Reaching Out To Shore Birds: Nikon V1

4th November 2012, Pantai Remis, Jeram and Kuala Selangor , Selangor

Equipment: Nikon V1+FT1 adapter, , Nikkor AFS 400mm f2.8ED VR+TC20EIII When it comes to shore birds I ‘m always wishing for longer reach as far as the camera setup is concerned This time the objective  was to test the newly acquired Nikon V1, a relatively cheap camera (less than half its original price with the new Nikon V2 looming on the horizon)  but packs quite a punch with its 2.7x crop factor. Coupled  with my current 400mm lens and 2X teleconverter (via the FT1 adapter) I would be shooting with an effective focal length of 2160mm  and complete with autofocus!. My only concern about this  little camera is the small sensor and how much detail it would be able to capture. The day started at Pantai Remis……. A Little Heron and Whiskered Terns basking  in the early morning sun Time to get rid of the itch As the sun rose higher the  temperature and humidity soared, things began to get a little uncomfortable, A Collared Kingfisher getting some respite from the blazing  hot sun. A lone Little Egret amongst a group of Common Redshanks and Terek Sandpipers   Curlew sandpipers A few Red-necked stints were busy on the mud flat A Little heron catching small fish in the pools of water left by the receeding tide We drove to Kuala Selangor with the hope of finding some  migrant Kingfishers to photograph. We were greeted by the sight of a  hunting Grey Heron. At last, a  migrant Kingfisher! A Black-capped Kingfisher would select a  hidden perch and would disappear into the thicker mangrove upon the slightest movement that you make. Hiding behind some very tall grass I was able to get quite close to this extremely shy Kingfisher We drove to Jeram  on our last leg of the trip. We found a pair of Common Kingfishers taking a rest after its hunting spree. Equipment: Nikon D7000, , Nikkor AFS 400mm f2.8ED VR+TC20EIII Looks like a young Kingfisher judging by the  pale orange underpart   A Lesser Adjutant taking its afternoon constitutional along the waters edge. Equipment: Nikon V1+FT1 adapter, , Nikkor AFS 400mm f2.8ED VR+TC20EIII This trip turned out better than expected in terms of bird species and I was more than happy with the results from the Nikon V1, not bad for a camera with a tiny sensor. After all the driving and staying out in the hot sun……………..it was time for a TOP-UP of  CHOLESTEROL and lots of  cold coconut drink ! My 3 brothers. Left: Rosly Hassan, middle: Rosdeen Hassan, right: Rosman Hassan (arm only)

Common Redshanks

27th November 2011, Pantai Remis, Selangor

These pictures were taken on two separate ocassions. Pictures #1-4 were taken  late afternoon when the tide was coming in . The mudflat they were on disappeared beneath the water about 20 minutes later after these  pictures were taken and the birds flew to a nearby commercial fish pond to roost. Most of the birds look like juveniles judging by the yellow stockings they’re wearing     The photos below were taken in the  morning , sun shining brightly. The birds were feeding at quite a distance from the  beach.           This one looks like a more mature bird.   Notes: First set of photos taken with a Nikkor 300mm f2.8 + TC1.7 II           The 2nd set taken with a  Nikkor 400mm f2.8 + TC2.0III.  Camera body : Nikon D7000

Early Waders in Sabak

11th September 2011, Kg Tok Lukot, Sabak, Kelantan

I wasn’t able to go back to my hometown during  the Hari Raya break. Made a trip back to see my parents and in-laws in Kota Bharu  last weekend. A  few hours late Sunday afternoon was spent in Sabak to photograph early migrants in the area. Shooting in Sabak  always leaves me wishing how I had more reach with my gear, 300mm is a severe handicap  when it comes to waterbirds. Overall it was good day  with some of the  birds coming in quite close to my position  in the middle of the swamp area.     A few  Greater Sand Plovers were scattered over the area. (correction: juvenile Lesser Sand PLovers)                     A few Terek Sandpipers One of a few  Common Sandpipers in the area. A colony of  6 Oriental Pranticoles A few Common Redshanks   Black-winged Stilts     My lifer- a White Wagtail.   Unsure- looks like a Whimbrel (ID: Greater Painted Snipe) Plenty of House Swallows (correction: Barn Swallows, I should have got this one correctly identified the first time!)           A White-browed Crake picking up courage to leave the  safety of the reeds