Dollarbird (Eurostomus orientalis)

by | Mar 4, 2016 | Birds, Phuket, Wildlife

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This dollarbird (Eurostomus orientalis) was perched on a dead tree – a favourite spot for them – near our apartment in Kamala, Phuket. A type of roller, this species is so-called because of the shape of the white wing patches seen in flight.

Canon G3X. Left shot ISO500 1/2000 at f/9; right shot ISO125 1/1250 at f/5.6. Both shots cropped and tweaked in LR

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Crowned Lapwing

by | Nov 15, 2012 | African Birds, All, Birds, Kenya, Wildlife

This Crowned Lapwing was seen at the Solio Game Reserve, a private 18000 acre reserve just north of Nyeri in central Kenya. Solio has been successful in breeding black rhino and over 120 black and white rhino live there. One appealing feature of the reserve is that you just pay your entrance fee and drive yourself around. It’s quiet and has none of the zebra stripe painted jeeps full of tourists vying for position to get the next shot. At Solio, you just take your time.

According to ‘Birds of East Africa’ by Stevenson and Fanshawe, ‘the crowned lapwing is a bird associated with dry country and grasslands, best identified by head, breast and wing markings. All resident species are known as plovers in Southern Africa. The Crowned Lapwing, (Vanellus coronatus) is 31cm, 12″, has a smart head pattern with a black cap and white crown ring standing out at long distance; the ring accentuates the flat head and steep forehead. It is alert and upright, with yellow eyes and bright red legs.’

Canon 1DMkII with Canon 300mmf2.8L IS lens and x2 extender; ISO400 f5.6 1/640

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Black-capped Social-Weaver

by | Nov 12, 2012 | African Birds, All, Birds, Kenya

The Social-Weavers (Genus Pseudonigrita) are a different genus from True Weavers (Genus Ploceus), but apart from their colouring – true weavers are mainly predominantly yellow, the social-weavers seem to exhibit similar behaviour. According to Stevenson & Fanshawe’s excellent book, Birds of East Africa, ‘…the Social-Weavers are small birds (4.5″ – 5″) which occur in large flocks, often feeding together on the ground. Their nests are tightly woven balls of grass which hang from the very ends of the the thinnest branches of large trees, often hundreds of pairs breeding together. The sexes are alike.
The Black-capped Social-Weaver (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) is a ‘small attractive weaver with a black cap and tail contrasting with a brown back and wings, a white bill with a greenish tinge, and red eyes. White below with black streaks on flanks and belly. Flocks inhabit drier country than the Grey-capped Social-Weaver from 200-1300m, including quite arid areas if large trees are present for breeding.’
I spotted this fellow on a trip to Buffalo Springs Game Reserve, Samburu, Kenya. He was one of many busily constructing their nests in a tree that was overflowing with nests.

Canon EOS 1DMkII with Canon 300mm f2.8L IS lens, ISO 200 f4.5 1/2500

 

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Red-Whiskered Bulbul

by | Sep 6, 2012 | All, Birds, Hong Kong

This fellow was one of several bulbuls that frequented the trees outside the balcony of our apartment in Hong Kong. I took this shot some years ago with my first digital slr on a misty day in the spring. The bird was at least 40 feet away and even using a doubler on the 300mm lens, he was quite small – the image is a little cropped. In order to get sufficient light, I used a projection device on the flash gun.

According to Craig Robson’s Birds of South East Asia (pub. New Holland) ‘the Red-Whiskered Bulbul in the adult has a tall erect black crest, black moustachial line, whitish ear-coverts and underparts and red ear-patch and undertail coverts. The juvenile is brown tinged overall, crest shorter, red ear-patch lacking, undertail parts pinker. Resident from India & Tibet eastwards and a common resident in SE Asia except Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore. Size of adult: 18-20.5 cm’

The Red-Whiskered Bulbul is also known as the Crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)

Canon EOS D60 with Canon 300mm f2.8L IS lens and Canon x2 extender; ISO 200 f11 1/200, projection flash.

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S is for …

by | Aug 17, 2012 | All, Birds, Hong Kong

This flamingo was posing in perfect flamingo fashion in the Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological gardens. The S-shape formed by its head and neck is reminiscent of the sort of heading you see in children’s alphabet books.

Taken in pre-digital days with a Canon EOS3 and Canon 300mm f2.8L IS lens using Fuji Provia transparency film and also in pre-bird flu days – since then the fencing in the park has ruined getting good shots of the inhabitants.

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