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Canon HF200 Still Images

Tuesday, November 29, 2011





During a recent guiding assignment, I had to use the Canon HF200 camcorder to make record shots and videos since I lost (misplaced) my digiscoping adapter just a day before the trip. But this is indeed a blessing in disguise. I never know that the camcorder would allow me to take still images while pausing a video on the camcorder. Although the images will not win any award, but it is indeed useful to make record shots.
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Showtime: Promising Photo of Spotted Dove vs A Bad Photo

Thursday, November 24, 2011


There was a Spotted Dove trying to camouflage on the ground when I was testing the combo. Since it was within a few meters away, I decided to take a few photos instead of video. Back home, I uploaded the photo files to my netbook and did a bit of post processing with Photoshop. Here is the result of the best photo among the few.

And this one is a badly taken photo...

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Too close and Unprepared

Tuesday, November 22, 2011


I have been informed about the blooming of Tiger Orchid in a friend's garden 2 days ago. Took a peek at the flowers yesterday afternoon but lighting was not good, so I went back to his garden this morning. As I moved closer to look at the flower, an Olive-backed Sunbird flew in and perched on a Heliconia bract to feed on the nectar. It was so sudden, I only had my wide-angle lens attached to the DSLR body. My 300mm lens is still in my bag next to me. I keep observing the bird and amazed by the beautiful colors. After 30 seconds of admiring at the bird, I decided to change the lens. It was still around when I finally got the telephoto attached to the camera body. Took couple of shots but 90% blur due to hand shake. Oh well, better luck next time!

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Showtime: 22 November 2011 - Rimba Kiara

Took a late lunch break today. After a nice plate of Chicken Rice, went over to Rimba Kiara. I was looking at all the epiphytes on the tress while carrying the camera and Showtime+Canon HF200 combo. The usual birds sighted were Asian Glossy Starling, Common Myna, White-throated Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater and Asian Brown Flycatcher. All of a sudden, heard a loud call coming from outside the park. HORNBILL!!!!
The same call I heard during my previous visit but never got to locate it. But today, the bird flew to a tree next to my car.

Initially it was perching high above me, not a good angle but aimed at the bird anyway, just to get record shot. I tried to move further to get a better angle, I was lucky it stayed pretty long for another viewing angle. Then, it flew down and perch on the palm frond. Eye level view!!! that's great, better angle for photo and video.

Here are some shots taken with the Showtime+Canon HF200. Photo rotated, USM and resized for web sharing.







Apart from the hornbill, I was also focusing on the praying mantis.
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Unexpected Parrot in KL

Monday, November 21, 2011
With the Showtime+Canon HF200 combo ready for some action, I drove to 'park' again just like any other evening after work. Hoping to catch the Common Flameback again or perhaps, the Black-thighed Falconet or Coppersmith Barbet will come down to almost eye-level. As I stepped out from the car, I noticed a rather medium sized bird perching on the other side of the park. Quickly took out the binocular in the bag, and saw this parrot. OK I admit, I have no idea what parrot this is when I saw it. So, I quickly setup the tripod and mounted the combo. Luckily managed to take a few shots and short video footage with the camcorder (did not bring along the Nikon P5100 today).

Tried to flipping through my Southeast Asia field guide. Nothing. Then, checked through the illustration on the Australia field guide given by one of my previous birding guests. Zip. Next option, browse through the parrot images on the WORLD WIDE WEB. And it turn out to be a GREY PARROT. Anybody want to comment on the ID?

Escapee? That's what I thought. KL Bird Park is not far from here. If big bird like Hadada Ibis can escape, why not this parrot?







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Showtime: 21 November 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011
I bought a Showtime 35mm adapter last year and tested it a couple of time. Due to lack of time, I had to put it aside and concentrate more on digiscoping during guiding assignments. I must admit my photos and videos are not up to the standard shown by the group of Showtime owner in Taiwan, but frankly I felt this adapter has its potential despite some disadvantages of using it in the field.

This morning i decided to bring it along for work, so that I can take a few shots through Canon Legria HF200. When I arrived at the park, most of the birds are high up on the tree with sun against me. Then, a White-throated Kingfisher flew past me and perched on the wire. Ok, time to test the photo mode on the camcorder. Below is the result with the original size 2304 x 1296 pixel reduced to 780 x 400 pixel. After resizing, I added the auto-contrast and USM (Amount 80% / Radius 0.3 pixels). The photo editing workflow is done with Photoshop CS (yes...still using the old version since my 3 years old netbook cannot support the new version).



The following photo is taken with the Canon Legria HF200 attached to Omicron 80ED Harrier spotting scope just to show comparison of the results. I used the remote control to snap both photo to reduce vibration.



Here is a shot taken last month in Melaka with the 35mm Showtime + Canon HF200.

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Digiscoping: 17 November 2011, Bukit Damansara

Thursday, November 17, 2011
While driving around my workplace, I saw a Brown Shrike perching on the wire. Another test with the digiscoping gear with a 25%-50% zoom on the Nikon P5100.





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Digiscoping: 17 November 2011, Bangi

Wednesday, November 16, 2011


Before going into the office, I dropped by at the same park in Bangi very early this morning. Waited for the Starlings at the same Casuarina tree but unfortunately, they only flew by and did not perch. Then, I went to another section of the park and heard Asian Glossy Starling. This is actually a mix flock of Asian Glossy Starling and Purple-backed Starling. BINGO!





All photos taken with Omicron Spotting Scope 80ED Harrier, Nikon P5100 camera and Cheang Kum Seng's digiscoping adapter. Zoom with the camera is limited to 25%-50%
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Digiscoping: 16 November 2011, Bangi

Tuesday, November 15, 2011






Finally, a decent shot of Common Sandpiper taken with my digiscoping setup. Common Sandpiper is a common wader here in Peninsular Malaysia, especially the area where I live. But the numbers are extremely low. The site where I went this morning is located in Bangi and I spotted 2 birds. Other birds sighted and targeted today include Pied Triller, White-throated Kingfisher, Pink-necked Pigeon, Common Myna, Javan Myna, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Baya Weaver, Scaly-breasted Munia, House Crow, Little Heron, Purple Heron, Painted Stork and Little Egret.



In another section of the park, I found a flock of Purple-backed Starling on Pine trees. Apparently, they are feeding on the needle-like leaves just like my past observation on Asian Glossy Starling 'chewing' the leaves of Rain Tree (that was back in 2005).



A huge flock of House Crow chased the Starlings away....sigh.



All photos taken with Omicron Spotting Scope 80ED Harrier, Nikon P5100 camera and Cheang Kum Seng's digiscoping adapter. Zoom with the camera is limited to 25%-50%
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Digiscoping: 15 November 2011, Kuala Lumpur





Another usual evening going through heavy traffic after work. But since I have my digiscoping gears in the car, I decided to make a visit to a quiet park located between office and home. Immediately after exiting the highway, a pair of woodpecker flew in front of me - what a delightful welcome. Arriving at the park, the usual suspects were perching high up on the tall trees. A pair of Black-thighed Falconet have been sighted during my first visit and other subsequent visits. Meanwhile, Coppersmith Barbet was calling from the perch near where I parked my car.



All photos taken with Omicron Spotting Scope 80ED Harrier, Nikon P5100 camera and Cheang Kum Seng's digiscoping adapter.
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Putrajaya Heronry

Sunday, November 13, 2011


This heronry located in Putrajaya is my favorite place to practice flight shot and to observe the nesting of the Painted Stork. It's been a while since I last do photography / digiscoping at this site although I have showed this place to a few birding guests.



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Digiscoping: 12 November 2011

Saturday, November 12, 2011


I wanted to show a friend the Common Kingfisher which I have been seeing for the past few trips I made to this wetland. Unfortunately, the kingfisher came and stop for a few second before flying off to the opposite side of the lake. So, I use the Blue-tailed Bee-eater and Yellow Bittern for target practice this morning while he was busy shooting the herons and egrets in flight.



All photos taken with Omicron Spotting Scope 80ED Harrier, Nikon P5100 camera and Cheang Kum Seng's digiscoping adapter.
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Licensed Tourist Guide specialized in birdwatching and photography tour in Peninsular Malaysia. BSc Forestry (Parks & Recreation Management).

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Birds of Peninsular Malaysia

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Birds of Peninsular Malaysia

Wildlife in Peninsular Malaysia

Wildlife in Peninsular Malaysia
A collection of wildlife photographs in Peninsular Malaysia that includes mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Some photographs are taken with camera while some are taken with mobile phone whenever I get the opportunities to shoot while on a guiding assignment.

Insects

Insects
You will see other interesting insects during your birding adventure with me. Here are some of the photos I have extracted from my hard drives..

Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia

Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia
Collection of photographs for reference.

Notable Plants While Birding

Notable Plants While Birding
There will be some interesting flora that will definitely catch your attention while going out on a birdwatching trip with me. I am in the midst of compiling all the plants, please return to this website for updates. Thank you.

Southeast Asia Birding

Southeast Asia Birding
Sometimes I accompany my regular guests for birding trips out of Peninsular Malaysia. Check out what we found.
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Birds & Wildlife in Malaysia

About Me

I'm a bird watcher, digiscoper, photographer and a licensed nature guide. Welcome to my 'A Malaysian Birder' blog. I will post my bird sightings and photographs on this blog. I started bird watching while studying in university. After graduating with a degree in forestry specializing in parks and recreation management, I have been attached to the parks and gardens industry. My past work experiences involve conducting environmental education program, bird watching and many more. When I go out to the field, I will usually have my Leica Ultravid 10x32 binocular and Kowa TSN-501 spotting scope with me. This is the lightest setup for me as I prefer to go light these days. There are times, I will have my parabolic microphone in the field for recording bird calls.

In the past, I will have my Kowa BDXD 8x32 binocular, Zoom H2N recorder, Kowa TSN-501 and my favorite Nikon1 V1 with a 70-300mm lens. This is the lightest setup I have tried.

Bird Watching Tours

There are quite a number of birding groups from Australia, United States and United Kingdom that come over to Malaysia annually visiting the traditional key sites that include Kuala Selangor, Fraser's Hill and Taman Negara. There is not doubt that the 3 sites are the preferred birding sites in Peninsular Malaysia. So if you are coming over for birding and intend to hire a guide, you can send me an email at nature2pixel@gmail.com and go over to posting section to view photos and summary of trip reports with testimonials from past clients.

Besides following the traditional route, I also customized trip according to clients needs, preference and interests. So there are some local patches that I can introduce to all bird watchers, digiscopers and photographers.

Here are a few of my favorite birding spots around Kuala Lumpur.

• Kuala Selangor - the habitats include mangrove forest. Good for woodpecker and kingfisher. Some amount of walking is required on flat terrain.

• Fraser's Hill - one of the traditional key sites for birding in Peninsular Malaysia and still the best place to visit. Elevation between 900 - 1200m above sea level. The species found here are different from the city of Kuala Lumpur. Targets may include Trogon, Woodpecker, Partridge, Laughingthrush, Leafbird, Spiderhunter and Sunbird.

• Hulu Langat - one of the most visited birding spot due to its proximity from the city centre. Walking is required but on easy terrain in this lowland forest. Sometimes need to wait at fruiting trees. Generally a good spot for Broadbill, Kingfisher, and Babbler.

• Bukit Tinggi - An alternative spot if you do not want to spend too long hours travelling to Fraser's Hill. It's about 900m to 1,000m above sea level and you get a combination of lowland and highland species at this elevation. Walking is required but just a short distance. Traditional known for Broadbill, Hornbill, Partridge and Pheasant.

• Gombak-Ampang - Generally recommended for photographers targeting Blue-eared Kingfisher and at times during fruiting season, it attracts many species of Bulbul and Barbet. Located in urban area.

My Artwork Products

Bird Video

I am also interested to take video of birds. Here are some of my favorite videos for your viewing. Video taken with Nikon1 V1 attached to a Sigma 500mm f4.5 and most of the time iPhone SE through the spotting scope. Editing is done on smartphone Power Director for Android device and I also like the iMovie on iPhone. Enjoy.

Recommended Field Guides

If you are interested to get a copy of field guides to assist you to learn and identify birds in Malaysia. Click the followings to find out more.