NPX: How long have you been interested nature photography?

Reno: Been into nature photography since 2006, only started to be active in 2008.

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Reno: Learned from trial and error, from people around me, especially from the birders who willing to share while meeting them in the field.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Reno: The first person that influences me a lot is Arthur, follow by Low aka Dominator, YYChong, Philip Tang also… haha. Mainly we are using the same camera with similar setup. The photographers that i admire are Mark Chua, Ender, Willis, JZ, Adrian, Roger, YYChong, Dominator, Arthur, Chris Lee, Calvin aka Deswitch, Handsome Wong aka GCSpyder, Jason Cho aka Jcho, Boon Leong aka Wokoti…. etc

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Reno: F80 Film Body, D700, 17-35mm F2.8, 24-120mm VR, 50mm F1.8, 105mm VR, 500mm F4 AFSII
In my bag: D700, 500mm, 1.4tc, 1.7tc, OFF anti mozzie spray, hat, spare batts and memory card. Also my psp.

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why?

Reno: Kingfishers, Lovebirds. I love their colours and their actions.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Reno: Think i will still concentrate into birding. I have tried macro, landscape, XMMs portrait, Cosplay, street shooting, night shoots, abstracts, food, fireworks. I still prefer birding.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Reno: It should be the time was in late dec 2007 where i was patiently waiting for the common kingfisher to perch onto a perch planted by remo from morning till evening without having lunch, just water. And this continue for like many days. That time i am still using D200 with 80-400mm VR and then upgrade to D700 with tamron 200-500mm.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Reno: Actually the challenge is to get my girlfriend to approve me to go shoot birds, especially on the day where i suppose to go out with her. As for whether we get the bird or not is really that important as I still remember Chris Lee always mention “if we never get the bird today, we can get it some other time”. The most important thing that matters is to get VISA for birding. I still trying to get my girlfriend into birding, already got a pair of leech socks for her, next thing to get for her is the bino and a hat… hehehe..

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe
to us why you like these images.

Photos:
This is one of the Lovebird species, not sure what species it is and it is my friend’s pet.

My friend’s greedy masked lovebird who keep eating and eating and eating.

This one taken at SBG, all credit goes to JZ who tame the bird to stand on the rock.

This one is taken in 2008 where i am still using D700 with tamron 200-500mm

NPX: How long have you been interested nature photography?

Luenny:  I’ve been interested in photography since my sec school days but never did have a genre where I really like. I only really interested in nature photography when I restarted my hobby 2 years ago.

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Luenny:  Nature fascinates me now more than ever – particularly because of the impending crisis that our natural world is facing. I want to capture the beauty of it – particularly animals (not just birds) – as much as possible. I also like the fact that you can never really predict the subject that will show themselves when shooting animals.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Luenny:  Through books and talking a lot to the people in the camera shops – back in the days, there were no internet and everything were on flim so learning the hard way was expensive. Nowadays, it’s so much easier (and cheaper to experiment). With internet and forums available, I got a lot of inspiration from pictures that other people post.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Luenny:  Chris Johns and Michael Nichols were some of the photographers that I idolize but my favourite would be Jim Brandenburg.

A lot of Brandenburg’s photographs plays with light a lot and that’s what I try to capture. And if I have it my way, I want
to change my lighting everytime I shoot so that I can experiment with back, front, side lighting and combinations of those.

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Luenny:
Lenses:
105mm f2.8 Micro Nikon
180mm f3.5 Tamron Macro
17-50mm f2.8 Tamron Macro
300mm f4.0 Nikon
400mm f2.8 Nikon
1.4TC Nikon
2.0TC Nikon

Cameras:
D200 (Badly battered up)
D300

Rest of the things I don’t put in the drybox.

During birding I try to travel light (especiallyif birding locally)
D300, 1.4TC, 2.0TC, 400mm f2.8 and SB800.

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why?

Luenny: Bee eaters and kingfishers. I like their vibrant colors and their active high speed lifestyle. Recently I’ve fallen head over heals for a baby owl who stare at me. I guess the list changes over time.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Luenny: I would love to try to shoot other animals. I like animals all on the whole so it’s only natural to shoot them if I have the chance.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Luenny: I guess that would be my first birding trip to Panti. I just started birding then and it was really dry. Everybody else was having tough luck and I only got a shot of 1 bird that can barely make it to post. But it was my first forest and my first kingfisher and it was a rufous-backed.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Luenny: Coming from a macro background, when I started birding I use flash. It was part of my natural instinct back then. But then I realise, with flash, the lighting is always from the front – unlike macro where you can put the flash on the side to create side or backlighting. So that makes the images flat and is not what I really want.

After birding with Adrian and the rest, I finally have the courage to remove my flash (well I usually mount it but off it so that I don’t have to go running back to my car when I need it). It can be unnerving because without flash, chances of getting a bad lighting is much higher and it you travel 1000 km to shoot a bird, you want it to look good. But eventually I got through the fear. After all, if it turns out not nice, there’s an excuse to shoot again.

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

This is my first (hopefully not the only) beetle in flight shot. It has everything that I wish for there, well isolated subject, open wings showing action, side lighting and the fact that part of the beetle is cut off gives the impression that it’s coming at you. It can still be improved if I have the time.

This is one of my favourite because this is one of the rare chance where backlighting work so well for the subject. Not only that, it has other bonuses too like the warm soft directional morning light and the water on the beak causing it have a tiny spark.

And who wouldn’t like a nice kingfisher with food in mouth if taken properly?

Article by Nelson Khor

Website: http://www.pbase.com/me_photoshots/

This is my 1st Birds Photograph trip in Taiwan before was few business/holiday trip, still remember my last visit Taiwan was year 2001.

This trip we have three person, Makus, Ng Ban Hor (Mr No Good) and Me, Makus is responsible of ” Bird List ” mean in charge of what bird is our wish list, of course he will have the long list to Taiwan, No Good will be responsible of financial, in charge of cash in cash out… me will be responsible of Trip arrange and bird guide and including food + visit Street Night Market in Taiwan.

It about three month we survey and ask around and finally we found the bird guide we need, she was recommend by few of my Taiwan bird friend from bird forum. She also a Bird Photographer so is the right person we choose.

We start to discuss in detail about when, ticket, location, bird….. etc.

OK, we are really to fly and just wait for the time to arrive, in this trip I just brought two lens, 600mm F4L, 17-40mm F4L and new toy 7D.

Day 1 – Taiwan (台灣)

I’m flight from Penang to KL airport to met Makus and No Good, than we take Malaysia air line direct to Taoyuan International Airport (桃園中正機場), it about 4.5 hours to reach there, the local time is 2:15PM(same as Malaysia). Our Bird Guide Ms Dot Cool (珮文) is just waiting at the arrival hall and welcome us, 1st step walk out from the air port, it really windy and cool, not very cold, it about 20℃ . ( Too bad, Taipei weather will be cloudy and rain, and this will continue for a week, but this was told before, so we are well prepare )

We directly go for our 1st target, Pied Avocet, that time was strong wing and cold also start rain, it about 15℃ , from the picture you can know the condition of shooting this Pied Avocet, too bad it become Eagle’s breakfast few days later.

Pied Avocet ( 反嘴鴴 )

After we go for dinner at on the way to hotel for Taiwan local food, Beef Noodle (牛肉麵) & Oyster Vermicelli (蚵仔麵線) than check in Hotel in town and prepare for the day 2.

Beef Noodle (牛肉麵)

Oyster vermicelli (蚵仔麵線)

Day 2 – Yehliu Park (野柳公園)
Yehliu (野柳) is a cape on the north coast of Taiwan in the town of Wanli between Taipei and Keelung also where the migrant bird will by pass before to another location, it belong to one of the famous Tourist attractions, so we have to go early morning before the tourist. Quite a promising place but only the weather is bad…. we are shooting in raining condition for the whole morning, also we meet a lot of Taiwan Birds Photographer there, they are nice and friendly.

Grey Backed Thrush ( 灰背鶇 )

Daurian Redstart ( 黃尾鴝 )

Japanese Robin ( 日本歌鴝 )

Japanese Bush Warbler( 短翅樹鶯 )

Siberian Rubythroat ( 野鴝 )

Grey Wagtail ( 灰鶺鴒 )

Day 2/3 – Dasyueshan (鞍马山)
Dashuishan National Forest Recreational Area is in Hopin township, Taichung County and is accessible through Dashuishan forest road. There are numerous layers of mountain and dense forests. The area ranges from 1000 to 2996 meters above sea level and covers 3963 hectares. The climate is humid and cool with 12℃ as annual average temperature. This is the 1st mountain we visit in Taiwan, after finish the whole trip report you can know how many mountain we focus this trip, we reach there late afternoon, it about two~three hours for us to shooting ( Taiwan after 6:00pm will be getting dark when early winter time )
I’ll said this is quite a promising place, if we go to right season, it will be more birds for, at the night we check in resort (奇沐山莊).

White Browed Bush Robin ( 白眉林鴝) – Endemic Subspecies

White Whiskered/Taiwan Laughingthrush ( 台灣噪眉 ) – Endemic Species

Mikado Pheasant ( 黑長尾雉 ) – Endemic Species

Swinhoe’s Pheasant ( 藍腹鷴 ) – Endemic Species

Collared Bush Robin ( 栗背林鴝 ) – Endemic Species

Black-throated Tit ( 紅頭山雀 )

Some nature photograph from Dasyueshan (鞍马山) while the bird not coming.( This two shots is from my HTC handphone )

Day 4 (AM) – Hehuan Mountain (合歡山)
Mountain Hehuan (Hehuan Mountain) is located between Ren-ai Township in central Taiwan’s Nantou County and Hsioulin Township in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien County. The mountain reaches an elevation of 3,416 meters, also where the people of Taiwan go in the winter to see the snow. We reach Hehuan Mountain at day 4 of night, it was very cold, the temperature is about 5℃, we check-in Hostel Songxue (松雪樓), it not cheap, it is the most expensive Hostel in Hehuan Mountain but the room is very nice and deluxe. We spent in morning section at HeHuan Mountain, the target is to get the Alpine Accentor, after move to SunlinkSea

Alpine Accentor ( 岩鷚 ) – Endemic Species

Winter Wren ( 鷦鷯 ) – Endemic Species

Taiwan Firecrest ( 火冠戴菊鳥 ) – Endemic Species

Vinaceous Rosefinch ( 酒紅朱雀 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Coal Tit ( 煤山雀 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Some nature photograph from Hehuan Mountain (合歡山) which just outside from our Hostel Songxue (松雪樓)

Day 4 (PM)- SunlinkSea (杉林溪)
The SunlinkSea located at the Nantou, area approximately is 17 kilometers, the altitude above sea level approximately is 1600 meters, the occupying land area approximately is 40 hectares, seem like this place is surrounding by rivulet.

Little Forktail ( 小剪尾 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Plumbeous Water Redstart ( 鉛色水鴝 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Steere’s Liocichla ( 黃胸藪眉 ) – Endemic Species

Day 5, 6 & 7 – Alishan ( 阿里山 / 塔塔加 / 玉山 )
Alishan is well known for its sunrises, and on a suitable morning one can observe the sun come up on a sea of clouds, in the area between Alishan and Yushan (玉山). Which is formed by Dawu Mountain (北大武山) range, Jian Mountain (小劍山)….etc. 18 large mountains, stretching from Nantou to Jiayi in two counties. The highest peak is 2663 meters above sea level, it will be very cold at night below 5℃. We do look for owl at night, we manage to see and some mammal but the temperature is too cold for us, have to give up photograph it, even we also have the problem to hold our tripod and lens, that time the temperature is about 2℃+-.

Streak Throated Fulvetta ( 灰頭花翼 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Taiwan Barwing ( 紋翼畫眉 ) – Endemic Species

Eurasian Nutcracker ( 星鴉 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Black-throated Tit ( 紅頭山雀 )

Collared Bush Robin ( 栗背林鴝 ) – Endemic Species

Grey Cheeked Fulvetta ( 繡眼畫眉 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Taiwan Hill Partridge ( 台灣山鷓鴣 ) – Endemic Species

Chinese Bomboo Partridge ( 竹雞 ) – Endemic Subspecies

This is one of the Monkey in Taiwan I manage to photograph, they will come very near you, some of them are jump up to our Car and asking for food…..

Macacus Monkeys (台灣猕猴 )

Romantic name, heard if you are taken the photo with your love one, both of you will be love forever, if friend, the friendship will be forever

Husband & Wife tree (夫妻神木 )

Some nature photograph from Alishan ( 阿里山 / 塔塔加 / 玉山 )

Day 8 (AM) – Yilan Park (宜蘭植物園)
Start at early morning from Hotel before toward to destination, we stop and the road side for our breakfast, Taiwan morning breakfast is one of my favor. When reach at the Park, too bad the weather is cloudy and raining … since we already here just setup our gear and wear the raincoat and start photograph ….. the rain stop after few hours when the SBS Babbler show up.

Breakfast at on the way to Yilan Park, this kind of shop is very common and popular in Taiwan

Maroon Oriole ( 朱鸝 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Crested Goshawk ( 鳳頭蒼鷹 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Streak Breasted Scimitar Babbler ( 小彎嘴 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Yellow Browed Warbler ( 黃眉柳鶯 )

Before move to next location… take some regional snack
Ice Cream/Peanut Crepes ( 冰淇淋花生捲)

Day 8 (PM) – Chiayi Wetland 鰲鼓溼地
This is the bigger wetland in Taiwan, located at Chiayi, the total area approximately had 1500 hectares, the wetland scope also includes the sandbar, the bog, the wind-break forest and paddy field, every year the BF Spoonbill will be visit here and other migrate bird as well.

Black-faced Spoonbill ( 黑面琵鷺 )

Northern Lapwing ( 小辮鴴 )

Mallard Duck ( 綠頭鴨 )

Tufted Duck (鳳頭潛鴨)

Green wing Teal ( 小水鴨 )

Buff Bellied Pipit ( 黃腹鷚 )

When come to night, we go for night market in Taipei Town to look for regional food at Lehua Night Market ( 樂華夜市 )

Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐) ….

Taiwan Hot Dog (大腸包小腸), Is small sausage wrapped in big sausage. A Taiwanese snack, common in night market

Tianbula – (甜不辣)

Taiwan Xishi (台灣檳榔西施)

Day 9 – Taipei Botanic Garden ( 台北植物園 )
It is located in the Taipei City and occupies about 8 hectares. More than 2000 species have been collected and displayed here, in addition to the plentiful living plants, two old buildings in the garden have been assigned to be the cultural heritage by the government. Our target bird here is T.Barbet.

Taiwan Barbet ( 台灣擬啄木 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Light Vented Bulbul – 白頭翁 – Endemic Subspecies

Japanese White Eye ( 綠繡眼 )

Malaysian Night Heron ( 黑冠麻鷺 ), I cannot get this shots in Malaysia, so only able to photograph in Taiwan

Common Moorhen ( 紅冠水雞 )

Brown Shrike ( 紅尾伯勞 ) It more colorful from Malaysia since is winter time

Gray Treepie ( 樹鵲 ) – Endemic Subspecies

Taiwan Squirrel ( 松鼠 )

This is the last night in Taiwan, so we go again to night market name Raohe Street Night Market ( 饒河夜市 )
I will said, I love Taiwan food

Day 10 – End of our journey

NPX: How long have you been interested nature photography?

Kok Tiong: Started in early 2009 when i was using 70-200mm lens + 2x TC to shoot wild birds at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Kok Tiong: I like wild birds especially those colourful one.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Kok Tiong: Books, website, forums and friends

NPX: How come all your images are so sharp and well exposed? Dare to share your secret?

Kok Tiong: I use Nikon 600mm lens with 1.4TC attached. I oftenly set my camera to Aperture mode f8, ISO 400, AFC. Centre weighted metering and i do not crop alot for my image so to minimise details loss. I oftenly use shutter release cable to minimise vibration. i shoot RAW, this is a important setting for me. I shoot without flash I uses D3 body for action, poor light condition, close object and D300 to achieve longer focus distance. If my object is tame, i will use Mirror Lock Up function. If my object are difficult to expose in term of colours, i will use spot metering instead of centre weighted. (personal preference). Maybe luck also play a part in achieving sharp image.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Kok Tiong: There is a lady photographer name “Ong Kiem Sian”. I believe most of us know about her. Her style, delication and passion for birds really influence me.

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Kok Tiong: Dry Cabinet – 24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, 600mm f4, 1.4 TC, SB800 flashlight, D3 and D300. Bag – D3, D300, 600mm f4, 1.4TC, SB800 flashlight, dust blower and lens pen.

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why?

Kok Tiong: I like Barbet and Kingfisher because they are colourful.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Kok Tiong: Wild animals in Africa. I am fascinated with those animal action scene shown on the TV.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Kok Tiong: Saw a snake in front of me while i am walking through the grassland looking for birds. I am not sure of the snake ID but it was scary moment.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Kok Tiong: Work commitment, family commitment. Not enough TIME for photography.

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

Kok Tiong: I like images with clean background.

NPX: Thanks for your time!

Kok Tiong: Thanks!

Situated just west to the Wallacean Line, the island of Bali is geographically diverse and very rich in bird life with 346 species of birds recorded on the island. Bali shares many very similar species of birds with it’s neighboring bigger island of Java. However it’s relatively smaller size (5,315 sq km) and the ease of travels to and within Bali makes it an even more lucrative and convenient location for bird photography than Java.

There is only one endemic species of bird in Bali, the Bali Myna. This is one of the most critically endangered birds in the world. As such the chances of seeing a naturally wild bird is very small. However, one stand quite a good chance of getting good photographs of captive-breed released birds in a number of spots within Bali Barat National Park.

Celu Sewage Lagoons

Located next to the northern entrance to Nusa Dua (close to Club Med Bali), Celu Sewage Ponds is a good starting point for most who come to Bali for bird photography. The lagoons offer a large number of water birds including Javan Pond Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Little Pied Cormorant, and Sunda Teal. Early morning (just at dawn) is the best time to capture the large number of flying egrets and cormorants as they hunt for fish within the eastern most of the ponds

Though a very shy bird that does not allow you to approach close, Cerulean Kingfishers are quite common in Celu. Hence for most, Celu would probably be the best place to see and shoot this species. The mangroves bordering the western end of Celu are good for migrant waders such as Grey-tailed Tattler, Grey Plover and Curlews.

Ubud and the Paddy Fields

Around Ubud are a number of accessible paddy fields. The best time to find birds in the paddy fields is when the grains are still green and soft. Species include Javan Kingfisher, Bar-winged Prinia, Zitting and Golden-headed Cisticolas, Rainbow, Chestnut-headed and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Javan Munia, and possibly even the Java Sparrow.

Pura Luhur Batukau (or Pura Luhur Batukaru)

Located about 23 km north of Tabanan at the southern slopes of Mount Batukau, Pura Luhur Batukau is the holiest temple in the region. As the temple just fringes the forest, a large number of forest species could also be seen here. The temple and the main road leading to the temple is also the best place to see and photograph the White-crowned Forktail.

Getting to the temple can be quite a challenge as it is remote and signage to the temple is poor. It is best to ask the locals for directions as you travel the minor roads that lead to the temple.

Bedugul

Bedugul is a mountain retreat popular with local tourists, and many come here to visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a temple at the edge of Lake Bratan. There are many guesthouses in the area, many of them surrounding the lake, and the gardens of these guesthouses offer opportunities for bird photography. Bedugul is also where the Bali Botanic Garden is located (see below). The Bali Handara Golf Course north of Bedugul has also been recommended as a place for thrushes and the Sunda Bush-warbler.

Bali Botanic Garden

The Bali Botanic Garden is quite a difficult place for bird photography as the trees are very tall and mature, and the under story is rather dark . The Garden is also rather large and hilly. It is however a good place to find for thrushes, including the Javan Whistling Thrush. There are many Bottlebrush plants (Callistemon sp.) that line the road just beyond the garden entrance and near the VIP Guesthouse. Indonesian Honeyeaters are common amongst these bushes as they feed of the nectar of the Bottlebrush flower. They readily respond to a recorded playback of their call. Pied Bushchats are also quite common in the Botanic Garden, especially around the entrance.

Munduk

Another mountain retreat, Munduk is a place where people come for a day but stay for a week. There are many guesthouses and resorts perched on the hill slopes and the gardens of these offer much opportunities for bird photography. Common garden species include Bar-winged Prinia, Oriental White-eyes, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, and Javan Munia,

Bunut Bolong

Bunut Bolong or Fig-tree Hole, along the Pekutatan – Pupuan Road, is where the road passes through the bole of an immensely large fig tree. This location has been mentioned as a good place to find hornbills, barbets, mynas and pigeons, especially when the tree is fruiting.

Bali Barat National Park

Located on the far western part of the island, Bali Barat National Park is the very last wild stronghold for the Bali Myna. Since 2006, the national park has a program to reintroduce captive-breed birds back to the wild. Reintroduced birds are best seen near artificial breeding boxes, and these can be found in Mimpi Menjangan Resort and Waka Shorea Resort, within the national park. There are also a large number of breeding boxes at Teluk Brumbun, but you would require a national park permit, a ranger guide and a boat to get you there, and this can work out to be quite expensive unless the cost is being shared out with increased numbers.

A cheaper way to see the Bali Starling is within in Mimpi Menjangan Resort, however you will need to be a day guest of the resort to gain limited entry (best method is to purchase rather expensive refreshments at the Bali Tower, which is a great place to spot canopy birds). Alternatively you can choose to be a staying guest at the resort (cheapest is the Mangrove Gazebo at about USD60 per night) to get unlimited access within the compounds of the resort. The resort is one of the best places to find and photograph the Green Junglefowl, the Black-winged Starling, and for the mammal photographers, the Timorese and Barking Deers. Spotted Kestrel can be found in the resort but very difficult to photograph.

Hiring a ranger guide has advantages too, as he is able to bring you to sites to find the Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Banded Pitta, Small Minivet, White-shouldered Triller, Island Collared Dove, Racket-tailed Treepie, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Black Eagle and Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker. The Lemon-bellied White-eyes and Streaked Weavers are also common at Teluk Brumbun. Some of these species mentioned above are more readily seen during the dry season (July to September).

Gilimanuk

As accommodation options within the National Park are limited and expensive, a cheaper alternative would be to stay in the many cheap guesthouses in Gilimanuk. The grasslands adjacent to the beach are good for Striated Grassbirds and Long-tailed Shrikes. The National Park Headquarters at Cekik also offers reasonably priced accommodations, and the gardens within the Park HQ have Lineated Barbets, Coppersmith Barbets, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon and Green Imperial Pigeon. There is also a large fig tree at the Military Monument just south of the National Park HQ, and when this tree is fruiting, many Bulbuls, Barbets and Pigeons will be seen. One last place recommended for bird watching is Gimimanuk Bay, but I did not have the opportunity to visit this location.

Beyond Bali

The eastern coast of Java and the western coast of Bali is only about 2 km apart, and frequent ferry connections between Gilimanuk and Ketapang (Java) makes a very viable option to visiting the eastern parks of Java. Baluran National Park is one of the best places in Indonesia for wildlife photography, and is one of the most accessible places on Java to find the . Unfortunately I have not visited Baluran National Park myself and hence unable to comment more on this location.

Travel Notes

As Bali sees a large number of visitors, the tourism infrastructure of Bali is very good. There are numerous budget car rental companies throughout Kuta, and competition results in very cheap and negotiable car rentals rates. Legally one requires an International Driver’s License to drive in Bali. Although the roads of Kuta are very small and congested, most roads throughout the island are quite well maintained. Traffic can be heavy on the major roads and urban regions, but traffic thins out significantly in the more rural parts of the island. Accommodation options are many (except for Bali Barat National Park) and cater to all budgets.

Article complied by Dr Eric Tan
Mountains & Beyond © February 2010
Sohnjoo@gmail.com

NPX: How long have you been interested in nature photography?

Myron: I guess it all started in Nov 07 when I visited Adelaide and Tasmania with my wife and son. I was fascinated by the wildlife I saw in the wilderness there, especially the male Superb Fairy Wren. It was all downhill after that…

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Myron: The beauty of wildlife and the fascinating lives they lead. Guess observing them kinda makes up for my boring one…kidding!

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Myron: Started off with the basics in “The Better Photo Guide to Digital Photography” by Jim Miotke and beyond that under the tutorage of NPX members such as Adrian Lim, YY and Chris Lee on NPX, both on-line and on the field. Yes, it means that they are responsible for how poor my shots are.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Myron: Adrian’s natural colour, no-flash photography and YY’s sharpness are major influences. In other words, they are majorly responsible for the poor quality of my shots.

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Myron: I usually leave my teleconverters (both 1.4X and 2X) in my dry cabinet as I prefer images taken without them. (Adrian did it first by leaving his 2X to rot in his dry cabinet) I usually bring my Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f4 IS lens, Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch and Canon 580 EXII flash in my bag, although I have chosen not to use the flash recently. (Again, blame Adrian for this)

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why?

Myron: All the colourful, forest birds in South East Asia, particularly the birds of paradise! They are extremely beautiful and not captured often enough! (Did I mentioned that I would be visiting Irian Jaya this year?)

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Myron: Birds-in-flight would be a natural extension of what I am doing currently. It has more action than still birds (Duh!).

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Myron: There are so many – seeing the blue-eared kingfisher early one morning at Lower Peirce, the masked finfoot at Seletar and the Ruddy Kingfisher at the private residence. But the most memorable must be the time at Kaeng Krachan, Thailand. After an hour’s drive up the mountain each day for two days with yielded relatively poor returns, I decided to go up again on the third day without my trip partner who decided he had enough of the place and went birding near the shore (where the rare but dull birds are). I was rewarded with three wonderful lifers – a pair of long-tailed broadbills which posed for me, and sightings of the ratchet-tailed treepie and a pair of silver pheasants.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Myron: Getting people to understand that I am really not interested in going out-of-my-way to photograph a dull bird just because it is “extremely rare” or “rarely sighted”.

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

Like the story on this one (see earlier response on fascinating life of birds)

Like the composition on this rare (and colourful!) bird

Like this one due to what I had to do to get it (see earlier response on most memorable moment to date)

NPX: Thanks for your time!

Myron: My pleasure. I just want to also take the opportunity to thank all the people who make NPX such a great community, characterised by their willingness to share good lobangs and techniques (less so the peer pressure to upgrade whenever a new camera or lens comes up.)

NPX: How long have you been interested nature photography?

Walad: 2 years

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Walad: Wild birds

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Walad:Books and friends.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Walad: There are too many of them to mention in this interview.

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Walad: Dry cabinet:
EOS 50D body with battery grip, EOS 5D body with battery grip, EF 17-40mm F/4 wide-angle lens, EF 50mm F/1.4 standard lens / EF 35-70mm F/3.5-4.5 standard zoom lens, EF 70-200mm F/4 IS lens, EF 400mm ‘L’ lens, Speedlight EX580II, Nikon D80 kit with battery grip, ED 70-300mm lens, Speedlight SB-800, Sony A100 kit, HVL F56AM Flash, 2 videocams, compact digicams, UV filters, hard disk andaccessories.

Items in my bag during birding as follows:
EOS 50D body with battery grip, EOS 5D body with battery grip, EF 17-40mm F/4 wide-angle lens, EF 70-200mm F/4 IS lens, EF 400mm ‘L’ lens, Speedlight EX580II, Flash xtender, CP-E4 battery pack, flash bracket, many spare batteries, raincoat, garbage bag, spare memory cards, VP8860 storage viewer, lens cleaning paper, blower, cleaning cloth, fruit and sandswiches.

NPX: Which is your favorite bird species and why?

Walad: The Whitehead’s Trogon. I was told that this bird is a star of Mount Kinabalu and understand that it’s not easy to see and difficult to shoot. I was fortunate to have seen this bird and captured it on my sensor

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Walad: I would love to explore more on insects/butterflies macro and wild animals to be able to gain more experiencein photography.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Walad: Trip to Bukit Tinggi in Pahang Malaysia in early March 09. Happened to be my birthday on 2nd March. I was excited as I managed to capture several mountain birds. Thanks to Sharkspin, GSSoh and the rest of NPX members who organized the trip. It was a beautiful moment andexperienced that I had during my birthday coincidentally.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Walad: I wish i have enough time to travel all over the world for birds photography unfortunately i’m not able to make it if too far except only within our surrounding regions meaning only nearby countries. this is due to family commitments as well as my career.

NPX: What is the one advice you will give to beginers?

Walad: Be thoughtful of birds and other animals when photographing them, never put their safety into question. Be aware that you could upset their breeding patterns with inappropriate behavior. Avoid photographing nesting birds if possible and be sure not to unduly stress a bird for the sake of a photo. Get to know and understand more about bird’s habitat and its life.

Enjoy your time spent in nature; it helps you understand that we are all partof nature. If you get some great shots, that will be good but if you don’t, you
still had the chance to commune with nature.

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

Walad: Ok!

1) Orange-Headed Thrush_Male

This image is like a birthday gift to me during
my birding at Bukit Tinggi in early March 09.

2) Crested Serpent Eagle

I saw this raptor was perching on the lamp post while driving and on my way for birding early in the morning in Nov-08. It was my first time seen the eagle at very close distance.

3) Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater

This colourful bird was captured at rice field in Sungei Balang Muar. This image is the most sharper and clearer I evercaptured into my sensor.

4) Whitehead’s Trogon

I was happy to have the opportunity to capture this bird into my censor when I was in Mount Kinabalu in Sept-09.

NPX: Thanks for your time!

Walad: Thanks.

We would like to thank you to all the photographers who contributed their excellent photos. We hope to see more contribution from NPX member in the future.

Please show your support by visiting the exhibition

Location: Sentosa Imbiah Lookout
Date: 1 November till 31 December
Opening time: 9am to 6pm
Getting there: Sentosa and use Blue line bus, red line bus or Sentosa express (alight at imbiah station)

Scene Photos

Look at the size of the photos, Joe is pretty tall

NPX: How long have you been interested nature photography?

Strobby: I started nature photography very recently, Dec 2008. Pick up my first DSLR around June 2008. I start shooting event and fashion show. Got quite boring after a while as it is always model coming out on the runway then shoot, shoot, shoot. Then, start to learn and love strobe (that how my nick, strobby come about) and start shooting abstract /still life. Wanted to use strobe on people and went into portrait. But my house CEO got to know I shoot Xiao Mei Mei and I nearly got “shoot” to death by her so this genre of photography went nowhere too .Went into wedding photography but was taxing ,shooting from morning to night ,the hour is too long and cannot fix into my schedule as i got to take care of the kid at home .Was discussing with colleague who is into photography too on what to shot next and he suggested bird photography , saying it is one of the most challenging kind of photography . I say why not and started looking for bird with my 80-200 mm Nikkor with a 2x but the picture quality is not there. Read about NPX Arthur article on Tamron 200-500 mm .After viewing all the great pic of Arthur and Reno, I bought the tammy and start shooting as often as my time permit.

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Strobby: The fresh air early in the morning when I go bird hunting. Getting away from the buzz of city life and the adrenaline rush when I see bird that I wanted so much.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Strobby: Mainly through reading from the internet and ask around whenever I face problems. I have met a lot of nice people in NPX that share their experience with me.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Strobby: Being sure a newbie, I am style-less…hehehe. Just shoot and see how to compose when I am back home. But I love work from Mark Chua, Ingo and Adrian whose pic is always very inspiring.

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Strobby: Very basic stuff , D300 body , trusty and al cheapo 50mm 1.8, Tamron 17 -50 mm F2.8 for landsacpe. Old 80-200 mm f2.8 Nikkor for event and portrait. And of course the tammy 200-500mm. Hope to add a 500 prime someday… hehehehe
For birding the D300 with the tammy 200-500, 1.4x, sb 600 flash and always a remote trigger that save me during some low light situation.

NPX: Which is your favorite bird species and why?

Strobby: Don’t really have a specific favorite bird species, being a newbie anything that is a lifer will set me firing away ….hehehe

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Strobby: I started macro some year ago with a canon prosumer G9, but sold it away to get a D80. Maybe I will pick up macro again. Macro world is quite interesting as you got to see detail that you will not be able to see with your naked eye in day to day life.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Strobby: It was when the black backed kingfisher visited MacRitchie Reservoir in Feb 2009 .Due to the tight schedule I have at that time ,was really trill to squeeze out some time to go shoot it , when I reach there, it started to rain very heavily and i have to take shelter . It is a do or die situation as I will not be able to squeeze out time for this guy soon, so i went on location when the rain got smaller. What greeted was not a black backed kingfisher but a buffy fish Owl at eye level around 10 meters away. After some static shot it gives me another bonus and went hunting. No shot of the black backed kingfisher that day but was happy to see my first owl in the wild.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Strobby: There is something in life that you won’t mind it to be longer …I mean focal length (what are you thinking about …hehehe) …with the tammy i am always stuck with 500mm , i rarely put on the 1.4x as this make the camera sound like a donkey…EEEEEE…OOOOOO (searching) a lot ,the bird always look small on my view finder . As i approach it, it took off….%*&#$

NPX: Which is your favorite playground and why?

Strobby: Japanese garden, Chinese Garden and Old Jurong Lake Park. Seem to me there is always new bird to shoot during migration period. Will like to venture out of Singapore, like Panti, KK if I have the chance but since I am not driving very difficult… so those reading this and don’t mind a newbie tacking along , please jio me hor …hehehehe

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

Strobby: Ok!
1) Buffy Fish Owl as state above

2)Short-tailed Babbler
Have a chance to see a Short-tailed Babbler bathing under very low light, love the sparkling water under the flash

3)Large-tailed Nightjar
The moment i see a nightjar is it always flying away from me .somehow i am always scaring it . Was happy to see my first NJ with a good perch

4)Striped Tit-babbler
Common bird but i love the colour combination with the orange on green background

NPX: Thanks for your time!

Strobby: Thanks you for inviting a newbie like me. Hope that more people will join in this genre of photography and have a great time shooting bird and make new friend along the way. Thanks again.

NPX: How long you’ve been involved in photography.

As a casual photographer, I’ve touched camera since my university days in Australia. My brother owned a photo processing shop there and sell cameras on the side. He gave me one of the trade-in camera, it was a Minolta SLR with standard lens. I cant exactly remember which model it was now.. It was my first camera, and I used it to take snapshots of myself and friends throughout my university time. It was kind of trigger happy moments, knowing that film and processing was free of charge for me..

2003 was a big year for digital photography with the launch of mass-market ‘affordable’ Canon 300D. I decided to jump into the bandwagon and got my first DSLR. As a newbie one has to obviously plough through the internet looking for tips and suggestions. I tried my hands on various genres… events, sports, weddings (for friends), landscape and even took a workshop on studio photography.. Right from the start I could tell I wasn’t very comfortable taking photos of people as I fear to intrude into their privacy. From all those genres that I tried initially, I was more inclined towards Sports photography.

NPX: If it was Sports photography that you like, why the switch to nature?

I like Sports photography partly because of 3 reasons. Firstly, I don’t feel the sense of intruding into their privacy because sportsmen and atheletes welcome the attention.. Haha.. Secondly, the fast-paced action and expressions on their face, be it joy or despair was fun to capture. Lastly, with sports the investment into lenses were not as damaging.. I relied on Sigma 70-200 and 120-300 on sports.

So I started taking taking football, rugby, polo, cycling, golf etc which I enjoyed. But there’s always a truth in the old saying don’t mix pleasure with business. I started freelancing on sports and shot for Singapore Polo Club. That is when the deadline pressure starts coming in and when it becomes a chore instead of a hobby, things are always less pleasurable.. Haha..

But in Sports I did get a lucky break. With pure luck I was able to get trackside access to shoot MotoGP and paddock access for Formula 1 at Sepang. That remains my most memorable moment from the early days..

So to shoot F1 at Sepang I got the Sigma 120-300 from Wkcheah. He casually mentioned with this lens you can actually start shooting birds.. Well, as fate would have it once I started on it, I never looked back. Hahaha..

NPX: So that’s how you got hooked on nature photography.. Tell us more..

Well starting on bird photography aint bed of roses. I experienced all the difficulties that newcomers faced. How and where to find the birds? Back in those days, information wasn’t really forthcoming as one has to be on the circle of trust to enjoy the up to date info and sightings info are kept confidential.. So it was kind of frustrating.

I am always for the idea of sharing, be it nestings or rare birds. I am happy when I see my fellow bird photographers happy and get their shots. So it was a bit disheartening at the beginning. Afterwards I can understand that things happen for a reason. So I just accepted that fact and be at peace with the politics surrounding bird photography. I take bird photography in Singapore as a platform for me to hone my skills and most importantly make friends. These would be the friends that I can count for company when I go on overseas trips. Hehe..

The challenging nature and unpredictability of nature photography is what appeals to me so much. A nature photographer does not have the luxury of a studio setup where lighting and subject are within one’s control. To make a decent photo I have to pray that all the right elements work in my favour. End of the day things doesn’t always go my way and I just have to accept it as part and parcel of it.

NPX: Where do you learn your techniques?

I obtained my Masters in Action Photography from Yale and PhD in Bird Photography from Cambridge. Nah, kidding..
Just like most people here, we all learn from the net and sharing thru the forums.. Tips and tricks here and there.

NPX:Who inspires and influences your style?

After knowing many of the fellow forum members at NPX, I get to understand their unique style and preferences. They are all a source of inspiration to me in their own way. Adrian (wmw998) , Mark Chua, Mountainman are a handful of those that produces photos with stunning details and sharpness that constantly blow me away.. I look up to Jz and Hilary Hoe for their action shots and ability to capture shots I never think possible. I admire Ingo and Ender for going all corners in pursuit of rare birds. I love the artistic flair of Roger Deng. While on trips I always enjoy the company of Eric Pooi, Starrynight and the late Dr. Remo

You’ve tried macro and bird photography.. How different are those two?

In short, macro photography is back-breaking and bird photography bank-breaking!.

NPX:Which one genre of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future and why?

I always like to get my hands on underwater photography. The world down there is beautiful and colourful..
But before I start doing that, I have to take swimming lessons first hahaha..

NPX:Pls share with us the stuff you have in your camera bag

I’ve used Minolta, Nikon, Sigma and Canon so I don’t really have any brand affinity so long the equipment can do the job.
For birds and wildlife, I use Canon 600mm and Canon 300mm couple with 1DMk3.
For macro, I use Lumix point and shoot.
For overseas trips, I like to carry my gears onboard in 2 bags, Lens Trekker 600mm and mini trekker.

NPX:While pursuing your hobby, which is (are) the most memorable moments (happy, not so happy, scary) to date?

While pursuing the Small Blue Kingfishers in Bali, I went down to the mangrove and got stuck in the mud. I lost my sandals in the process and had to spend the next half or one hour digging myself out of it.

On the way back from Kenya in 2006 the plane we’re in had engine trouble during take-off, bursting all its 8 tyres and caught fire. I still have the phobia of plane taking off to this day.

Didn’t do proper research for my trip to Japan in 2008. I was a few weeks too late… the snow was gone, the cranes have retreated to nest and the Stellar Sea Eagles have gone back to Siberia. I will always remember what my wife said.. As our plane was approaching Kushiro airport, she said ‘ Huh, where are the snow?’ hahhaa that was classic.

And last year while in the Pinnacles Desert in Australia I accidentally locked the key inside the rental car while pursuing the crested pigeon. Hertz promised to send rescue vehicle before dark but it never came. From movies the car windows always seems so easy to smash.. But not the windows on my rental car.. Hahaha..

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favourite shots.

Dusky moorhen at Herdsman Lake, Perth Australia

Brahminy Kite in Langkawi, Malaysia

White-bellied Sea-eagle in Langkawi, malaysia

Snow monkey at Jigokudani Hell Valley, Japan

African Fish Eagle. Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Large-tailed Nightjars, Singapore

Black-naped tern, Singapore

For more of wilis photos, please head over to http://www.wsusanto.com

NPX: How long have you been interested in bird photography?

Jason: I have my first DSLR in 2005, mainly shooting RC Planes. Got hook to birds photography when I got my Sigma 150-500mm (thought birding this way is cheap, I was wrong!) in Feb 2009. Guess the Pitta in SBG and BBKF in Lower Peirce did make an impact. My hunger for sharp detail image came.

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Jason: Shooting birds allowed me relax, especially in a stressful environment we having here. It is also good way to work out on weekends or lunch time. Love the details of birds, especially those colorful birds.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Jason: Learn photo techniques from reading and learning from forum. Also spending a bit of effort to pick up Lightroom2 to enhance the image. Would say friends I shoot with did share with me how to make full use of my equipment, example Chris Li who taught me how to do pre-focusing on my 1DM3. Also Dr Cheah really brought us newbie to another level, understanding birds behavior etc.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Jason: Images of Adrian (wmw998). Like the way he captured the birds, background also nice and clean. However I still learning, how to have that sort of standard in the future.

NPX: Can you tell us more about the items in your bag?

Jason: Basically not much inside, Canon 24-70mm and Canon 600mm F4 IS. Body I have the Canon 1DM3. Some repellent and walkie (very useful in Panti)

NPX: Which is your favorite bird species and why?

Jason: Any birds that is colorful like the kingfisher, sunbirds and bee-eaters.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Jason: I have done Macro before I stepped into birding, maybe I will explore that again. I am fascinated by those insect viewed from macro lens.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Jason: It was my first Panti trip, where Dr WK Cheah played the call of Black-and-yellow Broadbill, the bird flew around us and everyone started shooting. Amazing!

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Jason: I would guess, getting nice birds in Singapore.

NPX: Any advice for beginners?

Jason: For beginners, getting the right equipment from the start is very important. Ask birding friends which equipment is most effective from your budget. Don’t depend to much on review, some are misleading. Example the Canon 400mm F5.6 is a value for money lens which I will get next year for the terns.

NPX: Can you share with us a couple of your favorite images?

Jason: Ok!

Tiger Shrike

Plaintive cuckoo

Common Kingfisher

NPX: How long have you been interested in nature photography?

Calvin: I 1st pick up photography about 20 years ago but was a short lived one because my house was emptied due to a burglary. I only start back about 4 years ago with a Canon 350D. That time my interest was on Macro. During one of the outings, I was poisoned by a friend who bought along a 500mm f4IS. Since then I began my slow journey into bird photography starting off with a 100-400L. I was going nowhere for a year or so as that time we don’t get to see posting of location to shoot like what we get now. I finally got my 500mm and 1Dmk2 and got to know more of the birders here who slowly share technique and location with me.

NPX: What do you like about it in particular?

Calvin: Well, there are a few reasons why I liked Nature Photography. Basically I love nature and to be in the wild to enjoy my hobby is a bonus. I get to de-stress with the sound of birds chirping, sound of water flowing and insects. And also I like the challenge to find birds in the wild.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

Calvin: I pick up photography from books and internet. There are however valuable techniques that can only be learnt in the field with the seniors. Initially I was very “Kan Chiong”. See bird rush forward to shoot but as you all know, the chances are the birds will most probably flew off.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influences your style?

Calvin: I would say Mark’s “Big Big” image influence me the most. However I’m still far from his standard. I always want to get my image big big and sometimes I feel I overdo it. :p

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? What are the items in your bag during birding?

Calvin: I really dont know what exactly are inside my cabinets. I hv my lenses, 500 f4.5, 400f5.6,70-200f2.8IS, 17-40f4,50f1.8 and Tamron 90mm etc. There are 4 bodies, 2 of them (film) have not being used for the last 3 years, my 40D and 1Dmk2. Beside that I have filters.
In my Birding bag, I always have my 500f4.5, 1Dmk2, EX580mk2, CP-E4, 1.4XTC, 25mm tube. Sometimes I squeeze in my 40D and 90mm or 17-40.

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why? What is your most wanted bird now?

Calvin: Aha.. My Favourites are Kingfishers. Why? Because there are beautiful and not easy to shoot. My most wanted bird now is the Banded KF.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Calvin: I would like to explore into landscape. I had been poisoned by some stunning photos on my friends website.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

Calvin: I would say my 1st and only oversea Birding trip to NT with Eric, Willis,Jay, Ender and Remo. Birding trips are the best way to totally rid you mind off work and relax. It may be tiring but very rewarding. I have close to 100 species from that trip.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Calvin: Most of you will know that I dont have many “Visa” to go for shoot. Beside that is $$$ for my dream 600f4IS lens. Before that (when I just started) my biggest challenge was to find birds. One of the most valuable quote from WK to me was “Look for Food and water”. So instead of spoon feeding, This helps me to go out and look for my own birds.

NPX: I see that you have improvised your equipment, can you tell us more about it?

Calvin: Actually its nothing new. I copied the idea from Allagan (hopefully I spell his name correctly) while at Bukit Tinggi. My old 500mm lens collar is not as stable as the newer version and I do get lots of vibration from the mirror slap. Basically I get my machinist friend to custom make a long plate (300mm) to add support to the front of the lense. Therefore I have 2 support point for my lense instead of only 1. Physically it not that nice looking but it serve its purpose. I can physically see less vibration on the setup when I do continuous shots compared to my old plate. The long plate also allows me to mount my flash bracket so it does helps in lowering the CG of the lense and that give me a better control with my Thai version Gimbal head. (planning to upgrade soon)

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favorite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

Calvin: Sure.

The Photos
Blue-eared Kingfisher at Lower Peirce. It appeared right in front of me.

Black-naped Monarch feeding its chick at Panti Forest. One of my 1st nesting photo.

Common Kingfisher pierced a shrimp at Japanese Garden. (my all time favourite photo to date)