Birding & the City - It is an eye-opener for my husband and I when we visited Lake Gardens recently.

I am a city gal....born and bred in KL. Even though i love the rustic life of the "kampung", I do get bored easily and can't wait to get back to the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan city.

But then, I have long passed the joy of clubbing, partying and shopping. Not that i totally shun these activities, but I guess when you reached the age of 32, you start to wonder whether there's anything more to life than just spending your hard-earn money on superficial stuffs such as partying and shopping........

Bird-watchingPic above: blue-tailed bee-eater

I have rediscovered that there are plenty of 'healthy, educational and fun' activities one could participate in the city. Yes, you do not need to go out of the city to indulge in these activities. Rather than taking your children to the hypermarkets and shopping malls (I know many young parents do), why not take them out to the Lake Gardens for bird-watching? Not only is it free, but everyone gets to sweat a little, which hey, is always good for physical and mental health.

Pic above: Common Flameback (wood pecker)

Instead of letting them have a go at the playground, you can take the opportunity to teach them about the resident birds that make Lake Gardens their home. Before this, all we know about birds that strive in the city of KL are the notorious crow (gagak), burung pipit, pigeon and the common myna.

Pic above: Black-naped oriole

Birding is a great side-hobby for photographers. They can take this a step further by identifying the birds that they captured on films and studying these birds (about their habitats).

Pic above: Hadida Ibis from South Africa

Being with nature is a humbling experience as it helps us (and the younger generation) understand that all living creatures should live in harmony and to be thankful for all the wonderful flora and fauna that god almighty has created.

Pic above: Green-billed Malkoha

The time is definitely now, that everyone of us should make a conscious effort in preserving what we have and what better way to do so.......... by educating ourselves, our children and youths. This is what this blog is intended to be........to be read and shared to those interested in making a difference in their lives (be it your health or preserving mother earth and all her inhabitants).

Pic above: White-breasted waterhen

Pic : White-throated Kingfisher

Some of the wild birds captured (on digital cam) and identified at Lake Gardens, KL (These bird pics are not taken in bird park, but free-flying ones around Tasik Perdana).

Pic above: Asian Glossy Starling

Pic above: Pink-necked Green pigeon (far left) and its female counterpart (right)

Photos courtesy of David Chan (photographer and an avid bird-watcher)