starling were in the hotel garden with Jungle Myna
Mist rolling in from the mountains over Lake Pokhara
View from the hotel balcony
JamintheVan with the great Gary Clark Jr. born February 15, 1984) is an American guitarist and actor based in Austin, Texas. Clark shared the stage with various legends of rock and roll, and has stated that he is "influenced by blues, jazz, soul [and] country, as well as hip hop". Clark's musical trademarks are his distorted guitar sound and smooth vocal style. On May 13, 2013, Clark opened for Eric Clapton & His Band at the LG Arena, Birmingham, England. Many of the audience felt that he stole the show on the night, with Clapton being castigated by many for being unengaged with his audience. My opinion clark is a lot better guitarist than Clapton will ever be!
Looks amazing! Stunning birds!
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