09/01/2010: Sungai Burung (Penang)

I spend a couple of hours here after doing a photo-shoot for a client in the nearby area. The surrounding paddy fields were all completely planted and the farmers are just waiting to harvest their rewards.

This Black-winged Kite is using the electrical cables at the edge of the fields as a vantage point to look for breakfast.

The Barn Swallows on the other hand use them as a resting point in between their aerial sallies for food.

As the going was rather slow this morning, anything that moves will very likely be noticed and photographed like this young Monitor Lizard.

The sight of a distance raptor quartering above the paddy fields awaken my senses and it turned out to be an immature Brahminy Kite.

In situations like this, I will usually use my car to reduce the distance between the raptor and me. However, this time I decided to stay put and wait for it to come to me since it was flying in my direction anyway. Gradually, it did and I got the shots I wanted. Although the lighting was a little harsh, the images turned out quite well. I really enjoy photographing birds in flight, especially raptors. It's like having the ability to stop time...

02/01/2010: Pulau Burung & Kubang Semang (Penang)

I took my godfather to this locality because he was quite eager to see if it is just as good as I swear it to be. One of my very first birding trips that my godfather took me to was this locality back in 1989. It was during one of MNS Penang’s monthly bird trip led by my old friend and mentor, Kanda Kumar. When Kanda started to call out the names of the birds we came across during the trip, I was truly impressed and it made a quite an impression on me. I knew there and then that this activity of identifying, recording and observing wild birds will become a significant part of my life. This place has changed tremendously since then but the love affair that started more than twenty years is still burning strong. One of the most noticeable differences is the existence of the marshlands and the ponds. It was quite appropriate then that the Little Grebes paddling along in the pond were the first birds to greet my godfather.

My godfather was rather surprised by the tameness of the birds found here. There is no better example of this fact than the ever-confiding Wood Sandpipers.

Reflections of wings and inspiration…

The Black-winged Stilt brought back memories for the both of us of just how rare it was back in the old days. Nowadays, this species is a regular sight especially here in Penang.

The White-browed Crakes were unusually active and confiding this morning…

A pair of Collared Kingfishers kept us occupied for quite some time at their usual perch.

Even the commonest of birds can be very attractive models, like this Pacific Swallow…

The same goes for mammals as well like this Long-tailed Macaque…

Swinhoe Snipe or Pintail Snipe?...Swinhoe or Pintail?

Let’s see. Relatively small and slim, yellowish legs and eyes not set far to the back...

When still in doubt always go for the commoner one. I guess Pintail Snipe it is then.

Like I always say, this is the best place for Blue-tailed Bee-eaters...

Strike a pose...

And they start young – like this juvenile….

After Pulau Burung, we headed to the paddy fields at Kubang Semang for the Aquila Eagles. While searching for the eagles, an immature Black Kite came into view and proceeded to give a memorable performance for us to enjoy.

Who’s watching who now…

A large eagle was seen at quite a distance flying towards us. It did not take long for me to shout out the words IMPERIAL…

This individual is a subadult because it lacks the white saddle on its back and the crown is still rather dull. Here is the adult bird I saw the year before for comparison. At least this season the eagles are wintering here instead of passing through like the year before. Better hurry back to Penang, Dave!

As the lighting condition was quite harsh, the quality of the images I took of this magnificent raptor left much room for improvement. Nevertheless, it looks awesome in flight with its massive wings and ferocious overall appearance.

And a handsome Black-winged Kite quite willingly posed for us when we were making our way out of the paddy fields.

01/01/2010: Bukit Penara (Penang)

Today marks the beginning of a brand new year. As with every New Year day, my wife has to go into her office for a couple hours and as for me, I was at one of my local patches which is becoming like an annual ritual for me. This New Year day “outing” of mine also gives me a chance to reflect on the year that has come and gone. As far as New Year resolutions go, it has been and still is the same resolution for the past decade - to kick an unhealthy habit of mine. I hope I’m up to the challenge this time round. I will usually bird for an hour or so in a slow and relaxing pace and be home before my wife gets back from work. I guess being a happily married birder is all about time management. Anyway, I decided to visit this locality since it has been quite a while since my last visit.

It was rather slow morning and a troop of Dusky Leaf-monkeys gorging on a fruiting tree provided me with some entertainment in the absence of birds.

So did a foraging Giant Black Squirrel…

The male Asian Fairy-bluebird is certainly one of the most attractive forest birds that occur in my home state. Although it is not uncommon, I am still waiting for my first clear image of this species. Well, today is certainly not the day…

A rather tidy-looking Dark-sided Flycatcher caught my full attention momentarily as I had to ascertain its identification. The best thing about birding is that anything can turn up anywhere. Although it was only a Dark-sided Flycatcher this time but the excitement it created in me helped brightened up a dull day.

The loud and distinct call of the White-bellied Woodpecker echoing nearby got my adrenalin pumping again. After a quick scan along the canopy levels, I managed to pick out a stunning male bird drumming away on one of the tree trunks. However, I could only obtained records shots because he was foraging in the highest level. No amount of pleading could convince this impressive bird to forage a little lower.

A female Emerald Dove was the last bird to help me welcome in the new year before I decided to call it a day.

30/12/2009: Bukit Wang Recreational Forest (Kedah)

Choo Eng and I decided to check out this northern forest reserve and as it is the first time for the both of us, we don't really know what to expect.

We arrived at the car park shortly after dawn and were greeted by a flock of Bushy-crested Hornbills flying out from their roost. One of the indications if a locality has any potential in terms of birding is that it still supports wild populations of hornbills. When we were about to leave the car park area, Choo Eng spotted an unfamiliar bird foraging on the road. Upon further scrutiny, it turned out to be a Taiga Flycather - a rare migrant to Malaysia with only a handful of confirmed records.

Although this is the third time in my life I have come across this flycather, I am equally as excited as I now have the opportunity to capture its images. The bird just forage around the car park area, paying much attention to what else but the rubbish dump. It was not particularly shy but due to the poor lighting conditions, the images were not that clear but good enough for identification.

Although it looks like the much commoner Asian Brown Flycather, it prefers to forage on the ground and the lower levels. It also possesses a habit of corking up its tail. You can say that it is one of those birds that when you see, you will know it.

The park itself was quite charming with all the bridges and huts...

Further in, the forest trail cuts through some pristine habitat...

Bird photography in the forest is not easy and in most cases, not many great images are obtained. It is no different here although we managed to record about 70 species during this day trip. The foliage and lighting conditions are major factors you have to face when photographing forest birds. Although this Hairy-backed Bulbul was rather confiding, the dim lighting and shadows somehow made the image lose some of its appeal.

The same goes for this Cream-vented Bulbul...

Hornbills are notoriously shy birds - especially to me. I have been trying to obtain good images of the Bushy-crested Hornbills for a long time but without success. I guess the only reason this female disregarded the attention I was giving her was because she was quite far away and almost half hidden. My patient wait for her to show more of herself was futile. Perhaps I should try praying or bribing...

But then there are moments of magic when everything just falls right in place. It is these moments that make hours of slugging it out in the hot and humid tropical rain forest worth the while. A stunning male Black-and-yellow Broadbill decided to provide the magic this time.

My wife is particularly fond of this species (and so am I) and she calls it the Cartoon Bird. It is quite a logical description for this jungle jewel. It does appear rather comical at times and the blue coloured bill looks so unreal. Thanks, buddy!

Yours truly having a tiring but rewarding time at this new playground...

Bat Hawks are one of the most enigmatic raptors around and every sighting is a bonus. A pair of these crepuscular hunters was seen resting on a tall tree just next to the access road. As the birds were quite high up, they don't see a couple of birders as threat and allowed us to capture as many shot as we wanted. Our maiden trip to this locality turned out much better than I had expected. I can foresee numerous trips to this new birding hot spot in future.

Try to keep it down, wil' ya? I'm tryin' to get some sleep here...