The Nephila antipodiana spider

Whilst out on birding trips I have a habit of shooting other interesting subjects I come across. It has a leg span of up to 6 inches and body length up to 1.5 inches. This is one of the largest orb-weavers in the world.  

This large spider intrigued me for it's patience. It remained on the same spot of it's large web the whole day long! Perhaps that's something we could learn in dealing with our everyday live. Patience is a virtue we advise of our family and friends and yet it's one we struggle to imbue in ourselves. :-) 

Enjoy the photos.

 

Have a great day! Cheers!

Portraits of the Ochraceous Bul Bul (alophoixus ochraceus ) 19-22cm

Thank you for dropping by. Cheers!

The White-rumped Shama (Copsychus saularis) 21.5 - 28 cm

This specie is well liked for it's very melodious and varied calls which punctuates the quiet forest or rise above the sounds of insects, mammals and calls of other bird species. The sad part is many of them have been trapped and sold to erstwhile 'bird lovers' who believed it's 'lucky' to own one or just love their homes to be 'filled' with this bird's frequent calls. 

 Have a nice day!

The Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos ) 48 - 59 cm

The Large-billed Crow are sub-montane to montane birds as opposed to it's distant cousin the lowland crow. It does not have the huge numbers that we see of the lowland crows. Another difference between the two is that the large-billed is not a scavenger. It hunts for it's food which consists of insects, lizards, frogs and other reptiles and small mammals.

It's habitat are open forest, woodland, mangrove. Could be found in forest habitat of up to 3600 meters above sea level.  

Cheers!

Mugimaki Flycatcher ( Ficedula mugimaki ) 13 - 13.5 cm

The Mugimaki Flycatcher is a winter migrant from the northern hemisphere. It makes it's way to the warmer climate in the south around late Nov and early Dec each year. At sometime around Mar/Apr the following year it will return to it's homeland. This trans-migration routine has been repeated year after year.


The habitat are broadleaved evergreen and pine forests mainly 800 meters above sea level.

   ID not yet distinctive. Could be First Winter Juvenile Male or Female


Have a great day! Cheers!

The Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina) 20.5 - 23.5 cm

Winter migrants are making their way to warmer climate and many birds from the northern hemisphere have arrived in various part of Malaysia. One notable migrant is the Orange-headed Thrush (OHT).

The natural habitat are broadleaved evergreen forests and thickets up to 1500 meters above sea level.

Pictures below are that of the male and female OHT.   

   OHT (Female)

OHT (Male)


Have a nice day!

A pair of Lovey-Dovey Black-crested Bul Bul (Pycnonotus melanicterus ) 18.5 - 19.5 cm

When taking photographs of avian life forms it is quite common that we get just one bird at a time in the viewfinder. It becomes a great treat or bonus if you like when an occasion presents itself for us to capture 2 or more birds in a single frame. This opportunity presented itself when a pair of Black-crested Bul Bul was sighted cuddling together, supposedly to keep warm. The temperature that day was between 14-16 C, at times with powerful cross winds. 

The habitat of this specie are broadleaved forest of up to 2600+ meters above sea level.

Here are a few photos for sharing.

 

Hope you like what you see. Cheers!

The Buffy Fish Owl (Ketupa Ketupu) 45.5 - 47 cm

After some hours searching news came that 2 owls are within sight and provided photo opportunity. Upon arrival at the location only one owl remained on the perch on a tree branch by the bank of a pond.

Night birding takes a different dimension and excitement to a birder. The pitch dark  atmosphere of the hunt provides a high level of enhanced anticipation. The torch light should be used sparingly and with discretion not to 'cause stress' to the bird or mammal. The same is applicable to the camera's flash. 

Here are 2 photos for sharing.

Cheers!

Squirrels, squirrels, squirrels!

During my birding trips I came across various non bird life forms sharing the same habitat in harmony. One such mammal is the squirrel. Squirrels adapt very well to the environment and in fact thrives in them, hence it is not surprising to see many species and in great numbers in many forests. I would like to share some species I have encountered here.

   Cream Colored Giant Squirrel (Ratufa affinis)

    Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mclellandi)

      Black Giant Squirrel ( Ratufa bicolor )

     Anyone know the ID of this one?

    Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus)

   Anyone know the ID of this one?

    Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus)

Thanks for dropping by! Cheers!

The Blyth's Hawk Eagle ( Spizaetus alboniger ) 51 - 58 cm

I will never get 'tired' of photographing this great Eagle. Whether it's in-flight or perched on a tree, it exudes that majestic profile that one could only admire in awe. There is a certain assertiveness in it's looks. Perhaps the 'stern look' has something to do with it. 

It's habitat are in broadleaved evergreen forests up to almost 2000 meters above sea level.    

Some photos to share.

Have a great day! Cheers!

The Red-throated Barbet ( Megalaima mystacophanos ) 23 cm

The distinctive features if this bird are it's yellow forehead, red crown, red throat and blue cheeks. Preferred habitat are broadleaved evergreen forests up to 760 meters above sea level.  

Cheers!

The Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea ) 19 cm

Often found as a solitary bird along mountain roads, open forests and near flowing streams upto 2500n meters above sea level. a very shy bird that is likely to fly off when approached.

Thanks for viewing. Cheers!

The Black-browed Barbet (Megalaima oiorti) 21.5 - 23.5 cm

Like all the other types in the Barbet family ( except the Brown Barbet ) the Black-browed Barbet have a nice mix blue, red and yellow colors for it's plumage, especially on it's head and neck. It's preferred habitat are broadleaved evergreen forest between 600 - 1450 meters above sea level.

Here are some photos:

Have a nice day! Cheers!

The Black Laughing Thrush (Garrulax lugubris) 25.5 - 27 cm

It was amongst other birds in a bird wave. There was about 4 - 5 birds foraging in the early morning. The preference of this specie is to keep within heavily leaved foliage, hence it's difficult to photograph them. I was in luck when this one appeared for a short time just outside the thick foliage. This is the only photo I was able to get and share.

Prefer habitat of broadleaved evergreen forest from 800 - 1500 meters above sea level.

Thanks for dropping by.

The Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa griseisticta) 15 cm

One of the smallest bird and well liked by most birder watchers and photographers, due in part to it's cute and affable looking features. One of this bird's favorite feeding 'style' is to select a perch on a solitary branch in an open area or a bare branch in a tree. From this perch it would have a clear view of the surroundings and make frequent 'sorties' to catch flying insects. It could base itself on such a perch for hours.     

Frequently found in open forest, parks, gardens and mangrove up to 1580 meters above sea level.

Some photos, taken with it's favorite perch below.

Cheers!

The Ashy Bul Bul (Hemixos flavala) 20.5 - 21 cm

It thrives in a sub-montane habitat of up to 2100 meters above sea level. often seen in flocks of between 4 to over 10 birds the favorite food source are wild berries and seeds. 

Here are some phots for sharing.

Have a nice day!