Search

© Foraging Ruby-cheeked Sunbird in Classical Habitat

on 10th September 2012

“During the inter monsoon season of this mid-June, dry spells and very little rain saw many rivers and streams dried up alongside Malaysian forests.

“A birding trip saw a deciduous, broad leaved tree, at the edge of secondary forest stood like scarecrow, overhung a stream that was reduced to a trickle.

“What caught my attention were spiky, pom-pom clustered-like flowers all gone grey that contrasted perfectly with the yellow withering of airy, broad leaves that caught the noon sunrays, making excellent subjects for natural photography and for any Monet wanabe artists to dive for their palettes.

“Soon… life appeared in the form of feathered birds -a pair of chirping Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds (Anthreptes singalensis) – a male in molt to harvest the seeded fruits from those small, burst pods of the spiky flowers; to complete a portrait image in action that speaks a thousand words.

“Prophetic Claude Monet once said, “I would like to paint as the bird sings.” (The late 19th century French impressionist painter is renowned for capturing every luminous effect, the very essence of light and air, wherein his most famous work, Les Nympheas (The waterlilies) became the hallmark of his fame.

Avian Writer Daisy O’Neill
Copyright article and copy images:
Courtesy of Daisy O’Neill Bird Conservation Fund

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
857
20037
Visitors Today
51793164
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)