Himalayan Striped Squirrel

28 June 2009, Old Pump House Road, Gohtong Jaya

This quick moving Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops macclellandi) came so close and stopped to feed in front of us. Talk about luck! After finishing her succulent meal, she was gone in a jiffy.

Orange-Bellied Leafbird

28 June 2009, Old Pump House Road, Gohtong Jaya

Posted a photo of this bird after the previous trip to the Old Pump House Road. These are better photos of the Orange –Bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii).

My First Hornbill- It’s Great!

28 June 2009, Old Pump House Road, Gohtong Jaya

They probably could hear us on Genting Highland! There was a lot to cheer about for the four of us, myself, two elder brothers and my son Ilyas. This was the first Hornbill for all of us. It was raining since early morning in Taman Melawati but we still took a chance to go. When we arrived it was still raining! Decided to start walking up at about 9.00am, still drizzling. Was hit by a minor bird wave in front of the entrance gate. Continued up the slope for about 500m when we heard the familiar sound of a Hornbill. All hands on deck and eyes scanning the area, we finally saw him, on a huge tree about 100m from where we were. No way to get closer, severely limited by a 400mm lens and still misty, these are highly cropped photos of my lifer, a male Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis).

I gave myself a small birding license after getting my first Broadbill. So after almost 2 yrs of serious birding this Hornbill is the license I was really waiting for!

Mountain Fulvetta

28 June 2009, Old Pump House Road, Gohtong Jaya,

Lifer: Found this Mountain Fulvetta (Alcippe peracensis) in the middle of a bamboo clump. Tough to nail a clean shot because of the branches, just enough for an ID.

Feeding White-Headed Munias

27 June 2009, Kemensah, Selangor

Still managed to squeeze in about one hour of birding after all the house chores and queueing for the Record Book at my youngest son’s primary school. Eventhough it was a short trip the results were more than satisfying.

Observed a flock of White-Headed Munias (Longchura maja) consisting of 3 adults and 3 juveniles flying around in search of a good place to feed. A strange thing happened when the 3 juveniles started chasing one of the adult birds onto a Durian tree asking to be fed. Judging by their size I would have thought that the juveniles were able to feed for themselves. Just before I left I actually saw the 3 juveniles pecking the grass seeds and feeding on their own (photo  bottom left). Anak-anak manja!

Two Spiderhunters , Little & Large

21 June 2009, Kemensah, Selangor Took this photo of a Spiderhunter resting on a branch. Didn’t bother to confirm the ID thinking that it was a Spectacled Spiderhunter which I normally see in Kemensah. Upon further review, I’m almost certain that it’s a Little Spiderhunter (in which case , a lifer).

1. A Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra). Looks like she’s carrying an injury to the right shoulder but she seemed alright when she flew off after this shot was taken.

2. A rather robust looking Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster) photographed in March 2009. Quite a large bird, probably the largest among the Spiderhunters.

On a more technical note, the Little Spiderhunter was shot using the Nikon D90 whereas the Spectacled Spiderhunter on the D80 using the same lens. The difference in clarity and noise level are very distinct. I think it was well worth the money spent on upgrading to the D90.

Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo of Bukit Rengit

20 June 2009, Bukit Rengit, Pahang

This Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus platurus: local name  Cecawi Hamba Kera) was making several fly-bys and kept coming to the same tree.

Black-Headed Bulbul of Kemensah

21 June 2009, Kemensah, Selangor

Escaping the heat. The striking yellow colour of a fully grown adult. Photo taken on a seperate occasion.	This Black-Headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps: local name merbah kepala hitam / burung siam) had just caught a flying insect in mid air. She's not a fully grown adult judging by the colours of the head (dull greenish) and body (dull yellow).

Tiger Shrike of Kemensah

Kemensah, Selangor These photos were taken on 7th March 2009 after an early morning downpour. They are the clearest photos of the Tiger Shrike (Lanius tigrinus , local name: Tirjup Rimau ) that I have. One thing I can’t figure out is how come there’s a V at the end of the tail.

The Story of the Dusky Leaf Monkeys and the Bear

21 June 2009, Kemensah, Selangor. There was a group of Dusky Leaf Monkeys/ Dusky Langurs (Trachypithecus obscurus) on their morning rollout. They came across a lone figure wandering in the jungle, and he was pointing an object at them. They paused for a moment as curiosity took the better of them.

1. And this question went through this monkey’s mind? “ Why is this overgrown monkey looking at me? He’s got something around the eyes like me, hair on the face like me. Hang on! No tail, oh no he’s not a monkey! He’s a bear: run for your lives!”

2. Then the big scramble began. One mother had a baby clinging to her abdomen and in trying to get to safety she actually jumped more than 30 ft onto another tree, with the baby hanging on. 3. Leaping to safety 4. All the monkeys got away from the bear safely and they will live happily ever after. And the bear continued on with his camera.

Ruby-Cheeked Sunbirds

21 June 2009, Kemensah, Selangor

	A pair of Ruby-Cheeked Sunbirds (Chalcoparia singalensis) were looking for caterpillars among the bamboo leaves. They actually shared this catch.
The male Ruby-Cheeked	The female

Blue-Crowned Hanging-Parrot

20 June 2009, Bukit Rengit, Pahang

Other than the sighting of a few hornbills in flight( no photos), a few Broadbills and woodpecker, it was rather quiet at Bukit Rengit. This female Blue–Crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus) gave us something to cheer about and end the day on a high note. A lifer

Holy Water- you dont get this just anywhere!

20 June 2009, Bukit Rengit, Pahang.

Saw this male Banded Woodpecker (Chrysophlegma mineaceus) inspecting a hole in a tree. I thought maybe I’ll get lucky and get some shots of this bird in front of the nesting hole. Upon further observation, the hole looked kind of strange because it was facing upwards! He was in fact inspecting a heart-shaped jacuzzi- the hole was full of water that had collected and he didn’t waste anytime stepping in.

1. Aaaaaaahhhh, Nothing like a nice cool bath on a hot day

2. Lal lalal lalaaaaa 4. A good shake.

3. Grrrrr 5. And we’re done

Jeram Besu, Down Memory Lane.

8 June 2009, Jeram Besu, Pahang.

It’s been a long time since I stop by at Jeram Besu (Besu rapids). The last time was when my wife was carrying our first child back in 1991. She was going though a pretty tough time. So during the recent return trip from Kota Bharu I managed to show my eldest daughter (now 17) the spot where mom threw ... Here’s the place.

X marks the spot. Nostalgia!

Now I know why they call her ‘Crazy’.

6th June 2009, Kota Bharu, Kelantan ( behind my parent’s house)

She makes you want to pull your hair out! In malay they call her Murai Gila (Gila means crazy), not in any way related to the Gila Monster.( No, not that kind of monster: they only have that monster problem in Japan). Nearly went bonkers trying to get this bird in the viewfinder let alone in focus. She just couldn’t sit still for one second. Managed to get these exclusive shots of this Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica) before going nnnnnnnnuts! May not be the best looking bird around but I’m still crazy for you (Hmmm.. sounds familiar).

It was probably over 40 degrees C when we were in Kelantan, those tail would have surely helped! Sorry I must be losing my mind.

White-Browed Crake of Kampung Sabak

7 June 2009, Kampung Sabak, Kelantan

	To me all Wak-Wak (local name) should look like a waterhen. So when I saw this Wak-Wak it looked kind of strange. I hadn’t realised that there were so many types of marsh birds. Now I know that this is a Crake, a White-Browed Crake (porzana cinerea) to be exact. They are so difficult to spot in the grassy area. A Lifer.
Difficult to tell whether they are male or female.

In the natural habitat. Master of Hide & Seek.