It was a typical morning, as I waited by the drain. Yes, a drain. Anyway, 2 Blue-eared Kingfisher were spotted from afar! Parental feeding just above the water. However, it was just too far away from where I was standing. I repositioned myself towards the other end and waited for the birds to perch on somewhere more open. After 30 minutes or so, the juvenile appeared a little far away from where it was spotted. Adult came for a while and fed it, then flew away. Oh well, a good sighting.

I will post more photos on this individual at http://sigma500mmf45.blogspot.com

Click here for more videos in my youtube video channel

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Up in Fraser's Hill, you can surely expect the 2 of the 3 laughingthrushes - Chestnut-capped (Spectacled) and Chestnut-crowned (Malayan) Laughingthrush.

Chesnut-crowned (Malayan) Laughingthrush

Chestnut-capped (Spectacled) Laughingthrush

The other birds that comes along in a regular birding trip include the Lesser Shortwing, Silver-eared Mesia, Fire-tufted Barbet, Mountain Fulvetta, Long-tailed Sibia and the list goes on and on.....

Long-tailed Sibia

Lesser Shortwing

Silver-eared Mesia

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So today was another typical day just like yesterday. Of course, the Rufous-collared Kingfisher has been a regular to the site, there were several other birds spotted in the vicinity. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama, Buff-vented Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Pin-tailed Parrotfinch (what a surprise!), Horsfield's Babbler, Little Spiderhunter and many more.

Another shot of the Rufous-collared Kingfisher < --- click here

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I was planning to go up to Cameron Highlands today. But unfortunately, I woke up late and when I drove out from the house, the traffic was already bad so I decided to cancel the plan and head towards the nearby forest. When I reached the site, there were 2 photographers standing there. I supposed they also looking for the same target.

So we waited for a while and as soon as I heard the kingfisher called, one of the photographers already spotted the bird.

Nikon V1, Sigma 500mm f/4.5

Another view on this link

Darn it. the Nikon D7000 does not provide enough reach. Even after adding the 1.4x TC, I was not able to get a decent AF. So I switched to the V1.

When I managed to get closer, I switched back to D7000.

Holy!!! There is a Rufous-backed in front of us, too close for any of us to get a shot. Then there was also a pair of Scarlet-rumped Trogon. But I only managed to shoot the female.

Nikon V1, Sigma 500mm f/4.5, ISO3200, 1/200sec, 

The hunt is not over yet. We were later rewarded with a pair of Diard's Trogon. Initially we had it very high up the canopy, no clear view with many leaves blocking the birds. In the end, a decent view.

Nikon V1, Sigma 500mm f/4.5

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One of many bird watcher's and photographer's favorites and target birds is Garnet Pitta. Never grow tired of seeing Pitta. Although it is consider easy to see this pitta, it is by no means that I see it everyday or every time I arrive at this spot. Sometimes I can only hear faint calls. Whenever I heard 2 calls close to each other, that means I will definitely not able to see it.

Here is a Garnet Pitta at our favorite stakeout. This stakeout is also good for White-rumped Shama and Short-tailed Babbler. There are also several different babblers and the most common is the Chestnut-winged Babbler.

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During my guided birding trips, I usually bring the guests to this site as a finale to a long trip. The recent was 3 bitterns at 1 spot within 30 seconds. So which 3 bitterns? Of course, the Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon and Black Bittern. Nope...no Von Schrenk Bittern sighted here yet, at least not in my record.

So I headed back to the wetland hoping a get another shot at the Black Bittern. No luck today except for the White-throated Kingfisher, Baya Weaver, Olive-backed Sunbird, Scaly-breasted Munia, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Asian Koel, Red-wattled Lapwing, Coppersmith Barbet, Pied Triller, Black-shouldered Kite.

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Today, it is time to revisit the old playground of Ipoh. My first visit could be almost 10 years ago, so it is always nice to do a trip down memory lane. There were several familiar birds around including White-throated Kingfisher, Cattle Egrets, Grey Heron, Little Heron, Common Myna, Javan Myna, Asian Glossy Starling, Java Sparrow, Blue Rock Thrush, Brown Shrike, Germain's Swiftlet, Pacific Swallow, Banded Bay Cuckoo and many more.

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On another personal trip after a long time, I managed to locate a new spot for the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater. I could have probably seen it nearby this spot, but that could be long long time ago. Anyway, Based on the habitat, I suspected the bee-eater could be around. I was right! 

Several Blue-throated Bee-eater were also spotted just before I reach the spot. To my surprise, there is even a Blue-eared Kingfisher!!! It caught me by surprise. As soon as I had a good look, the bird flew away from the small pond.

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