Birding at Bukit Tinggi

Had the opportunity to meet up with my Singapore NPSS photographers in Bukit Tinggi on 13 & 15th March 2010. As the accommodation in Bukit Tinggi was a bit steep for me on my own, I decided to drive from KL to Bukit Tinggi daily. I used the Middle Ring Road and Karak Highway from Cheras ~ took me less than an hour to reach. Toll fee RM5.00.

Anyway, as bird-brain as myself, for this trip, I forgot to bring my tripod along! Most of the shots that I tried to handhold ended up as "trash". For some shots, I tried using a beanbag, though this meant that I have to almost crouch on the floor to see through my viewfinder. Luckily for me, I met up with Con later who happened to have a spare tripod in his car! Phew!!

A few star birds we were after - silver breasted broadbill, mugimaki flycatcher and red bearded bee-eater.

We put out some worm baits to tempt the mugimaki flycatcher to come out of its hiding....but this black and white fellow (magpie-robin), a very common bird, kept stealing the show and our baits!



Luckily, the super star didnt forsake its appearance....(image was underexposed and had to be recovered using Photoshop - resulting in quite some noise on the shadow areas).


I dont have any shots of the broadbill or bee-eater that I am happy with, so I have to think about going for re-shoots. Sharing also images of the female mugimaki flycatcher....taken using beanbag as a support!

The bird was probably peering to see what I was doing lying on the ground....

Back with Birders' friends to Fraser's Hill

Well, I have been away for a long long time from bird-watching with my old birding friends in KL. So it was very lucky for me that I could join one of their overnight trip to Fraser's Hill (26 & 27 feb 2010).

Fraser's bird sightings was rather "dry" that day...was hoping to sight the collared owlet that the group saw the week before, but no such luck for me! Birds were perching way way far away, and even with a 500mm lens, I would never be able to make any great shots. Nevertheless, being able to spend time strolling along the forest edge and enveloped in the Fraser's cool weather is really a joy to behold. And coupled with chatty friends and most yummy homecook food, all these are special bonuses to the trip.

Just sharing two shots to remember this trip by -

I heard this bird first before I could sight it....A mountain bulbul singing its heart away!

For this red-bearded bee-eater, I have to thank Phoon & his gang for sighting this one near our apartment (Silverpark Apartments) and phoning us to come back for some shots. Wished for a better background but no such luck again that day for me.

Red bearded bee-eater

Not sure when I could make my way up to Fraser's again, but hope it will be soon.....as soon as possible. haha!

Common birds

I posted these images in the nature photography singapore society ( www.npss.org.sg) and tease the members to drive 7 hours from Singapore to my area of abode to do bird photography ~ I doubt anyone would for these common birds...ha ha.

Cattle egret @ Ulu Dedap paddyfields - a big flock was following a tractor as it turned up the soil. This egret was lucky to find a juicy meal.

A brahminy kite circling the sky, also hoping for a meal.

A paddyfield pipit (Richard's Pipit) spotted in Kinta Nature Park

Ulu Dedap paddyfields.....

A blue-tailed bee-eater

Just sharing a shot of a bee-eater taken in Ulu Dedap paddy-fields. Our paddy fields can be a treasure mine for birds, and the green paddyfields made such a great background for photography. Initially, I had fear driving my car unto the bunds around the fields, but with Norman by my side, my fears can be set aside. After all, if I get my car into a ditch or whatever, I have someone to shout HELP to.....ha ha.


This bee-eater was flying against the wind, and the wind was so strong that the bird seemed to be hanging there in mid-air not moving...Without the wind to stop its flight, I would never be able to shoot this bird in flight!

Although I am not working at the moment, other commitments at home stopped me from doing much bird photography. Hopefully, more opportunities will come in the near future, so that I can practise more and improve........

Birds shot in Langkawi and Penang

Had fun spending the last days of last year in Langkawi and Penang. Friends from Singapore picked me up in my hometown and we made our way to Penang for 4 days 3 nights...Our itinerary in Langkawi was also 4 days 3 nights but upon chancing on a fruiting fig tree filled with hornbills, we extended one more day! Ha ha....
of all my shots, i loved the chestnut bee-eaters' shots more....

This black-capped kingfisher really made us worked hard to get a shot of him....
All the images (except the raptors' shots) were shot from inside the car using beanbag. Raptors' shots were handheld, from the speedboat. Overall, it was a great bird photography trip....a great end to 2009.

Passing on....

My brother-in-law passed away yesterday, from a heart attack. May he rests in peace and his family comforted....

my four wheels

Havent got a picture of my own yet of the car, so using the image as advertised in the internet buy-sell portal, www.mudah.com.my. I am very happy to have this car, it was in very good condition and runs very well...notwithstanding that it was quite old -born in 1996! I love my Rav4! It even has a sun-roof that I can look out and do my bird shooting...ha ha.

Bought it on 21 Dec 2009 ~ for RM31,000. I thank God for finding me this car~took my dad to KL for his hospital checkup yesterday in the car, and I think he didnt have any complaints about my car. ha ha!!

Anyway, my first car was a Daihatsu Charade, also a used car of about 12 years old when I purchased it. Within the year of usage, it has broken down on me at least twice - final straw, I exchanged it with my eldest sister who wanted to get rid of her new car due to financing issue - a Proton Iswara. After about 5 years of driving it (I think), and joining BP that provided me with an interest-free car loan, I sold off the Proton Iswara to my youngest sister and I bought a new car, Toyota Unser - quite a montrous 7 seater MPV - I love the car too - it was so spacious that I can load all my birding and camping equipments in without any problem. My friends and I took the car for a long drive to Parit Jawa to check on a falconet ~ and then the bad news hit - I have to move to Singapore and needed to sell the car! It was my first car that was registered in my name - the older two cars were in my brother's and sister's names. Anyway, it was 2 weeks of joy of driving that car, and then it was gone.........So, now, my Rav4 is registered in my name,.....I dont want to believe in jinx - i hope it will stay with me for as long as I have used of it - i truly love this little (well, a little big) 4-wheel drive Rav4.
One day, i will try to retrieve my old photos of my previous cars so that i can post them for remembrance.....ha ha....Looking forward to many car expedition journeys in my new car!

On a side note, I am attending Sitiawan branch church meetings now ~ which is a 45mins drive away from my home (see, I am glad I have my own car!). It is a very small branch, and last Sunday attendance was less than 20. I guess there is loads of work that need to be done. Anyway, I was called and ordained as the Sunday school teacher last sunday (10 Jan 2010) for the English & Malay speaking members. Oh boy, i need to brush up on my Malay language...oh boy...oh boy...