to Hua Hin

Sunday 24 November... As for the arrival here, we went by minibus until we were away from city traffic. That had been planned by TdA before anybody knew there would be serious political protests that same day. We were well clear of Bangkok before the protests were really underway. Two short rides and we'll be in Hua Hin where we'll get another rest day.

We're following the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, through wetland and salt ponds. Sunday started overcast, then some serious rain...


Salt ponds... that's the rain we're headed for... 

Nieka, one of the TdA staff, in the downpour

Sunrise on a sunny Monday

wetland

Buddhist temple inside a wall shaped like a ship

Whereas we've seen only limited quantities of birds and wildlife till now, the wetland changed all that. Except when it was raining, we took lots of photos of them. I'm hoping that my brother will continue his diligent research to identify them.

We hadn't expected monkeys in the wetland, but they're there, this one sitting on a roadside sign...

...and they all retreated into the swamp... note the youngster clinging to mother's belly...



...a couple of species of kingfisher...

Black-capped Kingfisher

Collared Kingfisher

Asian Openbill Storks - thanks Bruce for the id...

Here are a variety for Bruce to identify - watch the comments for what he finds, and I'll update the blog when I can...

possibly a Crested Myna

above - Little Cormorant (also called Javanese Cormorant)
below - Indian Pond Heron

Black-winged Stilt

Cinnamon Bittern
Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

 and these busy little crabs that dig holes when the tide goes out...

 

and very colourful dragonflies that hopefully eat mosquitos...