Some Waterbirds at Thale Noi

During the trip to Krung Ching Waterfall on early September, we also took the opportunity to explore the famous Thale Noi Lake at Patalung. Our primary target was to photograph the Pheasant-tailed Jarcana, unfortunately September was not the right timing to see the Pheasant-tailed Jarcana at this area.

The Boat Ride on Thale Noi Lake

Searching for the waterbirds at the Lotus plant habitat

We were very delighted to find the Bronze-winged Jarcana and Purple Swamphen.

Bronze-winged Jarcana

Bronze-winged Jarcana

Purple Swamphen

Purple Swamphen with its young chicks

An Un-common species at this area, the Cotton Pygmy Goose

Thanks for reading.

Javan Frogmouth

Javan Frogmouth

In early September this year, I went to the Krung Ching Waterfall of Khao Luang National Park at Southern Thailand. One of the primary target of the trip was the Javan Frogmouth. After numerous attempts to find the bird along the park main road, we ended with no sighting of the bird.

The Main Road at Krung Ching Waterfall

On the last day of the trip, we were getting desperate of finding the target bird. The local guide suggested to "venture" into the forest. At first I was a bit reluctant and fear of bumping into a king cobra inside the forest canopy. I could not resist the temptation of getting the photo lifer. I followed the guide into the forest. It was a big challenge carrying the bulky equipments, moreover the hilly terrain made the hiking  very tough. Here is the video clip of the adventure inside the forest:

Shooting under the forest canopy. The Javan Frogmouth perched few meter away

In birding, we always say "no pain no gain". This video is a good testimony of the "no pain no gain" motto.

Thanks for reading.

A Break From Birding Activities

My previous post for this blog was dated July 31. You may be curious that why I did not update my blog lately. I lost my passion and mojo in bird photography, thus I decided to take a hiatus from birding. I spent most of my leisure time on mountain biking There are more excitements on mountain biking.

Thanks for reading.

My Photo Won a Photo Contest

My photo of a female Black-naped Monarch feeding on the young chicks won the monthly photography contest organized by PhotoMalaysia Website. The photo was selected as the second runner up.

Here is the link to the site:
PhotoMalaysia Jun 2011 Contest

Thanks for viewing.

Black and Yellow Broadbill

Species: Black and Yellow Broadbill (Eurylaimus Ochromalus 17 cm) 

Location: Ulu Paip, Kedah, Malaysia.

Shooting Data: 1 D mk4, EF 800 IS, ISO 1600 - 2000, AP Mode F8.

Thanks for viewing.

Bar-backed Partridge

This is my first lifer of the Partridge species (Arborophila brunneopectus 28 cm). I managed to photograph it at the Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. The photos were captured using the Canon Eos 1 D mk4 with EF 800 Is lens.

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Baya Weaver

It is really amazing to see the nest of Baya Weaver. The nest is perfectly weaved with natural fibre. Recently I took some time off while visiting Singapore to photograph the nesting process of the Baya Weaver. We found a series of nests at a remote north west corner of Singapore. Some of nests were completed, the adult birds were actively ferrying food into the nest. I also found a few other nests which are partially constructed. The adult birds were working hard gathering the nesting material into the nest. The adult birds weaved the nests using leaf and natural fibre found nearby. The "craftsmanship" is really superb, I would call it the world best weaving "machine".

Working hard on the partially completed nest :

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Long-tailed Broadbill

March 19 2011. Last week, I went for a 4 days (12 to 15 March) birding trip to Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. One of my main target was to photograph the Long-tailed Broadbill. I have tried many times searching for it at Fraser's Hill but were without success. About 2 weeks before my trip, I received news that the Long-tailed Broadbills at Kaeng Krachan had started the breeding and nesting activities. I was very excited upon hearing the news. With the nesting activities, it made sighting the birds more easy.

It was a week-end when I arrived at Kaeng Krachan. Knowing that the park will be packed with visitors, I opted to photograph the Pheasant, Partridge and other common birds at some small pond outside the park. We will look for the Long-tailed Broadbill inside the park on Monday and Tuesday when traffic is lesser along the mountain road.

We started the day early on Monday (14th March) morning. The morning called was on 5 am and breakfast was served at 5.30 am. By 6.30 am we were already at the park main gate.

The ride to the km27 near the summit was about an hour. There were plenty of scenic views during the ride uphill. 

The blur photo caused by the bumpy ride behind the Hilux.

Upon reaching the km27, I was delighted to hear a series of voice of pseew, pseew, pseew, I realized that the target was nearby, my adrenaline rush when I was setting my gears. I decided to carry only minimum gears and opted to shoot  with my Eos 1 D mk4 with the EF 800 lens only.  I left behind the flash system. I realized that we have to do some miles of hiking today thus weight is a critical factor. 

We found an uncompleted nest at a tree beside the mountain road. The adult birds were busy carrying nesting materials back to the nest. The birds would perched at some twigs nearby before heading into the nest. 

Isn't it cute ? A cartoon look bird.

Happy faces, after the close encounter with the Long-tailed Broadbill :

We found another nest further uphill from the first location. This one was already completed and the adult bird was incubating inside the nest. I stop briefly near the nest and quickly proceeded to the next location.

Later at another location, we all have to squeeze under some bamboo trees for getting perfect picture composition of the subject.

The black color feather at the head section reminded me the classic hair style of "Elvis".  Elvis is alive at Kaeng Krachan !

By noon, I had accomplished my objective and so do my partners. We all left km27 with a happy face. 

Birds of Bukit Tinggi

Last month I took some time off to visit Bukit Tinggi. The last time I visited this place was on May 2009. I saw in some local bird forum that the Orange-headed Trush (OHT) was sighted here by some photographers. I have been long wanted to photographed the OHT but on the past few occasions I was not able to find time to visit Bukit Tinggi due to work commitment. For this new sighting, I would't want to miss the opportunities again. 

I arrived at the peak of Bukit Tinggi at about 7.30 am. I immediately set up my gears. Without wasting time (because it was a half dat trip only) I headed to the first shooting location, the plant nursery at the Japanese Garden. Many birds came to the nursery hunting for the  moths and other inserts in morning. 

A Dark-sided Flycatcher perched nearby the nursery:

Later I spotted a bird with light blue feather perched at a tree nearby, it was a Verditer Flycatcher: 

After the Verditer Flycatcher left, a bird with the "punk hair-style" came and perched at the stem of a plant. It was an Ochraceous Bulbul. The fella was looking for the moths as its breakfast.

The Ochraceous Bulbul only stayed on the perched briefly but long enough to let me took a few snap shots. After the Bulbul left, I was attracted by an orange color bird perched on a single horizontal twig. It was a Orange-breasted Trogon. 

A Yellow wagtail stood at the side roof of the nursery. 

It was a busy morning at the nursery. Unfortunately there was still no sighting of the Orange-headed Thrush (OHT). As I was walking toward the car park. I saw my fellow bird photog, Adrian. He hang around this place very often, he was so kind to tell me the precise location of the OHT.

My lifer of the day, the OHT:

The winter migrant bird from the far north, Mugimaki Flycatcher :

Thanks for reading, your comments are welcome.