RED AVADAVAT

Red Avadavat - Female amandava amandava

A morning that was rewarded with the appearance of this odd but highly celebrated bird since its arrival 2 months ago. It was believe to be introduce or escapee bird in the early days (yet to be determine).
A lifer for all who have never seen it in Borneo-Sabah. Hope they will stay and multiply.

A moulting male

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Shrike and Thrush and others

Mugimaki Flycather - Female

Yesterday did some birding with Karim@sinooorita at Kundasang area. Went looking for the Long-tailed Shrike and upon arriving at the designated area, we spotted two birds flying in a distance but alas we could not get closer at this was on a private land.

We have to be contented and try our best for a good picture even for an ID shot.

Luckily for us, the birds seem to notice our despair and eventually came closer and closer and got some decent shots. And as time flies by, we decided to check out for the Everett Thrush at Masilau Park (which is an extension of Mt Kinabalu) and it only took us 20 minutes to reach it from Kundasang. We did not get the Everett's Thrush but here are few pictures for your enjoyment.

White-browed Shortwing - Female

She came out from one of the parking lot and darting from one place to another trying to avoid us. Eventually I got some decent picture of her but still can be better....

Eyed-browed Thrush - Turdus obscurus

This was a nice find but would not cooperate. It was so shy that it did not came out the whole day. I could see it through the Bins but it was just that.

Long-tailed Shrike - anius schach tricolor

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ShortWings Part 2

Female White-browed Shortwing - Brachypteryx montana cruralis

Continuation of this chapter, White-browed Shortwing also known Blue Shortwing, Himalayan

Blue Shortwing or Indigo-blue Shortwing. My last attempt to take picture of this bird was quite a feat. Its a very active bird that does not stop for any picture taking. However the male was not around nevertheless I am very happy with this.

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My Garden Birds 2

A young Brown-throated Sunbird - anthreptes malacensis malacensis

It was a lucky day when this Brown-throated Sunbird was friendly enough for me to take a decent pictures.
I never actually got this close until yesterday. My best attempt of this species was actually a Temmink's Sunbirds and were really elated with my own work and this time Brown-throated is the second photography that I am happy to share with. This time I used the D300 attach to Kowa TSN603 and was experimenting with ISO and got some interesting result. But still have not come up with the best combinations. If there anyone out there has the same setup, please come forward and share your techniques.

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My Garden Birds

I wanted to practice more with my picture taking especially when you are digiscoping with D300 and the only way was putting some bait and it worked.

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This two were quite obliging.

Scaly Breasted Bulbul - Pycnonotus squamatus webberi

Finally got my latest bulbul picture. I have been waiting for this moment.

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A day under the Sun - Dicaeum monticolum - Male

Borneon Flowerpecker - endemic to Mt Kinabalu.

Took this with D300 attach with Kowa TSN603.

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Hide and Seek

Had a nice day yesterday with Karim aka sinooorita and this Chestnut Hooded Laughing Thrush was playing hide and seek. It was challenge trying to photograph it with Kowa TSN 603, adapter FSL for Nikon and D300. Manual focusing and adjusting the AV + and - was really a feat. Anyway I was really happy with this experiment.

Happy Birding.

Baya Weaver - scope with Kowa TSN603 with D300

Baya Weaver - Ploceus philippinus philippinus

It been a slow month for me in terms of birding so decided to check out my hometown, Sandakan (famous for its Orang Utan Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sukau, Gomantong and Turtle island) but it turn out the weather was not that great. There were some occasional rain showers that I thought would not affect my birding but no luck. It started to rain from 10 am and only stop at 2pm and this was at RDC. Had to abandon RDC and called my brother Neil if there is any place that worthwhile checking out. And he mentioned this Baya Weaver nesting around his housing estate area but not sure if it is still around. Well luck was still smiling for me and took this shoot (not to brag about) and I had only like 5 second window. It was standing there about 50 meters away but could not get near it because of the thick vegetation. My last sighting was in 2009 and missed it last year.

Hoping to go back again maybe next month....

Happy birding

Swift

Swift sps..Collocalia esculenta affinis

I was never good in identifying swift when they are airborne or even clinging on the walls just like this one.
Took this at Kinabalu Park office area and wanted to take more pictures but the rain started to come down and it rain the whole day.

At last, I was advise to ask Mr Alim Buin (birder) and a senior park ranger from Kinabalu Park and he confirmed that most of the swift that is flying around the park office are

Glossy Swiflet Collocalia esculenta affinis. Thank you to those who help me to identify.

Happy Birding