Saturday, May 30, 2009

Birdwatching made easy in Kuala Baram

It was supposed to be an early day out birdwatching but alas, surfed Cabelas into the wee hours of the morning the nite before, so early on this particular Saturday morning meant breakfast at 0730 hrs. Birdwatching didn't start till about 0900hrs. On the coast that's late ... very late!

It wasn't dissappointing to say the least :
Blue-throated Bee-eater, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, White-breated Woodswallow, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Iora, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black-headed Munia, Dusky Munia, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Lesser Coucal, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Spotted Dove, Pied Thriller, Ashy Tailorbird and A Brown Tree-snake that tried it's best to invade the nest of a woodswallow but was easily thwarted by three very determined birds.


Find yourself a big leafy, shady tree and plunk yourself on a comfy chair next to your scope and get your binoculars handy. The old junk and pesky birding buddy are optional.


Enjoy the view, ignore the occasional traffic and wait for the birds to come. The area is flanked by the peatswamp, Sungai Baram on the left; brackish marshland and South China Sea to the right. There are plenty of insects, caterpillars and prey for birds. The view isn't half bad.


A beautiful raptor sitting on a dead branch surveying his patch.


A nest the raptor was at initially. The many large, bare tall trees in Kuala Baram provides suitable nesting sites for several raptor species, from Falconets, Brahminy Kites, White-bellied Sea Eagles and others. It's proximity to human habitation and easy access however meant that a few of these nests have been vandalised for eggs by unscrupulous people in the past.


There were many bee-eaters in the area.


Oi! Where's my breakfast?


This little birdie walloped quite a few fat caterpillars before he noticed that he's being watched.


There were constantly a pair of Pied Thrillers chasing each other amongst the branches, these too were after caterpillars.


Another happy customer.


A pair of White-breasted Woodswallows intently watching over their nest on the same tree.


An unassuming place to raise up a brood.


An 'unwanted' visitor to the woodswallow's humble abode. He was quickly evicted by a pair of very aggressive and protective parents.


This beautifully patterned monitor lizard too would not hesitate climbing up a tree in search of food ... just look at his girth, one prosperous little opportunist.

For more birds forays in Kuala Baram checkout http://mnsmiri.blogspot.com


All photos were digiscoped.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Old Man in Kota Bharu April 2009


Old man playing chess near the old taxi station, Kota Bharu. April 2009.

I can't remember the last time I lugged any of my film cameras out for a fun day out shooting black and white. Let's see : ran out of Neopan Jan 2008, ordered film April 2008, films arrived Aug 2008, picked up film from KL Sep 2008 ... busy busy with other stuff ... thought I found a potential model ... turned out I was wrong. Bought the 40d Jan 2009. Films are still packed, cameras are in the drybox ... model none to be seen. 2008 already concluded as a dismal year for personal B&W. Six months to go for 2009, already looking as dismal as 2008 as far as personal B&W images are concerned. Dang!!!!

This picture was taken roaming around Kota Bharu one afternoon with Canon 40d, converted to B&W on PS.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A few birds from Kuala Miri

The new Kuala Miri located past the Miri Golf Course at the end Kampung Pulau Melayu is also a good place to see typical coastal birds ie. White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kites, Pied Thriller, White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher and the like. Went there back in April and caught a few on camera, perhaps worth going again. The setting is very nice, cool breeze and very expansive view of the coast under the shades of young casuarina trees.


Not quite sure what this raptor is, I know it's not White-bellied Sea Eagle not Brahminy Kite. It was being chased after by White-breasted Woodswallow.


A Pied Thriller checking out the abundant insects on the casuarinas.


A pair of very aggressive White-breasted Woodswallow, perhaps protecting a nest or just being territorial.


A Cattle Egret in breeding plumage. These normally hang out by the roadside by the grass.

All photos were taken 05th April 2009.

Backyard Birdwatching

I was told that there are at least 7 species of birds around our garden : Oriental Magpie Robin, Peaceful Dove, Spotted Dove, Asian Glossy Starling, House-Swift, Eurasian Tree-Sparrow, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, White-breasted Woodswallow, White-breasted Waterhen, Black-headed Munia, Dusky Munia, Pacific Swallow, Olive-backed Sunbird, and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. Wait a minute ... that's 14! Not including the occasional Common Sandpiper that comes around now and again.

Some of the little birdies in our garden:









We have a few flowering plants in the garden, the main attraction however seems to be a flowering parasitic creeper ... for the few sunbirds at least.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

More birds in Kinabalu Park


Bornean Treepie


Scarlet Sunbird


Little Pied Flycatcher


Chestnut-crested Yuhina


Chestnut -crested Yuhina


Chestnut-capped Laughingtrush


Ashy Drongo


Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike


Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike


Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike

Birds today are from greater distances, most fruitfull from the parking lot near the Annex.

Birders in Kinabalu Park


Tsechien


Makus


Nelsonkhor, Phil, Tsechien, Makus


Karim aka Sinooorita


Makus, Adrian, Sree


Sree, not pictured Weefar, Alagan.

Birding kinabalu park


Birdies

Friday, May 1, 2009

Still birding ...


Mountain Tailorbird


Little Pied Flycatcher



This is just way too much fun! A couple more on the list ...

Still birding ...







Friendly guy this Indigo Flycatcher ... shot with an EF 300/4.0 with a TC1.4 with a 1.6 camera crop factor from the verandah!!!