A day to remember.

25/1/2011. Its a cloudy day. Perfect for another birding trip with my two buddies  SH Chai and CK Jack. As planned a day earlier, we set off the trip to Seberang Perak for our birding trip. Seberang Perak as I say in my earlier entry, there is plenty of egrets, heron, eagles and other smaller size birds. But why it is a day to remember?

About 5 months ago when I go to Seberang Perak with SH Chai, I snapped a Brahminy Kite ( Haliastur indus) or in Malay, we called it Lang Merah flying with a mouse as prey at its feet. However the kite was too far and the photo is totally useless. With disappointment in myself, I set a goal that I will someday no matter how long it takes, I will snap it clear and large.

Finally the patience pays. As we heading home after snapping various of birds, we come to a T junction. SH Chai asked me whether I'm in hurry to go home or not. I replied "Nope" . If we turn right, that is the way out from the paddy fields. SH Chai must have instinct in his heart. He turned left.

Along the road there is many long grass and beautiful scenery. It was so relaxing. Suddenly, CK Jack shouted stop. He said he saw something hiding at the tree. I was thinking that it must be an eagle. So I pointed out my camera and have a look. Oh! it was a Brahminy Kite eating something. SH Chai suggest that we must go down and get some shots.

Guess what, my dream come true. It was a Brahminy Kite with its prey, a mouse. The kite is enjoying its meal. When it saw us, it flew out with its meal. Look what I've got.......

It was a fantastic day. I can't even believed it myself. These were the shots that I'm totally happy with. Totally satisfied.

These guys are wonderful, SH Chai (right) CK Jack (left). It was a great teamwork. We snapped photos that seldom we will see. One can easily get Brahminy Kite photo picking up food (chicken fat/ intestine) from waters in Langkawi. But not a mouse under its feet.

Below is some other photos that I snapped that day. Hope you enjoy it. Thank you for viewing.

What bird is this? Koel or Coucal?

Few days ago, I went to Teluk Intan Riverfront for usual birding practice. My friend CK came along with me. As usual, we will sit on the bench for a while, while waitting for and interesting birds come. Just for few minutes, I saw a few long tailed parakeet flying around. Then they hang around the tree. I managed to snap a few shot of it.

 

That day is a quite an exciting day. I snap a bird that until now no one can determine what species is it. Some say koel, and some say coucal. I have ask many people who loves birds, they also can't give me the right answer. Hopefully I'll get the answer soon. Below is the photo.

4th Jan. 2010 Seberang Perak trip with SH Chai & CK' Jack.

It was a great outing with my 2 best friends. I shot 8 types of bird including 2 new bird that I have not snap before from Seberang Perak. We start our journey at 9am and reach there about 9.30am. Discussing birding photography and jokes fills the atmosphere for the short trip there.

The first bird we snap that day is purple heron. As I say before, purple heron is very sensitive. Once we saw it, we won't miss the chance to get a good shot at it. 

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

As we go further, I snap a kingfisher standing at the water lock.

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Driving around the paddy fields, there is many bee-eaters and swallow flying around.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

As I snapping the barn swallow, I saw a snake swim by.

Here is my 2 buddies SH Chai and Ck' Jack. Thank you guys.

 SH Chai

CK' Jack

There is many Little Egret and Eastern Cattle Egret at Seberang Perak. So to us, it is just a common bird there. But snapping them in actions will be nice.

 There is a type of bird that we seldom see at Seberang Perak. And that day we was so lucky. There is so many of them there. It is Little Tern (Sternula albifrons). Here is some photos that I've taken that there.

Near 12pm, we take the last round and heading out from the paddy field and caught by surprise, we saw a White-breasted Waterhen. I saw it twice before but it was so fast and I didn't get the chance to snap it at all. This time, I was really lucky.

White-breasted Waterhen

( Amaurornis phoenicurus)

The last photo I take from this outing is Grey-faced Buzzard. And it concludes the great day with my 2 best friends.

Grey-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus)

Spotted: Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

3rd Jan. 2011 9am, Just a day I spotted the crested serpent-eagle, I came across with the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). I still remember, my early birding activity. I snap this hornbill at Teluk Intan Riverfront before and that was few months ago. That time I just use the Tamron 70-300mm and the quality wasn't good enough. However at that time I was delighted because it was the first time I snap a hornbill.

This time I was surprise to find it flying around housing area. I was on my way to breakfast after sending my son, Edward to school. This time my instinct works again. I carry all my camera and lens to breakfast even I did not plan to shoot anything that morning.

I was delighted the second time.There is 5-6 hornbill flying around. I manage to snap few shot. This time I understand the reason why my uncle Peter enjoy bird watching rather than snapping their photo. I keep laughing alone the way the hornbill fly. They are so clumsy and even fights among themselves. It was a great experience.

As I follows to the place the hornbill flew to, I came across with the crested serpent-eagle again. My oh my what a perfect morning.

I do not know when I'll see the hornbill again. But I hope soon. Thank you for viewing. 

Spotted: Crested Serpent-eagle (Spilornis cheela)

2nd January, 2010. 6pm: As I going back to restaurant after deliver dinner for my wife, I saw a crested serpent eagle standing at an electrical pillar. For me, when I saw a big birds, its like found a big chunk of money. Haha.

At the kitchen, I told my dad what I saw just now. My dad ask me whether I manage to snap it or not. I say I wasn't driving my car. My camera is in my car. Then my dad replied, 'Go now, hopefully its still there.' So I grasp my car keys and head to the spot again.

I was so lucky that the eagle still standing there. I took a few shot of its actions and waited it to fly. Near 6.30pm, it still stand there not moving at all. Maybe it is waiting for food. It's getting late. I'm not waiting for it to fly off. Previously I snap it flying before at Seberang Perak (will share with you next time).

Super good luck today. Normally I won't carry my camera bag around. Today something telling me that I must carry my camera bag. Guess that my instinct is correct.