So where to begin, I suppose it has to be the birds and two in particular - Gurney's Pitta and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The tension and excitement in seeing these birds was immense and the experiences will always remain with us.
Gurney's Pitta
Spoon-billed Sandpiper
But then the other Pittas started to show and we were left wondering who took pride of place; the Gurneys, the Banded, the Eared or the Blue all stunningly beautiful.
Banded Pitta
..and as the days ended the night birding took over and we begun to wonder did this surpass the day time birding, we were in awe of Javan Frogmouths, Oriental Bay Owl, Brown Wood Owl and a pair of Brown Hawk Owls. An hour or two's trek up a mountain side in heavy rain in search of White-fronted Scops Owl was the only disappointment but even that holds strong memories
Javan Frogmouth
Of course this little beauty was my star of the trip - we took about a hundred shots and five minutes of video of this little fellow and savored every moment
Rufous Backed Kingfisher
and then the excitement of the Similan Islands where so many people had told us not to go as we would not see its star bird but the lure was too great and the Nicobar proved to be the easiest bird of the trip
Nicobar Pigeon
Khao Yai NP holds strong memories for good and bad reasons - the good being the sounds of the gibbons echoing across the forests and our good fortune at being able to photograph them - the bad in being eaten alive by mosquitoes and sucked dry by leeches
White handed Gibbon
White handed Gibbon
And finally the overriding images in my mind will be the people, the temples, the food and the stunning scenery
Phrang Nga Bay
The boat that broke down - twice!
James Bond Island
Ao Nang
One of many orchids
Khao Lak
The food, the people and us!
Thanks for sharing the tour, Clare. You certainly saw some gorgeous and unique birds. I, too, would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite.
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