26 May 2009

Kuala Tahan National Park - One Day Trip - Bird Photography

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Boat at Taman Negara Kuala Tahan

After seeing Yen posting his beautiful Great Argus pictures photographed at National park at Kuala Tahan Pahang @ 17/5. I am tempted to find that bird too. I'm from Pahang, and that Taman Negara (National Park) situated in my home state, and I have never been there.
So, on Sunday morning 24/5 I made an early start to that place. I reached there at 6.30am, nobody at Kuala Tahan wakeup except for a few boatman!.
Very eager to start birding, I immediately tracked the Lubuk Simpon trail at 7.30am. By 7.40 I encounter my first lifer - The Crested Fireback. Three male bird foraged in the dark trail, so with limited lighting focusing was very challenging.

Crested Fireback Lophura ignita rufa - Adult maleThis are the blurry record shots.
Crested Fireback Lophura ignita rufa Crested Fireback (Lophura ignita rufa) - adult male
Crested Fireback Ayam Pegar
Local name: Ayam Pegar
Crested Fireback Lophura ignita rufaBlack-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea prophata This Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), nesting very near the wooden platform at Lubuk Simpon trail. When Yen saw it on 17/5, the birds were busy making the nest. Now the nest has been completed, and the male start incubating.
Picture by Yen - nest building 17/5/2009 and feeding the chicks 15/6/2009
The bird just sit quietly in the nest, did not afraid of me. For this full-framed pic, I have to back track to position my camera for 400mm minimum focusing distance of 3.5m.
Black-naped Monarch
Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea prophata Motorized Sampan at Kuala Tahan

Motorized sampan transporting tourists to Taman Negara, Pahang.
Boat at Kuala Tahan, Pahang

Did I get the Great Argus?
No luck, trekking at that Jenut Muda trail was very challenging (for old man like me) with so many up&down hill. Heard loud call of this big bird everywhere, but none appear on the trail/open area. I give-up after waiting for 45 minutes (some more, I'm afraid of sitting alone at 3.5km inside the dark forest!). Next time maybe...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very nice photograph. Thank you.

Wai Yien said...

The Black Naped Monarch nesting is a great shot. Very cute.

Marie said...

I was going to ask Abe if he knew you! Those birds are so beautiful. Your photos are great as always.

Anonymous said...

I love the first photo and the Black-naped Monarch in breath taking.

Gaelyn said...

You may not have seen the quested for Argus, but that shot of the Black-naped Monarch in nest is absolutely amazing. Awesome captures! Even the fuzzy ones.

alicesg said...

Wow the black naped monarch is so beautiful. Love the rich colour of its body.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Tabib: Very neat birds and the boat is really cool.

Marites said...

that's really impressive..i really love the bird with a nest pic, it's really beautiful and also the last pic. Great capture! :) Your world is quite beautiful!!

My world is up too.

Guy D said...

All are excellent shots, well done.

Have a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Sylvia K said...

Your photos are fantastic as always, Tabib! The birds are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Everytime I see your photo shot, I feel like getting myself a better lens. hu, hu, hu.. :(

penny said...

Your world is beautiful and your photos are too.

Hasyimi Adam said...

Salam, Great job on black-naped Monarch. So beautiful.

Amila Salgado said...

I had Great Argus at Taman Negara but missed Crested Fireback.

Glennis said...

The Monarch looks lovely sitting on his nest. Next time you might get as great a photo of the Argus.
I like the tourist boat pic too, they are fun to zip along in.

Razak Bin Ramli said...

cantiknya burung tu...
gambar pun sharp.