Whitehead's Broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi): Great Green Bird of the montanes

Just finished processing a few of my shots from my previous outings much to my relieve. I have not been updating my blogs as frequent as I wanted to due to the unstable Internet connection.

In between the stuff that I was busy doing , I managed to visit a couple of blogs from a visitor. An interesting birding blogs managed by a person calling himself as Tabib.

You'll find lots of interesting stuff there and you'll surely be amazed by the number of exciting bird's species that can be found around his home. Lucky guy! I'm sure he never ran out of CF coz he could always upload the files to his PC in no time!

I, myself on the other hand have to drive 16km from home to stand a chance of a good sighting. As usual, Labuan Botanical Garden would be the main destination. Some shots really put a good smile on my face and hopefully to yours as well, enjoy;

1. Dragonfly

Rather than having nothing to do while waiting for a "moment of hope", a shot at a hovering dragonfly is all worthwhile. The blue background is actually a reflection of the perfect morning blue sky on the water.

2. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

Not the best of shots, but it feels really good! The tricky lighting fools camera and the speed of the bird itself makes shots like this gives lots of satisfaction. Perhaps, I'll try panning next time when and if I dare and ready.

3. Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (cyornis rufigastra)

Tired on the waiting game, I moved slowly to the other end of the park to find some sort of excitement. I was given not more than 15 second by the Mangrove Blue Flycatcher(cyornis rufigastra) to have a shot at. I got the 'excitement' I was looking for when I was approached by the garden keeper and was asked "What are you doing"? DUH?!!

4. Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)

I was really satisfied to successfully captured the Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) true colors. Their dark metallic coloration can really fool cameras. Good shot! I think so.

As you already know, my buddies and I went to the Crocker Range, Tambunan frequently not too long ago. I have to tell you I miss the place very much! I am so desperate to get better shots of these birds(You'll understand why? they are beautiful birds!), check out;

5. Little Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia ruficeps)

Notice the greenish film on the bottom part of the pic? Wished it was bokeh, but unfortunately not! Had to blend in with the vegetation to get a closer shot at this beautiful bird. Got great help from my camo!

6. White-browed Shrike-babbler (Pteruthius flaviscapis)

My Lifer! Shot at low lighting and reasonably slow shutter speed...I did well I guess. I saw it flying together with a flock of Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis).

7. Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)

Yup..this was the Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) I was telling about. Aren't they a beauty? If I hadn't knew better, I would be heartbroken to see that stray leaf. Not a big deal I guess. That way I have plenty of reasons to go there again...

8. Everett'sYuhina (Yuhina everetti)

Never go tired of taking picture of the Everett'sYuhina (Yuhina everetti). Not an easy bird with always on the go mode. They come in numbers so my tips are; aim for one...but the thing is; you'll risk missing a few other species that may join the flock.

9. Whitehead's Broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi)

Have to come down as the most beautiful green bird I have ever seen. The striking green however doesn't mean they are easy to spot. Come to think of it, it all really depends on your luck and how hard you wish for it. They'll come by...I want to thank Siesie for this one, good eyes you have there girl! Thanks

Sigh...Tambunan...Long-tailed Broadbill...etc,etc...

Little Tern (Sternula Albifrons): Lifer...

I have been spending my several weekends in Labuan lately. Work commitment has been the case here beside the tight budget. The weekends standby period ended today much to my relieve.

I've booked a return flights to Kota Kinabalu this coming weekend (11-14/7) and cost me RM308! The fare is only RM138 and the RM170 is for the airport tax-which I still don't understand what and why. I should take the alternative ways I guess... better still-transfer back to Kota Kinabalu!

Labuan proves to be an exciting birding ground for me. In time, I have found out one or two good spots to see a specific species location. The condition is not so ideal though-obviously hot and humid worsen by hours of waiting in a game of hide and seek...

These are the new species I found at the Botanical garden in the heat of the afternoon sun...

1. Blue-Eared Kingfisher (Alcedo Meningting)

A tiny kingfisher and one of the "Speedy Gonzales" in the bird kingdom. They are much friendlier in Kinabatangan, Sandakan and more approachable. Labuan race is way too shy...

2. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)

I was stunned the first time I saw this great white in the distance... A lifer! and I hoped it was the Asian Paradise Flycatcher! Swiftly flying around the lake, I knew I was wrong when it does what it did on the pic...However, I'm grateful to get the shot!

I had a great weekend but I will surely get greater ones when my kids and beloved wife is around me! Guys, I'm coming home this weekend...

Almost forget;...message from LeeHng;

hi jordan, hope u dont mind me doing a lil advertising here :D Sabah Bloggers Gathering this August 2nd at Imperial Hotel!!!
Visit our official site at: http://sabahbloggers.blogspot.com/
Confirm attendance here: http://caneeliea.com/08-sbg-attendance/
or write to:Caneeliea [at] gmail [dot] com

Help spread this to All Sabahan Bloggers out there!!! :D

I'm spreading the news..I'm spreading the news...

Blue-throated Bee-eater: My pain killer

I haven't been feeling okay these few days. Maybe there wasn't any adrenaline left in my system... I was physically and mentally exhausted. However, I just couldn't leave the weekend gone wasted.


Packed my gear and off hunting to the Botanical Garden and also to Labuan WWII Memorial Park on Sunday. It wasn't meant to be I guessed. Saturday, I only managed to hang on for a couple of hours while on Sunday-an hour more. The sky was perfectly blue, but the heat was just too much to bear.


Tried to look for the Nightjar and the phyton, but I was left disappointed. Not my day...during my time at home, I tried to process the images taken on my previous outings. Again, I was left with more headaches! Maybe later... So, just went checking out my wife's blog.

These are the shots I managed to process;


1. Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)

This shot was taken at the Labuan WWII Memorial Park. It was around noon and didn't expect to see any birds around. This showed up with a meal and worth all the shots...


2. Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops Viridis)

While struggling to stay awake from the cool breeze in the hot sunny day...an opportunity came knocking. My ever so beautiful the Blue-throated Bee-eater! I will certainly will not stop shooting them in action. They're too gorgeous...My pain killer!


While still owing you guys with the bird shots from my previous outing, enjoy these two and the rest will follow soon...

Beastmaster Visit to Labuan 3/5-5/5/2008: Nightjar Lied Naked

Alphonsus just got himself a laptop and I was supposed to give him a crash training! He came to Labuan last weekend, so we did just that. We rented a room at a budget hotel. Near my hunting ground, quick access to good food & a bit of extra signal for my 3G! What else do I need? Oops, Air-condition of course.

He arrived around 11:30am, during which I was busy hunting and just found an interesting new bird. Picked him up after burning a few Gigs of my CF on the bird, had lunch, got a room and back to the park again.

The crash course was tight indeed, but works. He got to do everything from getting the picture to producing the final product. He seemed a bit worried, but I guess its just the self confidence creeping in.

We'll soon be able to see his own work at his Flickr.

I had a great time indeed. For the first time in a long, long time in Labuan-at last a hunting partner. (or should I say spotter?! After all, he is the Beastmaster you know...). During the weekend, I managed to capture the images of these creatures...

1. White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis Phoenicurus)

Finding food at a nearby wet and swampy small opening.

2. Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

I was sure it was the Green Iora at the first sighting...I was wrong but nevertheless grateful to have a few shots. It was on the tree just a few away above the waterhen.

3. Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)

Definitely not the most beautiful bird, but not an easy task to get a decent shot of the bird.

4. Pied Triller (Lalage Nigra)

My best shot of the bird so far. You can bet I'll get better ones.

5. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

It is a huge Kingfisher and a loud one too. I didn't managed to get a good shot of it. This was taken while it was flying across the lake. Wished it was a better shot...However, I'm still grateful to have a record shot of it in Labuan.

6. UnID

Tiny and a fast moving...Prinia? I don't know. Calling on the experts please...

7. Oriental Darter (Anhinga Melanogaster)

An Oriental Darter perched on a dead branch at the other side of the lake. They're huge and quite a beauty.

8. Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (Treron Vernans)

They are fast flyers and shy, you could only see all those beautiful colors when they're still. Beautiful bird.

9. Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos)

This one was wandering quite far off the lake.

10. Dusky Munia (Lonchura fuscans)

My Mum's worst enemy...They come in numbers to the paddy field and attack the crop. Hmm...




11. White-collared Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris)

My best shot so far of this kingfisher.

12. Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)
This was certainly my greatest personal find in Labuan. This was my first Nightjar. I was filled with excitement and nervousness when I first saw it. As I was busy taking picture and trying to find better angles, Alphonsus rang me up...He's more important than off I went.

13. Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)-chick
This was taken shortly after I rescued the chick when it fell in the lake. It was trying to flee after hearing us I guess. More of a culprit than a saviour...However, we meant no harm for it of course.

14. Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)-Chick & Mum

This was taken on our second day visit to the spot. Alphon was the most relieved one to find the mum and the chick together! We could easily recognized the chick with the right eye still shut. This bird is not easy to spot, but if you have the beastmaster around...you're likely to miss an opportunity!

15. Brown Capped Woodpecker (Picoides moluccensis)

This was also one of the great birds that could be found around the lake. Not that easy though.

16. The Crash

Every life counts...I pulled a dead tree right off the soil to make a pole to rescue the helpless creature. Alphon knew I could manage to rescue it and start taking pictures like a reporter!

17. The Satisfaction

What can I say? except for thanks to Alphon to have recorded this small memorable moment.

That was a little bit of adventure Alphon and I had in Labuan last weekend. We actually stumbled upon a phyton near the spot where we rescued the chick. Too bad I didn't manage to get any shots of it. It was the size of my wrist and hid in a hole of a dead palm tree.

Do I dare to go there again alone? ...