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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Hello Bill! This is the 2nd time in 1 week at 2 different location. Just lucky enough that it went up high on the tree otherwise I will not be able to get a clear shot of it. Ok. it's a him. Look at the red eye. If Bill is a she, then it will have a white eye. :D

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Seeing a Red Junglefowl is not easy these days. Usually I get to hear them in more natural surrounding and if luckier, a distant view of it. But I was really fortunate to get a junglefowl in the heronry. I was stunned for a while when it crossed the path in front of me. I can only hope it will come closer. My prayer was answered. It did came closer until it finally realized I was in front of him. And so it turned back and went into the bush. Ok...there was a previous case when I spotted it at the coastal with a birding friend. It just perched next to the car.

The following photos were taken from the heronry - Grey Heron, Little Egret, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker and Oriental Magpie Robin.

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The above photo was shot last year in the heronry. The highest number I have counted then was 6 birds. The openbill invasion started early last year when dozens or even hundred were spotted further up north and also in Melaka.

Above photo shows a flock flying in the sky of Melaka. Then, I was revisiting the heronry last week hoping to test the Sigma 500mm f4.5 telephoto lens with the Nikon D7000 on the herons and egrets. To my surprise, the openbill just flew infront of me. Here are 3 shots of the openbill.

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With the recently acquired replacement unit of Nikon D7000, I tried out full manual setting. I have never try shooting birds in action such as the Black-crowned Night Heron diving into the water. It was indeed a good test for the camera.

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Although this is one of the most common birds in our urban areas, it is not necessarily the easiest subject to photograph as it tends to be very shy and quickly went into hiding once they spotted human presence.

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After a long period without photography, I drove towards the mangrove (1 hour from home) and meet up with Jason. We have been trying to go for an outing for a long time and our intention for the day is to nail the Mangrove Pitta. We heard the pitta calling at 2 different spots, unfortunately none show up. We found a pair of Stork-billed Kingfisher perching near the Blue-throated Bee-eater nesting area. The above photo was taken with a Nikon J1 + Nikon 300mm f4 with the help of the red dot spotter.

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I've always enjoy observing the herons actively flying in and out from the heronry. This is one of the best place to observe their behavior - feeding and nesting.

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