(Some) Birds of Fraser's Hill

Chestnut-capped Laughing Trush:




Long-tailed Sibia:




Silver-eared Mesia:







Scarlet Minivet (M):



Yet-to-ID:





Blue Nuthatch:




Lesser Racquet-tail Drongo:

Another Island (Tioman) Getaway

Making up for 2009, our 2nd visit for the year before the end of 1st Quarter 2010. Blessed with good weather for our dives and excellent for getting great colours for photos.

Missed out on the dolphins as the pod was spotted on our way back from our dives. None of us had a camera then. Even if we did, the dolphins were pretty far away for a descent shot.

The inviting waters on the day of our arrival. We would be jumping off the jetty (left of the pic) every day be it low or high time. Low tide means more airborne time ;-)







Fiery sunsets...




... even if the sun was obscured by clouds, the sky would be on fire.



Nocturnal creatures:
A flying fox....






... and Ghost crabs (I think that's what its called).




For size comparison only. Creature was not harmed in any way during the course of this photoshoot.




"Howling" moon. Good for Thriller music to be played.

And more Raptors

Made another trip back to Tg. Tuan to see if we can catch more raptors flying in. Although we were earlier than the previous week, the raptors were even more early. According to the birders doing the raptor count, most of them came in around 9.30am.

Managed to catch some of the later ones as they arrived.

Like fighter squadrons as they approach land.




I love the wing spread as they glide so magnificently.



Look of relief?




No, not a raptor that has fallen into the sea but a turtle! There were lots of turtle sightings in the sea below the lighthouse. Looks like a hawksbill turtle.

Raptors over Tg. Tuan (Raptor Watch 2010)

These magnificent birds of prey are on their annual migratory flight back to their breeding grounds up north. Some heading to Japan, Korea, India, China even as far up as Mongolia & Siberia. They seek refuge south during the winter months.

These birds have just crossed over the Straits of Malacca from Sumatra. Its a perilous journey as they must gain sufficient height to glide over the straits least they plunge into the sea. Some are really low by the time they are near to land and have to flap the remaining bit.




Raptors over the landmass catching the thermal updraft to gain height before gliding to the next destination.




Catching the raptors at eye-level from the Tg. Tuan lighthouse.

Tioman - Lucky Shots!!

Being at the right place, right time and right equipment on hand got me these unexpected shots!

A sailfish playing(?)/ hunting(?) between Panuba & Air Batang village in relatively shallow waters.

Backtrack to Hutan Lipur Ulu Perdik

Some images from the previous weekend's daytrip to the Ulu Perdik Forest Reserve.

Velveted-front Nuthatch






A pair of Lantern bugs.

Grey & Purple Herons of Kinta Nature Park.

Heron coming in to perch... the original karate-kid :P



.. then it opens its wings to sunbathe/dry?





Purple heron in flight...

Otter at the Kinta Nature Park!

Thanks to Milo who was patiently staking out the herons to photograph them feeding, he spotted an elusive & shy subject.. an otter who had caught its meal and happily enjoying his catch in the lake.

Amazing Hummingbird Hawk-moth aka Shrimp Moth

An elusive subject that we have sought to photograph for a very long time since we first got to know about it.

A moth but with wingbeat as fast as a hummingbird and darts around like one, it is often mistaken for a hummingbird. Hard to see and even harder to photograph, a most amazing photo opportunity presented us not with one but four Hummingbird Hawk-moths!!

KNP Birds - Kingfisher Dive Sequence

Being at the right place, right time and having the right equipment... just the camera settings not quite right. Still a dazzling sequence.

KNP Birds - Kingfisher Sequence