10-12th Dec 2012, Doi Lang, Chiang Mai, Thailand


Every now and then there is that compelling urge inside of me that tells me I simply MUST GO!

A few years back while birding with Bot Sothman from Australia I had come across the incredibly secretive Spot-breasted Laughingthrush with its incredible song repertoire.
I still remember not daring to put down my bins as I spotted this bird through the thick bamboo at Doi Angkhang. At first I all I could see was the brown upper parts but ‘hey, what is that strong eyebrow?” As the bird raised its head the spotted throat and breast came clearly into view and I knew I was onto something very special!

Ever since that encounter I had only met 1 person that had seen the bird besides myself.

So, when an image of the Spot-breasted Laughingthrush was posted on a Thai website, my adrenaline rushed in all force. I knew the excellent website www.orientalbirdimages.org was still in need of an image of the species since to my knowledge the bird had never been photographed in the wild!

I was scheduled pretty heavily but did have a 2 day slot available. That meant I had to fly to Chiang mai, hire a car and drive to Doi Lang further North. Air tickets was no problem but since it was a holiday there were no cars available.

I reluctantly abandoned the idea and instead went to my ‘old stomping grounds’ of Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Then, as I was viewing ‘my little friend, the spoonie’, I got a phone call from my wife. She had found a car through a friend! Wammo! Here I come!

As I arrived at the spot where the bird had been photographed there were several observers already there and no space for me. They said it hadn’t showed since the morning.

The next day I drove up the mountain real early and parked myself in that given spot while it was still dark. (no photographers at that time of day)………

It didn’t take long for the rush to come over me again. I could even hear my own heart beat.
Then, a pair of these incredible skulkers came out of the thickets in search of a free meal. (they had been fed meal worms for a few days already).

It was very exciting to observe them at such close range from my portable blind and I managed several pictures as well. It all seemed so easy! What joy! I felt so privileged!

As the story goes, the birds hung around the area for several months and were seen by many a birder. I returned several times and was able to improve my images.