Can’t Stop: Rufescent Prinia

27th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

A tiny Rufescent Prinia looking busy. It’s the first time that I see this bird in Kemensah.

Nesting: Black & Yellow Broadbill

27th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor Saw a pair of Black & Yellow Broadbills, one was resting and the other was finishing off his lunch. I hadn’t realize that the pair were having a break from nest building. Stumbled upon their half completed nest  and stayed there for about an hour to observe the birds bringing in materials. They had chosen a location directly above a  stream,  a similar behavior to the Black & Red Broadbills. It was fascinating to see both partners actively participating  in the building process.

The male   The birds alternately ferry in dry leaves, small twigs and roots  approximately every 5 minutes. At one point the male bird dived into the nest and started pushing out from inside.

A moth in the mouth to replenish the much needed energy.   The female bringing  a leaf

Grey-Headed Canary-Flycatcher

27th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

A Grey-Headed Canary- Flycatcher ( Culicicapa ceylonensis ) singing away, filling the edge of the forest with her sound. A Lifer

Loo Wow: Straw-Headed Bulbul

27th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor Standing right in front of  a public toilet with a  long-lens camera is not my idea of fun. While it drew some questions as to what I was doing,  it also invited a few wry smiles and uneasy stares from visitors to the commercial fishing pond! Well, It’s the price I had to pay for this  long awaited lifer Bulbul. The Straw-Headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) local name : Burung Barau-barau is a giant of a bulbul  (29cm) and will dwarf most other bulbuls in this region.

I was excited to learn that she had been sighted in Kemensah and was very eager and hopeful of bringing home some decent photos. Got my gear ready at the tree where she was last seen. After waiting for about 20 minutes she finally appeared , going after the ripe fruits which seemed to attract lots of other bulbuls.        The loo-side surveillance was worth it!

Red Eyed Bulbul

27th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

Red-Eyed Bulbuls are common in Kemensah. Funny how the eyes on this bulbul aren’t  exactly red as the name suggests.

Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

Came across a male Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha on the way out from the  forest.

Hairy-Backed Bulbuls

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

A couple of Hairy-Backed Bulbuls joined in the feast

Trendy: Spectacled Bulbul

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

I’m not sure whether she has 20/20 vision but looks like she’s wearing glasses. This Spectacled Bulbul  (Pycnonotus erythropthalmos) was also  attracted to the fruits of the macaranga tree.

Grey-Bellied Bulbul

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor. The weather was hot and I was too lazy to walk but fortunately bird  activity was still good. One fruiting Macaranga tree attracted  lots of bulbuls, this Grey-Bellied (Pycnonotus cyaniventris) being one of them. Haven’t seen them for almost a year.

Green-Backed Flycatcher

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

After getting the Ferruginous  Flycatcher this is another lifer Flycatcher from Kemensah, a female  Green-Backed (Ficedula elisae). She wears the colours resembling that of the Canaries.

Ferruginous Flycatcher

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor A Ferruginous Flycatcher  warming herself up while waiting for opportunities to snatch insects in mid-air. Lifer

Male Purple-Naped Sunbird

13th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

This is the first time that I was able to capture  a  male Purple–Naped Sunbird   with the purple colouration actually visible!   When he gets excited he raises the feathers above the nape exposing more of the brilliant purple feathers.

Grey Wagtail

7th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

A female Grey Wagtail local name : Pipit Batu, making her way along the marshy area next to the fish pond. Usually Wagtails are very wary around human but this bird wasn’t too bothered. Probably she’s used to the presence of the pond caretakers . ( Photos taken behind their house)

Little But Large: Rufous Piculet

7th March 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

London, New York , Tokyo. No, It was Ipoh, Seremban , Kemensah in 36 hours! Ipoh to conduct a project  briefing, Seremban for an overnight family function and  whatever daylight left  late Sunday afternoon in Kemensah. It was this little bird  who made my day, A  tiny Rufous Piculet, she flew onto this open  branch for about 3 seconds and came so close that these were almost full frame shots. Saw a Piculet last week but it wasn’t this close.

Spot the Dove

26th February 2010, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

I know it’s a Spotted Dove but where are the spots? Maybe a juvenile

Olive-Backed Sunbird

26th February 2010, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Olive-Backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) busy with its early morning routine. Was ill-prepared for birding since the main reason for the trip was a wedding. These were shot handheld with the 300mm non VR lens & TC, turned out OK.

Sorry I Forgot: Eurasian Tree Sparrows

26th February 2010, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Went  back to my parent’s house in Kota Bharu  for a wedding. Shot some birds around the house. I realized then that I haven’t  really shot photos of the Eurasian Tree Sparrows due to the fact that they  are so  common. Anyway, here they are. I  wasn’t  expecting them to throw in a surprise.

The timber gazebo is where they usually congregate.

Dendrelaphis haasi: It’s A Snake

28th February 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

A non-venomous  Haas's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis haasi ) local name Ular lidi, slithering  along the bamboo looking for potential prey. A relatively new species often confused with the Common Bronzeback ( ref: Amphibians & Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia) .

I try not to be too clever  as far as snakes are concerned. My motto:    Jump First,  Pictures Later!