Woodland Gift Wednesday
Rainbow Pitta
When you go looking for a pitta, you have to be quiet. And patient. These gnomes of the forest are secretive.
In this case, we climbed a steep path into the woods, hunkered down, and waited. Steve played their call*, and we waited silently for a return call. Nothing. He played it again. Silence. Played it again.
And then, we heard one call back.
We whispered our excitement, eyes darting trying to see where it might come from.
Often, the wait goes on and on. And the pitta does not emerge.
But on this day, like Christmas morning, the gift appeared…
A Rainbow Pitta.
Not only did he appear in all his glory, but he stood on this spot for six minutes (incredible!) as everyone shifted on the narrow steep trail to get a good look and a photo. I don’t think any of us stopped grinning for the rest of the day.
Merry Christmas!
Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris 17 cm/6.7”
Kakadu National Park, NT, Australia
July 22, 2024
Such a remarkable bird. I can still feel the moment.