Awesome Bird Encounter at the Maleha Trail

 

Spotted Owlet, Athene brama

A pair of Spotted Owlets roosting on a rocky crevice

Peekaboo! I see you Mr. Samurai Bug!

The curious and intense stare of this Spotted Owlet says it all! 

A Striolated Bunty, Emberiza striolata on its rocky perch

Can you spot the Bunty?

How many Striolated Bunties can you see?

Nightjar, Caprimulgus sp. hiding inside a rocky cave

Sparrow, Passer domesticus

A Sparrow on a dry desert bush branch

Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti

Desert Lark foraging on the desert sand

Birds are masters of survival and adaptation!

Even in the midst of such a harsh desert environment, numerous bird species can be observed thriving and adapting on the Maleha mountain. 

From inside the rocky crevices, to the sparse desert bushes and trees, to the dwindling grass growth at the base of the wadi, birds are present and their lively chirping breaks the silence of the mountain trail.

It was such as an awesome experience to encounter numerous bird species all in one day! 

In this climb, I observed a pair of Spotted Owlets on their rocky crevice nest. When I approached the nest I had a stare down with the male owl which appeared as curious as I am. Even had a little peekaboo moment! It was such a delight to see this pair guarding their home. 

The group of the Striolated Bunty was tough to spot once they move along the dry grass and rocks. Perfectly camouflaged, they were roosting and foraging on the rocky ground in pure bird bliss! Enjoyed watching one Bunty, which acted as the main watch bird whereas it positioned itself atop a rock to stand guard and observed the others forage.

As I was looking for insects hiding inside a rocky cave, I stumbled upon a Nightjar resting inside the protective crevice and under perfectly cool shade. This nocturnal bird species got rattled by my curious presence and flew immediately into the confines of another deep and dark rocky crevice further up the trail.

The lively chirping of Sparrows is a staple sound breaker of  the silence of the mountain. As I traverse the trail, these little brown birds are such a delight to stalk as they move from rock to rock, from branch to branch as they carefully evade the numerous thorny hurdles. 

The Desert Lark was another carefully camouflaged bird I observed on the desert space. The recent rains have brought-in rich moisture and organic materials in the sand at the base of the mountain which encouraged foraging. 

Birds are such awesome organisms to observe in their natural habitat! 

Birds are also a constant reminder of God's providential care to those who love, trust and believe in Him. 

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10: 29-31, ESV) 

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!