Taroko National Park
The Hualien Wild Bird Federation day trip on June 6th took us through the Taroko Gorge, up the mountains as high as 3100m. Driving up we stopped at various altitudes starting at 1200m. Where we entered a different world.
One of the first birds we saw was the Coal Tit. It brought memories of the Netherlands where they were very commonly seen in our gardens.
As we climbed the vegetation changed. Familiar flowers, trees and most of all mosses now dominated the landscape.
Looking at this shot I can almost feel the drop in temperature again.
Wild daisies, long time no see
Flowering foxgloves (left) appear at the same location as the Vivid Niltava (right), depicting a medley of moderate climate and tropical wildlife
Another familiar bird, the Eurasian Jay or Vlaamse Gaai
These plants looked so familiar, yet I cannot remember their Dutch nor English name. Can anybody help me out?
Taiwan Yuhina
A Streak-throated Vulvetta watching me with its beautiful sharp eyes, trying to keep his nesting place secret.
Soaring over 2000m high the Mountain Hawk Eagle paid us a short visit.
Higher up these Azaleas bloomed just these 2-3 weeks, turning the slopes purple. Lucky me!
Ever seen purple pine cones before? Certainly not me.
Less colorful but not less interesting flowers that were a delight to the botanists who joined us on this trip.
ALISHAN Gentians!!! They made my day.
They almost outdid these White-whiskered Laughing Thrushes.
But not the Vinaceous Rosefinches.
There were at least 4 pairs and they weren’t even that shy.
Another lucky sighting: the White-browed Bush Robin, with his best catch of the day: a high mountain Daddy Longleg of some sort. We also saw a Collared Bush Robin.
There were many more birds we saw that day, Flycatchers, Sibias, Liocichlas, Parrotbills and a family of Mikado Pheasants. This was undeniably my best ever high elevation bird watching day.
Thank you every member of the HWBF who made this possible,
and especially Cassie !
No comments:
Post a Comment