The Blogging Marathon: Nick of Time

He made it just in the nick of time...

Sepilok Sandakan proved to be a tough proposition that time around. Record shots were great at personal standard. Competition? A total disappointment.

Back in Tuaran and an extra day on hand...I went to Kinabalu National Park..alone...

Half a day without anything...luck came when I needed it most. I had plenty of opportunities that afternoon. The most memorable ones were the moments a male Pied-flycather having a splash.

Soon after reaching home, I looked for the showering Pied-flycatcher. I knew it was my best action shot for the competition. Needless to say, after minor tweaking I emailed it to Alphon for submission.

I've got 2nd place at the bird festival's competition. Thanks to the unimaginable effort of Alphonsus. I lost words after knowing what he had to go through before he could submit my photos.

I learned it from Alven who was at Alphon's that it was not until 4.00AM he successfully downloaded my 2 files. Spending hours and hours trying to download files when the connection kept breaking??

If only I knew what he was going through, I could have asked him to forget about it...It was not that important...

Worse still, he had to submit the files before 8.00AM. He made it just in the nick of time...and I owe him BIG TIME for what he had done. Alphonsus, If you are reading this, you are truly one of a kind and I thank you for being who you are...my best buddy:-

The Blogging Marathon: The Final Day In Sepilok

Time was almost up...deadline was approaching fast.

Already on my last day in Sepilok, but yet there was not a single interesting photo to submit for the competition. I had photographed the Copper-throated Sunbird, Bornean Bristlehead, Diard’s Trogon...to name a few of the big names in the birding world.

Considering the amount of time I had spent there, it was a remarkable achievement. However, for I was a man on a mission, I found them quite unsatisfactory at all. All I needed was that one shot with the big difference. Unfortunately, easier said than done...

Alphonsus could not join me on my hunt as he was on duty that day. I knew he was itching inside. I went straight to the trail as we arrived, while Alphon reluctantly walked to the front desk to sign in.

Knowing very well that it is almost impossible to get an action shot of Trogons, I went look for them anyway. The encounter with the Scarlet-rumped Trogon on the previous day gave me something to bet on... medium sized...they’re perfect.

I have captured some in-flight shots in the past with my 40D...I was ready to bet my luck on my trustworthy camera again.

Luck was not on my side that day. I had a real good opportunity with the Red-Bearded Bee-eater. Fanning its tail to engage in a mating courtship, I knew I lost a big chance when the action happened at the most undesirable angle...

However, I was still glad. Grateful that at least I'd improved my record shots of this peculiar bee-eater, enjoy:-

The Blogging Marathon: The Trogons

Trogons...not just another bird.

Once upon a time in my younger years, I used to read time and time again a book titled DUSUN. The largest ethnic group in Sabah, the book is about the traditions and beliefs of the Dusun tribe.

As a boy, I was fascinated reading about all the evil spirits in the world of the Dusuns. One name in particular, and the most evil of them all is called Rogons! Being a half blood myself, that name scare me (still!)...

An evil spirit to avoid, it's still hard for me to say "I'm going to look for the Trogons" to my fellow birders, specially when trekking alone in the jungle. Trogon, Rogon...they sounded just the same...

Nonetheless, their sheer beauty is just mind blowing and all fear seemed to vanish immediately on each of my encounter with the 'Trogons'. No shaky hands for these:-

Chestnut Winged Babbler: The Educator

"Often seen singly or in pair"...

A shake of my head or a grin used to follow whenever I came across those sentences above. Those who doesn't know what I'm talking about...well, the phrase above normally used to describe certain birds' behavior in reference books or field guide to birds.

Over time and a few birds wiser, I finally came to comprehend the true meaning of the phrase. I used to take it as nonsense for some personal opinions. The birds themselves taught me and made me understand...

One's a loner...

Two's a company...

Three's a PARTY!!!

BackLogs: The Blogging Marathon

Look at the time...

I can't believe it has been over a month since I last updated my blog. A lot had been going on that I really didn't have the luxury to blog.

I did update my other blog, somehow it's kinda 'mute' blog if you know what I mean.

On my previous posts, I have shared some of my personal favorite bird shots taken in Sepilok Sandakan. I was with one of my best buddies Mr. Alphonsus. Believe me those photos aren't the last of it.

To begin with, these two pics are just as nice to re-heat my blogging engine. It's going to be a marathon, but rest assured I'm gonna finish it. Meanwhile, I present to you ;-