Two Hornbills and a Forktail at Sungai Sedim

August 7 2010, It was almost 2 weeks ago I last went out for bird outing. I was busy with my business traveling, thus I got no leisure time to pursuit my un-accomplished target, the Chestnut-naped Forktail. Yesterday, I received information from fellow birding partner, Chien, he told me that he saw the Forktail several times at the main car park area at the Sungai Sedim Lowland Forest during his previous visit.

This morning, I decided to try my luck at the Sungai Sedim at the main car park area. On the many outing here before, I was mainly concentrating at the forest trail further in from the main car park. I arrived at the main car park area at about 8.15 am. This place is quite crowded with visitors during weekend after 11 am, so I have about 3 hours to look for my target. While I was middle through setting up my gears, Chien and I saw a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbill flew by and perched at a fruiting tree. The couple were busy feeding on its breakfast.

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Canon 1D mkIV EF 800 IS

ISO1250 F8 1/200 Fill Flash

Male

Female

After half an hour, the Rhinoceros Hornbills flew away and disappear into the deep forest. About few minutes later, the White-crowned Hornbills stopped by at same tree. There were 4 together, one pair of adult bird and 2 juveniles. Oh this species looks ugly, dull and unattractive feathers. The appearance of this species is less attractive than the Rhinoceros but this is one of the rare species of Hornbill at this area. I guess we were quite lucky to see it here. 

White-crowned Hornbill

Canon 1D mkIV EF 800 IS

ISO1250 F8 1/200 Fill Flash

Juvenile

Feeding on the red color fruit. The one at the back-end is the adult bird.

After the White-crowned Hornbill left, I decided to take my morning break and sipping some coffee. Half way through my break near the river side,  I heard a series of metallic whistles of "dir-tee". Without any doubts, I recognized that it was the call of a Chestnut-naped Forktail. I immediately moved to the edge of river bank and placed my gear under a tree. I saw the male Chestnut-naped Forktail hanging around some mossy rocks at the other side of the river. The target was picking up food from the ground. It hopped from one rock to the other. He noticed that they were human being at the other side of the river but still continue staying there. In contrast with the one at Ulu Paip, it would be long gone before you were able to step foots near the river-bank. It was a golden moment that I would not want to miss. Here are the improvement shots from this morning outing,

Chestnut-naped Forktail

Canon 1D mkIV EF 800 IS + TC

ISO1600 to 2500 F8 1/80 or below 

It was a very satisfied outing, 2 lifers and 1 improvement shots from this morning outing.

Thanks for viewing, your comments are welcome.