– missed this common species that found at Pen Malaysia (both Bukit Tinggi and Fraser Hill) but managed to have it at Sarawak and everyone have a very good view
– somehow we missed this bird at Sabah after ~3 days search, and lucky to have Sarawak which is a slightly easier place to have this species. Such a different spiderhunter and unmistakable call
An unmistakable long-tailed, black-and-white myna. Black except for broad white breast band and collar. South Sulawesi form has a pale-tipped bill; in north, bill is entirely dark. Juveniles less glossy and shorter-tailed than adults. Found in pairs or small groups in canopy of forest and forest edge in lowlands and foothills. Often perches out on prominent dead branches. Restricted to Sulawesi, satellite islands, and Togian Islands. Gives a variety of odd calls, including high-pitched piercing “keer,” soft low-pitched “kyop,” and other whistles and metallic notes. (ebird)
update 202306
– a rather common endemic, but normally high up at canopy. a lucky moment it stand quite low for us this time. (few occasions)
– surprise for last trip, it was so tough to meet one of this common bird, even we had many sights again last day of the long tour. But this bird gave us very good view and picture opportunity
– it missing from Sabah for such a long time finally it found by some local and setup a good hide for everyone enjoy this beauty. (PM or email me if you want have a look at this bird)
– one of the main reason I like be at Paya Maga (beside the Black Oriole). This bird is reasonable easy to “heard” and “seen” with many other good birds too
– when we had last hour and glad everyone never gave up and spent last moment to hike up to a small mountain after rain and “Bingo” after everyone see the Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler. Good view and long enough for almost everyone a good view.
– this is a special Borneo endemic why we were at Paya Maga. The weather is wet almost everyday, muddy trail, cold shower, no electricity, sharing big hall for sleep. But good birds as usual, managed to have this bird first afternoon, and see it almost every day.
– 我们到Paya Maga 的原因（在这没电，冻水凉，湿泥土，下雨，大家睡在一个大空间）可是好鸟原因大家都没投诉。这非常稀有的婆罗洲特有种，到的第一个中午已拿下。之后每一天都看到。
A large, front-heavy brown bird with a long, pale downcurved bill and a distinctive elongated head with a flat crown and a forehead tuft. Orange legs. Unmistakable males have a green-blue breast shield and long creamy-white plumes extending from the shoulders. Females are entirely earth-brown, lacking the shoulder extensions and shield. Immature resembles female. Found in canopy of tall forests in lowlands and foothills, confined to three islands in north Moluccas. Regularly sighted at known display sites. Very loud when displaying, giving raucous “WAA-WAA…” and “KEE-KEE…” notes. [Ebird]
update 202310
– another trip another good view of this bird after longer wait compared to previous trips. I didn’t have best angle but still trying to show the beauty of this bird .. 8km bird .. worth ? YES definitely
– will share some funny video about this bird … may be finish this trip
– this a weird scene I seen, or I missed out anything before .. why the female is on top and I record few times ..
– another trip another good view of this bird after longer wait compared to previous trips. I didn’t have best angle but still trying to show the beauty of this bird .. 8km bird .. worth ? YES definitely
– will share some funny video about this bird … may be finish this trip
– 2nd trip to Halmahera 2023 and see you next week … never get bored to see it making noise and dance even the journey there bit challenge … I am coming
– lucky to see it display but not really full open view. capture video with 100p slowdown 50%
– 幸运的看到他在跳舞。可是没全露。可是还是记录下了。
###
another special tour, which has main target of this Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise.
It is a real good experience to be Halmahera, we just spend 3 nights. We easily got ours’ targets seen.
This is our main target, on 2nd morning. We hike 3.7km straight to the “hide” (on the way, we heard owlet-nightjar which is my favorite bird but we failed to see the bird and also rushing to the hide for main target.
Arrived before 6am, while every still dark. We can heard many of them already calling infront of us but just very brief view. after 30minutes, finally we got clear view of this amazing beautiful bird. But I still only got some extreme high ISO picture even with my CANON RF400mm F2.8.
Long story short, the birds stay for long and from ISO 25600 – ISO800, Managed to have perfect view of the bird and pictures… oohh video too .
Immediate of this target, we walking out and birding. There is another very good story to talk about “pick up service for the Pitta”
A small owl with ear tufts, a black facial border, yellow eyes, prominent black streaking on pale underside, and intricately patterned upperparts with conspicuous white wing markings. Occurs in gray and rufous forms. Adult’s crown is streaked; juvenile’s is barred. Inhabits forest and plantations within lowlands and foothills.[Ebird]
– pretty common across the center of Halmahera, almost can heard it’s call.
– cute and not that shy owl.
– 很特别的叫声，外表也不一样。蛮好看。
– 在哈马黑拉岛的特有种。几乎很普通，那都可以听到叫声。
– 可爱，也不很害羞的鸮。
update 202304
– first night, after heavy rain and long travel. we decided not look for the owl and owlet-nightjar. Next night, we didn’t spend much time to ticked this bird and Moluccan Owlet-nightjar at the same spot.
3. Ivory-breasted Pitta, 白胸八色鸫, 牙白胸八色鳥, Pitta maxima
A distinctive large, plump, short-tailed, long-legged forest bird with a black upperside and white underside, a striking red area on the lower belly, and a conspicuous silvery-blue shoulder patch. Juvenile duller, with buff on underparts. Shy, more often heard than seen. Usually found singly or in pairs in humid lowland and hill forest. Forages on the ground, but while calling often perches high in the understory or canopy. Very vocal; frequently given song is a mournful wolf whistle. [Ebird]
– 非常大的八色鸫。背部全黑。前部白+红。很特别。在这岛上，几乎那都听到这鸟的叫声。
update 202310
– arrived Halmahera, before anything go for this main target … due to long travel everyone seem tired but luckily the bird appear not that long compare to other waiting 😀 and it is huge in size, some with 800mm little bit suffer to take whole bird into frame
– 2nd trip to Halmahera coming soon, can;t visit this amazing place again. Hope get some better pictures of night birds this time .. and this Pick up service Pitta sure another highlight of the tour soon
– post this before I get busy months again. This is one of the most amazing experience on this trip. When day 1 arrived with heavy rain, after rain stop we did quick birding surrounding our homestay. when we walk near the river, owner say why not we go for quick try on the Pitta and keep mentioned “if the bird is nearby or little bit distance he can do pick-up service” !! (I am thinking pick-up service hmmm). But the bird came without long wait or any issue. (so we missed the pick-up service show)
– next day after Standardwing BOP, we walk back to homestay and pass by the Pitta spot. We would like to try for this pitta again for male. After long wait (~15minutes) , he say the bird is far lets’ him pick-up the pitta .. I was like hmm how ? But he walk into the bush and use whistler/call. After ~10minutes wait, we heard the bird call getting nearer and soon we saw him walking out from the bush. and you can see the Pitta is following him coming out from the bush (may be ~10-15m away) !!!!!! “pick up service”
4. Common Paradise-Kingfisher, 普通仙翡翠, 普通仙翡翠, Tanysiptera galatea, ラケットカワセミ, Cekakak-pita biasa
– A long-tailed kingfisher of lowland forests. White underparts and rump, dark blue upperparts with pale blue shoulder and crown. Long white tail with 2 extended central tail feathers ending in spatula tips. Sits still for long periods whilst slowly pumping its tail. Very similar to Little Paradise-Kingfisher, but Common Paradise-Kingfisher is larger, with a paler crown, white rather than blue outer tail feathers and a heavier bill. The safest way to separate, however is by vocalization. Heard more often than seen. Song, a rapidly accelerating and slightly rising series of dry notes. [Ebird]
– a beautiful Kingfisher, even is common but shy for picture
– 蛮漂亮的翠鸟。虽然普通，可是还是不容易拍照。
202304, Halmahera, Indonesia
####
update 202304
– a beautiful Kingfisher, and for the first time feel such a beautiful bird such annoying. Each time the Pitta come near, this bird will fly from far to flush the Pitta away 🙁 no choice to wait and wait until it get bored.
5. North Moluccan Pitta, 北摩鹿加八色鸫, 北摩鹿加八色鳥, Erythropitta rufiventri
– another “Red-bellied” pitta, and it classified as North Moluccan Pitta which is endemic of Halmahera.
– it is very near to Ivory-Breasted Pitta spot
– 另一只“红胸八色鸫”分出来的摩鹿加特有种。
update 202310
– the Bird making call on tree and stand there for so long ..
– 这鸟一直在树上叫。叫了好几个小时。
####
update 202310
– another “different look” North Moluccan which photograph at feeding station at Ternate Island
– a not very easy walk as keep going steep downward sloop
– 另一只北摩鹿加八色鸫，在不一样的岛拍的。样子有点不一样。这个喂食点，也不是太容易。。。一直往下走。
– a small owl, found near forest here which call really funny like frog
– lovely and not so boring boobook.
update 202309
– it is fun to trying to find this owl without knowing where it should be. We just trying ours’ luck and yes.. it is calling dusk and managed to have good view of it not too late of the night.
Medium-sized slender bird, pale gray above, white below, with a small dark bridge between the bill and eye (lores) and faint partial white eyering. Immature lacks distinct mask of Black-faced Cuckooshrike. Dark morph shows large but variable black bib and breast, mottled or barred at the edges. Inhabits eucalypt forest and other woodlands in Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Call a high-pitched, two-note squeak. [Ebird]
– a beautiful Kingfisher, and for the first time feel such a beautiful bird such annoying. Each time the Pitta come near, this bird will fly from far to flush the Pitta away 🙁 no choice to wait and wait until it get bored.
– always seeing this flying for the pass and finally before got “tick attack” (suspect we got the 200-400 tick bites here)we got this bird sitting good for good view to all and some picture opportunity.
– last evening birding, we enjoy the cold weather. surprise so many small birds come to same area in close range. It look like we are birds photography instead of watching.
– we enjoy so much all the small bird such a good view and pictures
– the good evening light make the “black” bird so beautiful.
– post this before I get busy months again. This is one of the most amazing experience on this trip. When day 1 arrived with heavy rain, after rain stop we did quick birding surrounding our homestay. when we walk near the river, owner say why not we go for quick try on the Pitta and keep mentioned “if the bird is nearby or little bit distance he can do pick-up service” !! (I am thinking pick-up service hmmm). But the bird came without long wait or any issue. (so we missed the pick-up service show)
– next day after Standardwing BOP, we walk back to homestay and pass by the Pitta spot. We would like to try for this pitta again for male. After long wait (~15minutes) , he say the bird is far lets’ him pick-up the pitta .. I was like hmm how ? But he walk into the bush and use whistler/call. After ~10minutes wait, we heard the bird call getting nearer and soon we saw him walking out from the bush. and you can see the Pitta is following him coming out from the bush (may be ~10-15m away) !!!!!! “pick up service”
– last night of birding, after Speckled Boobook, immediate got this rare endemic and managed to capture few flying (not really enough shutter speed for sharp picture) . It flying high up with torch the light still not enough for any picture opportunity. Thanks CANON R3 it lock focus in such dark environment and track it down.
– last night of birding, after Speckled Boobook, immediate got this rare endemic and managed to capture few flying (not really enough shutter speed for sharp picture) . It flying high up with torch the light still not enough for any picture opportunity. Thanks CANON R3 it lock focus in such dark environment and track it down.
– 2023 April Sulawesi-Halmahera Bird watch trip end. Today finally got to sleep until 6am and wake up for proper breakfast. Tomorrow another new challenge.
– a special boobook, with special call.
– this bird is first ever bird we saw so tame, it stand there for such a long time for us to have good view.
another special tour, which has main target of this Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise.
It is a real good experience to be Halmahera, we just spend 3 nights. We easily got ours’ targets seen.
This is our main target, on 2nd morning. We hike 3.7km straight to the “hide” (on the way, we heard owlet-nightjar which is my favorite bird but we failed to see the bird and also rushing to the hide for main target.
Arrived before 6am, while every still dark. We can heard many of them already calling infront of us but just very brief view. after 30minutes, finally we got clear view of this amazing beautiful bird. But I still only got some extreme high ISO picture even with my CANON RF400mm F2.8.
Long story short, the birds stay for long and from ISO 25600 – ISO800, Managed to have perfect view of the bird and pictures… oohh video too .
Immediate of this target, we walking out and birding. There is another very good story to talk about “pick up service for the Pitta”
– a very active bird, lucky to have few moment captured it calling but too bad I can’t handle the 400mm well with handhled. can see shaky
– as usual it making funny calls, it change call for more than 4 differents
– exclusive Borneo montane endemic, KNP, and sometimes see it calling and flying around
update 202304
– it is not that often to see this beautiful raptor close, this bird flying low and close after ours guests insist to wait for this amazing raptor after heard its’ call
– lucky guest to see this bird for 2 times in 2 days. He insist to have a better look at this target bird. But the first bird seem does not cooperate for him to have good look. Next day , next destination this bird stand long for us.
1. Marbled Wren-Babbler, 石纹鹪鹛, 石紋鷦鶥, Turdinus marmoratus, ウロコサザイチメドリ, KEKICAU-MURAI BESAR BUKIT
– a sub-montane bird which big in size .. shy and move fast
– normally low almost close to ground
update 202304
– as usual, this shy bird always hiding behind something. But this time with CANON R3, using single point to touch any part of the bird body. The bird eye will be lock focus and track. So simple compare to old time.
How I wish can spend more time with this beautiful bird, but guests still has targets.. lets move on.
13. Yellow-vented Green-Pigeon, 白腹针尾绿鸠, 白腹針尾綠鳩, Treron seimundi, シロハラハリオアオバト, PUNAI GUNUNG BAHU MERAH
– big green pigeon wont miss it’s blue eye-ring connect to bill, long needle-pointed tail, yellow vent
– rare and shy big green pigeon
– normally sight sub-montane
update 202304
– another lucky day for guests, with minimum walking, Large Wren-babbler again and much better view, Black Magpie, and this beautiful pigeon with amazing view.
– another bird that you do not want to miss … it call softly in night . stay like dry leaf
update 202304
– guests had specify species to look for but dint mentioned frogmouth before meet up. But the route make us difficult to arrange. But we tried few locations still can’t have any frogmouth until day 8. We went a trail for birding just before it rain, we saw this bird shaking just ~10 feet from us. what a lucky moment for guests and immediate after this bird we also saw a female Malaysia Peacock-Pheasant too than follow by heavy rain for next 2- hours. Today highlights for customer: Gould’s frogmouth, Malaysia Peacock-Pheasant, Large Wren-Babblers, Red-naped Trogon, Crested Shrikejay
2023 could be another challenge year for myself. After ~3 years of covid lockdown. Finally, almost everyone is back to normal life.
I will be going to have another challenge year with all 2020 postpone tours, 2023 new tours (with everyone want to travel) and most important .. I receive the challenge/award as CANON EOS Master and Gitzo Ambassador.
with very busy tours schedule, let’s plan some activities for Nature Photography.
I recently discover the R7, R3 and R6II allow me to customize for very good AF requirement for various environment for my shooting style.
it is so flexible that allow set Servo AF case, Servo, Single point, Track or NOT, Animal/vehicle/Human detect, Eye detection ON/OFF to each shortcut button set ….
why do I sharing this…. asking bird photographers …
1. when bird in flight what’s setting are you using ?
2. when complex environment what’s setting are you using ?
3. in General, do you shoot multiple subjects ? animal, human, vehicle ?
4. do you require auto detection subject (single subject , wide area) or selective (single subject and point)
5. you may also want no eye detection just normal old way of point focus with one button set to this
For me, I feel using Zone to general shooting wildlife is fast and easy, but it is not really fast or need accuracy putting “flying subject” into the box or not work at complex environment (which I always use single point to tough the subject body and eye will be automatic found)
For me, I feel using Zone to general shooting wildlife is fast and easy, but it is not really fast or need accuracy putting “flying subject” into the box or not work at complex environment (which I always use single point to tough the subject body and eye will be automatic found)
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Summary my Wildlife Photography AF Shortcut setup Animal Detect, Eye Detect for all
1. Shutter Button – Zone, General Shooting
(Zone allow me faster detect bird than single point)
2. Shortcut 1 – Wide screen, action (BIF)
(Bigger area allow the Animal in action been detect, if Zone or single point use may require accurate focus area on the bird)
3. Shortcut 2 – Single Point, Complex environment
(for many branches, it is easier to allow Animal eye to be detect)
#########
After Wide area detect bird or Single point detect bird, after press the shutter button, it will go back to “Zone” it work quite well or transparent
***my current setting will change back to default
AF setting after use the shortcut setup to detect the birds but so far it continue to lock focus on the bird eye and track
***but if you want specify what condition, can just set the shutter button to “metering start” which do not apply default AF setting
Actually This special shortcut setting method
allow us do more eg. Shooting portrait, wildlife with
various button. But this the shutter button not able to
use “meter and AF” else it will go back to the default AF
A feature that I love to have from long ago from CANON.
This is a very useful function for wildlife Photographer.
But for the first time, CANON put this special function into a R7 in a special way.
When I having the Pre-production unit, I am wonder
1. how it work (AF is like other system ? focus only happen on first moment when half press the shutter button)
2. how do we extract ! just from the camera ? why put everything into single file 3. pre record how long ? and now we know it is 0.5s and why ? enough for us ? 4. can we extract all the file within the single RAW Burst file ?
NO … why I am not answering all the question but this sharing is simply show why/when we need this function, how we shoot, how we extract …
I put everything how’s it work into a video..
or another sample while capture this bird with my guests and birder Alex
base on video below
1. the bird is standing a while before further action
2. CANON R7 Raw burst enable and half press shutter button when the bird standing before further action
3. press the shutter after see the bird jump (at the video below flag moment)
4. As the video show at frame 10 (16 frames before I press the shutter button pictures)
Most of the camera nowaday, giving animal eye detection, tracking but limited the AF mode where mostly by either a “zone” or Full screen (mean if we want Bird eye detect, we either limit ourselves either using “dedicated zone/zone size” or “full sensor screen”
*** have a look at the youtube sharing
But Why do I like the AF mode by using different area? single point sometime is very useful when obstacle is infront of subject.
CANON R7 with 32.5-megapixel ASP-C CMOS sensor, such a high megapixel camera always give good details to subject. here is a sharing page for sample full size pictures for your reference
