Rare Encounter

An alert was sent to me via SMS regarding a rare bird sighted on 10 January 2010. When I reach the location, I only saw the bird for a while but no chance to get a clear shots. At about 6pm, it swam off away from our view. Later, one of our friend spotted it perch on a log about 50 meters away from us. When I rush over, it was gone.

Then came monday, 11 jan 2010. I remembered I was feeling unwell. Visited the doc and was given a day off. After I had taken the medicine, I felt better but was drowsy. Received another SMS. Decided to give it a try as this bird is rare. Only about 2500 left worldwide. When I reach there, it was no where to be seen. Eventually, I felt asleep under the peaceful canopy of the forest. A while later, I got up and decided to go home to rest. At about 5:20pm, 3 SMSs was sent to me but my phone was on silent mode. By God's will, I woke up at 5:25pm. When I check my phone, the message jolted me up and I even forgot that I was sick. I just rush out with my camera and reach the location in less than 15 minutes. When I reach the spot, I only saw it swimming away and I heard laughters from the group there. Recalling the routine the bird did the day before, I quickly rush to the spot where the log was. In the haste to get to the spot, I did not realise that I had bashed through a path full of thorns. True to my prediction, I saw the bird standing there on the log. To get to the location faster, I threw away my bagpack (with my other gears in it) and start shooting. When I had got my shots I started calling my friends on the phone. Some manage to find me while some dont.

When the bird finally left, I was ammazed that I did not feel any pain with a thorn stuck 1 inch into my arm. My Lens' cover was ripped off by 3 thorns. But its worth all the pain, blood and sweat to see this magnificent bird.

Oh before I forget, this rare bird is called the Masked Finfoot(Heliopais Personata). And There are only about 2500 of them left worldwide.