A Malaysian Birder: November 2011

Canon HF200 Still Images

Posted by wengchun 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.

Showtime: Promising Photo of Spotted Dove vs A Bad Photo

Posted by wengchun Thursday, November 24, 2011 Labels: 35mm showtime adapter, birds, kuala lumpur

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...

Too close and Unprepared

Posted by wengchun Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Labels: dslr, sunbird

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!

Showtime: 22 November 2011 - Rimba Kiara

Posted by wengchun Labels: 35mm showtime adapter, hornbill, 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.

Unexpected Parrot in KL

Posted by wengchun Monday, November 21, 2011 Labels: 35mm showtime adapter, black-thighed falconet, coppersmith barbet, kingfisher, parrot

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?

Showtime: 21 November 2011

Posted by wengchun Sunday, November 20, 2011 Labels: 35mm showtime adapter, birds, kingfisher, kuala lumpur

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.

Digiscoping: 17 November 2011, Bukit Damansara

Posted by wengchun Thursday, November 17, 2011 Labels: 35mm showtime adapter, birds, kuala lumpur, shrike

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.

Digiscoping: 17 November 2011, Bangi

Posted by wengchun Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Labels: bangi, birds, digiscopng, starling

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%

Digiscoping: 16 November 2011, Bangi

Posted by wengchun Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Labels: bangi, birds, digiscoping, starling

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%

Digiscoping: 15 November 2011, Kuala Lumpur

Posted by wengchun Labels: black-thighed falconet, common flameback, coppersmith barbet, digiscopng

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.

Putrajaya Heronry

Posted by wengchun Sunday, November 13, 2011 Labels: dslr, heron, heronry, putrajaya

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.

Digiscoping: 12 November 2011

Posted by wengchun Saturday, November 12, 2011 Labels: digiscoping, malaysia, yellow bittern

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.