House Swallows

21st September 2013, Kemensah , Selangor

Species: House Swallows (Pacific Swallows) Local Name: Layang-layang Pasifik Scientific Name: Hirundo tahitica Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor 400 f2.8 AFS-VR Totally unexpected! I was concentrating on the perching Swallow when another bird flew into frame and started to hover. Shooting at 15 frames per sec has its advantages when you’re suddenly faced with this kind of situation.

Red-Rumped Swallows

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga , Melaka

Species: Red-rumped Swallows Local Name: Scientific Name: Cecropis daurica Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC20EIII It was  windy  with intermitent drizzle throughout the day and these Striated Swallows were ‘sunning’ themselves on the dirt road, trying to get away from the blustery condition. An adult with dark plumage and  long tail-streamers As usually the case in the animal world the juvenile has lighter or dull colours.

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

Barn House: It’s Not Real Estate

24th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

Sorry, I’m not selling a Barn house,  they’re Swallows. House Swallows and Barn Swallows (lifer)  were using the same small dried up tree to rest and preen. Barn Swallows have forked tails and streamers and are more bluish than  House Swallows which is almost black. Try and  spot which is which.

Easy to Swallow

5 July 2009, Kuala Selangor, A Pacific Swallow at the Kuala Selangor Nature Park

Resting on a driftwood with dried up barnacles near the shoreline.