Senior Leader Gavin Bieber writes:

Maroon Oriole, Jon Dunn.

Sawadhee Krap!

I’m sitting in a small internet cafe in Chang Mai, in northern Thailand.  After our three days in Bangkok, we ‘ll be spending much of the next week and a half exploring the mountainous regions north and west of town.  I won’t simply be writing a bird log here–but as always for bird tour leaders, rest assured that whenever I’m outside, my binoculars are close at hand!

The stunning colors of many of Thailand’s common open-country birds are amazing.  Elegantly dressed in plum and white, White-throated Kingfishers leap off the wires flashing sky-blue wings and tail, a blue that puts even the Mountain Bluebird to shame.  In the foothills of Doi Suthep just west of Chang Mai, our attention was continually drawn to birds such as the raucous White-crested Laughingthrush or the stunning Blue-eared Barbet.

But perhaps my favorite of the trip so far is the elegant harlequin Silver-breasted Broadill, traveling in small parties thorugh humid broadleaf forest.

A definite rival to the bird diversity is furnished by the myriad wats, or temples, liberally sprinkled through the country.  These bastions of Buddhist philosphy are opulently adorned with high spires, gold-leaf Buddha statues, and brightly robed monks.

The food too has been superlative, with delicately spiced curries, tropical fruits, and a rich selection of vegetarian options.  It’s only been a week, but Thailand is exceeding my lofty expectations in every way.