This is a joint trip with 2 different guests (Thomas was one of the 2 guests) but only for the first day. The subsequent days, I was guiding 1 guest. Anyway, the trip was fantastic and rewarding for the guests and myself! We started the day very early in the morning (it was still dark in Lanchang), and one of our targets was hit but no chance to get good photo as the bird was not at a preferred perch.
Black Hornbill (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
When we entered the forest, light was considered poor, but the Rufous-collared Kingfisher greeted us as soon as we setup our gears. Ok....lighting was not ideal for my hand held equipment. Here is a photo to convince you how bad the lighting was then.
Rufous-collared Kingfisher (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Black-capped Babbler (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Yellow-bellied Bulbul (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Several other species came later but we also spent our half day outing in the open area. Our highlights for Lanchang include Black-throated Babbler, Black-capped Babbler, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, White-rumped Shama, Hooded Pitta, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Lesser Green Learbird, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Blue-eared Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Sooty Barbet, and more. Next we drove back to KL for our next target and we nailed both Blue-eared Kingfisher (a lifer for Thomas. both of us have tried a few times looking for it prior to this sighting) and Stork-billed Kingfisher.
On Day 2, we went to get the next kingfisher, a Rufous-backed Kingfisher. We were there waiting at the location with several other photographers in the morning. Waited for the bird to land on the ideal spot for almost 2 hours before it eventually came close and show itself well for a few good minutes, which is more than enough for everyone. In the later part of the day, we had Hooded Pitta. It was not easy at the first stakeout, so we retreated to a second stakeout - almost instantly the Pitta performed right in front of us! Without wasting time, we drove to our next location which is few hours away. Here we had Blue Rock Thrush, Bllue Whistling Thrush, Java Sparrow and Plaintive Cuckoo.
Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Hooded Pitta (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Java Sparrow (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Blue Rock Thrush (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Blue Whistling Thrush (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Buffy Fish Owl (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Greater Flameback (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Plaintive Cuckoo (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Emerald Dove (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Malaysian Partridge (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Long-tailed Broadbill (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Mugimaki Flycatcher (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Red-headed Trogon (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Silver-eared Mesia (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
Streaked Spiderhunter (Nikon V1 + Nikkor CX 70-300mm VR)
