From NaturePixels.org
May 2008
For the month of May, NPX have the privilege to interview Mr. Panuwat Sasirat, its very own Thai member. Mr. Panuwat Sasirat or Par as some of us called him affectionately is not a stranger. He was our Thai bird guide and friend. In the field, he never fails to impress us with his great local knowledge and sharp eyes for our feathered friends. Par is the founder and general manager of Wild Bird Eco Tour based in Bangkok.
He is also a columnist in a Thai newspaper, a photographer and had published a book on bird watching.
Par's book
NPX: What are you working as before you became a bird guide? What make you change job??
Par: I was working as a coordinator in television program, Grammy Entertainment Co. Ltd about 2.8 year after I have graduated from university. My job took me traveling around Thailand to source for TV program idea. Unfortunately the program shut down. I then became a volunteer at Bird Life Club (NGO) in a bird watching tour program. This was the beginning for Wild Bird Eco Tour, establish since 1998.
NPX: When you want start to bird guide, do you think it is going to be hard and what make you go ahead with the plan?
Par: Hmm ... yes ... I knew that there will be some difficulty but should not be too hard for me. It is because I enjoy every opportunity to search for birds in nature. I had been traveling around Thailand in all habitats to look for birds. I got to know lots of different birds by doing so and gained knowledge of where they were, their behavior and best season to see them. It became easier each time but I am still learning every day. Finding a spectacular species or meeting my clients' targets to me is like a candy to a young boy, sweet and thrilling.
NPX: You are a bird watcher at heart. At what age you start bird watching and why? What makes you want to take photographs of birds??
Par : I started bird watching 20 years ago when I was 17 years old. I was not interested in bird watching initially but I was crazy about trekking. It happened that one day 20 years ago, I trekked up to a cliff and was sitting down enjoying the view. While looking down at the scenery below and 2 birds flew up from nowhere and perched at a branch near me. I remembered distinctly the left one had black coloured head and red bellied. The other was black headed with yellow bellied. (Now that I know they were Minivet!) The couple was singing and pruning feather for about 5 mins. It was just fascinating and I was hypnotized! These wonderful God's creation touched my heart. The very next day when I trekked down to foothill and I signed up at Bangkok Bird Club as a member.
When I see the beautiful feathers of these amazing creatures, I feel a strong urge to capture them on camera so that I can share it with others.
NPX: What is the difference between you being a bird watcher and a bird photographer??
Par: One major difference …. Patience! For bird watchers, we often observe and go. There is no necessity for so much patience in order to get a good shot or get closer or wait for best angle and lighting. You folks know the rule for bird photographer … number one is patience, rule number two is also patience and rule number three … yes … PATIENCE!!
NPX: What is the beauty of Thai birds? Which is the most beautiful species??
Par: Thailand has approximately 1,000 species of birds currently. This is the most updated information in this year. To me almost every species is a beauty by itself. So if I had to choose, I would separate them in season. For example, in summer the best for me will be Long-tailed Broadbill. During rainy season, when there are no migratory birds or breeding birds, my choice would be Bronze-winged Jacana in its best colors.
Par is looking out for Spoon-billed Sandpiper
NPX: Why are you so good at looking for birds??
Par: Thank you for the compliment. I am still learning each day. Often visitors like you folks teach me things too. I do put in a lot of effort and practice hard in the field. I tried to recognize shape and remember the calls of every species of bird present in a particular habitat. I also tried to learnt and associate birds’ behavior to their living environment as well as seasons. The trick is to “look wide and look narrow.”
NPX: What's the tip you can share to us to be a successful bird guide??
Par: Keep in faith, concentrate and be focus in your target you want to find! Knowing how to gather good information from the locals and making friends in the field certainly helps a lot too!
NPX: How does being a photographer help you in your work as a guide??
Par: First and foremost, I learnt to respect nature and birds as a photographer. I also learnt to understand lights and elements. Together with the knowledge of birds and their behavior, these help me a lot in my work. Of course it is also essential to blend in a service mindset.
NPX: What is the worse experience when you bring guest out for birding? What is the best?
Par: Worse experience is that the habitats are forever changing or no more bird when I got there! The best is when I have fun and like-minded visitors like you folks!
NPX: Share with us your favorite 2 photograph of the birds you took. Tell us why is it your favorite.
Par: The following 2 photos are my favorite. Please pardon the quality because these were scanned from slides.
Pied Bushchat male and female
I took these in Pai district, Mae Hongson Province, North of Thailand The birds were sitting on the perch (which I set up) in early morning. This is not a full frame photo but I managed a bird among the flowering garden. I waited 2 consecutive days in hide for this single shot. This photo is being published on many travel magazines till date.
Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo
I took this at Khao Yai National Park. This is a very rare bird in S.E.A. I had to wait patiently for them to feed in garbage dump. First day, I had to build a hide on the garbage dump because I knew the bird will feed on the insects there. Second day, I went into the hide from 5 am. During my wait, terrible smoke from the burning garbage came into my hide. I ended up vomiting many times. I only managed the shot on my third day! This photo was published in Khao Yai book, produced by Tourism Authority of Thailand in page 71 and is sold around the world.
NPX: Thank you for the interview.
Par: My pleasure.
Par's website and email
Email - wildbirdtour@yahoo.com
Website - http://www.wildbirdeco.net
___________________ above photographs contributed and copyright of Mr Panuwat Sasirat
____________________Interview edited by StarryNight and photographs of Par contributed by StarryNight and Ender; Par's book by wilis
