The Snowy-browed Flycatcher ( Ficedula hyperythra ) 11 - 13 cm

It's a smallish bird which prefers broadleaved evergreen forest up to 2750 metres above sea level. The whitish eye-brow gave it it's namesake.

Have a nice day! Cheers!

The Chestnut-tailed Minla (Minla strigula) 16 - 18.5 cm

This is a montane bird and thrives in broadleaved evergreen forest up to 3000 meters above sea level. A very unusual looking bird which is equally fast in flight and always on the move when foraging.

TQ for dropping by. Cheers!

The Black-naped Oriole nesting

The Black-napped Orioles are known to build their nests on low tree branches oblivious of human presence. The adults are generally very shy and would 'take-off' at the first sign of human intrusion. However when nesting their courage seemed to increase somewhat, probably out of the need to constantly bring food to the chicks in the nest. From chick to a fledgling takes all but 3 weeks.

Have a nice day! Cheers!

Juvenile Crested Goshawk ( Accipiter trivirgatus ) 40-46 cm

And here are the two juveniles I mentioned in a posting before this one. After sometime they responded to their mother's calls, came out of their hiding place and shared the squirrel the mother had caught between them. It is just a small appetizer for these two juveniles who are the same size as their mother. 

 Cheers!

Meal time for the Crested Goshawk ( Accipiter trivirgatus ) 40-46 cm

I was walking under some tall trees when an unmistakable call came from one of the branches just overhead. Instinctively I gazed up. Nothing. Only the rapid movement of the leaves could be seen, stirred by a strong breeze which has just swept through the area. I continued to search, my eyes moving rapidly from branch to branch. And finally there she was, perched on one of the upper branches. Hey she is holding something with her talons. I reached for my binoculars to get a better look. It was a squirrel! It had become a meal for this nursing raptor. 

Like a dutiful mother she continued to call out to the two juveniles which had fledged just 2 weeks ago to come out of hiding and have some of the meat. Here are a couple of photos for sharing.

 

Have a great day! Cheers!

2011 F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix - Race Day

Race Day at the 2011 F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix had an air of celebrations coupled with a heighten sense of excitement and keen anticipation for the outcome.

Off the grid at 4 pm, local time (+GMT 8 hrs) it was Red Bull Racing with Sebastian Vettel at the wheels who led from start to finish. Goes to show that getting a pole position in an F1 race is all important. Barring mechanical or electronic malfunction 99% of the time the car which lead at the start end up the winner. Enjoy the pix! Cheers!

              A couple of helicopters like this one was used to record the race.

     This modified Mercedes Benz SLK safety car zoomed around the track checking the race track before    each race.

            The Champion - Red Bull Racing

        Shooting past the spectators gallery at 265 Kph

                  Approaching the sharp corners and some 'hard' braking.

                A dual for the lead between Team Lotus, left & Team McLaren Mercedes, right                                         

               McLaren Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton at the wheels roaring past.

               Marussia Virgin Racing co-owned by Virgin Airlines boss Richard Branson.

                Team HRT from Spain, a new comer to F1 Racing. Nice car body decal.

The Large Wood Shrike (Tephrodornis gularis) 18.5-22.5 cm

This specie have a 'Zorro-like' black mask across it's eyes making it unique and interesting bird to watch. A fairly active bird and often seen foraging in groups or together with other species during bird 'waves'. 

Have an eventful weekend! Cheers!

The Red-bearded Bee Eater (Nyctyornis amictus) 32-35 cm

This Bee-Eater is the rarest of the Bee-Eater specie. Often seen alone the Male with it's red beard plumage coupled with piercing eyes possess the looks which some birders say is both 'dignified' and 'scholarly'.  A much sort after bird by bird watchers and bird photographers.

Here are 3 pix.

Have a great weekend! Cheers!

Portraits of the Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) 17 cm

It was a most friendly encounter with a couple of Silver-breasted Broadbills. They came so close that taking 'portrait shots' was a breeze. It is now the nesting season and it's not surprising that these cute birds are found at lower elevation and at times at eye level of just a few feet away!

Hope you like what you see! Cheers!

The Little Heron, Juvenile ( Butorides striatus ) 40 - 48 cm

It flew quite unexpectedly and perched on a small branch just above the river. I was just as surprised, especially when it stayed on the perch and did not immediately take-off when it saw me. I suppose I recovered from the situation faster than it did and was able to take in a couple of close-up shots before it flew swiftly across the river and to the safety. 

Thanks for dropping by. Do feel free to leave your comments. Cheers!

The Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta ) 55 - 65 cm

This lone bird was flying in circles above a stream in a secondary forest as if looking for a suitable place to roost for the night. It was about 6 pm then but the sun was still fairly up in the horizon. It's long nape, back and breast plumes, reddish facial skin, blackish bill, black legs yellowish to redder feet are all characteristics of  an breeding adult.

Have a great day! Cheers!