Bornean Bristlehead

One of the rarest endemic found only in Borneo. I have never missed these legendary bird with clients and on my recent tours with Paul at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley, saw few of them right on top on some of the tallest rainforest trees in the world.

When I pointed my Swarovski STX 95 scope, Paul said why not we take some videos these time? Considering the distance around 100m ++, I did not expect the result would be great etc because it was on maximum zoom at 70x! Then once I viewed through my Mac, quite nice!

Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 at 70x = 5670mm ~ All Rights Reserved ©

Happy birding!



For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


This post is Supported by Sandakan Foto:

Swarovski EL 8x32 Swarovision Binocular Review

8th March 2013

I have been using these binocular since February 2013 from dusk to dawn at different type of habitats in Sabah and Palawan Island. When I first laid my eyes on it, I could not believe what I was seeing. The contrast, sharpness and wide Field of View (FOV) is unbelievable.

 

I preferred 8x32 binocular because I am addicted with wide Field of View!

I had tried few time the predecessor Swarovski 8x32 EL against my Nikon 8x32 SE and HG L with my previous clients and I did not get the Wow feeling. But the new Swarovision EL 8x32 is totally a different game for the 8x32 range. I compared it with the Nikon 8x32 SE porro for few days, which many were praising for its 3D effect and excellent wide FOV in Birdforum, the Swarovision wins in:

• Much wider FOV and I did not get the tight view compared with the Nikon 8x32 SE
• Better colour rendition and contrast
• Well balance ergonomic and weight distribution
• Eyecup is the best I have used so far. You can unscrewed the eyecups to clean the eyepiece lens too
• Genius strap system allowing for fast adjustment without removing the strap from the binocular

As I was used with fast focusing by Nikon, it takes me a while to get adjusted with Swarovski's focusing system. It is a bit slow than Nikon. Plus the rolling ball as reported by other users in Birdforum, it took me only few days to get used with it then after that, it wasn't a problem anymore for my eyes.

Overall, I like these binocular so much! The price is worth the value with 10 years warranty and excellent after sales service by Swarovski as reported in Birdforum.

Honestly, it replaced my beloved 8x32 SE as the main binocular for my birdwatching tours.


For more info, please visit Swarovski Optik website at www.swarovskioptik.com or download this PDF file http://aa.swarovskioptik.com/download/pdf/en_US/EL_Nature.pdf

Discussions at Birdforum:

• By IanF http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=236753
• By binomani http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=235682
• By oetzi http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=235682
• Rolling ball issue http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=246246
• Excellent after sales service http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=277070

I will be using the Swarovski EL 10x42 Swarovision in April onwards and will post my 1st impression at Birdforum.

Thanks to Richard Kramer and Dale Forbes at Swarovski Optik, Austria for the trust and opportunity in using your excellent products.

Happy birding everyone.

*These is based on my usage from the 8th February 2013 until the time of writing.



For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


This post is Supported by Sandakan Foto

Osprey ...

9th - 10th November 2012

Tempasuk paddy field at Kota Belud is considered one of the best place in Sabah to get some of the vagrant from North Asia such as Pacific Black Duck, Asiatic Dowitcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Mallard. When CK Leong found a pair of Coot recently with his clients, I was hoping to get a better pictures, but unfortunately, the distance was far even with my Digiscoping rig.

The Coot was seen mixing together with lots of Common Moorhen and Black-backed Swamphen. Looking through the scope for a while plus the shimmer heat caused dizziness then I decided to call it a day. Last Saturday with the gang, we didn't get to see the Coot but Osprey was entertaining enough for everyone in a warm morning with excellent blue sky !

Taken with Nikon D300s + 300mm 2.8 VR II + TC1.4x + Blackberry Bold 9900

Mt. Kinabalu

With the gang

A pair of Lesser Adjutant

There were hundreds of Wandering Whistling Duck at the paddy field together with Garganey

My best shot of this Osprey ! I need eye contact next time I hope ...

Happy birding !

Birding With The Synders

28th September - 3rd October

Working in Asia provides opportunities for The Synders to visit some of the exotic birding places such as Taiwan and after spending a week in Thailand, Borneo was their next destination. During the trip, it produces some of the finest birds found in my place such as Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Brown-backed Needletail and Whitehead's Trogon.

The Synders both equipped with the latest gadget from Canon !

Weather was good except it was raining heavily on the way back to Sukau Greenview Bed & Breakfast Lodge, Kinabatangan River at one afternoon. All wet ! The trip ended at Mt. Kinabalu.

Images taken with Nikon D300s + 300mm 2.8 VR II

Black & Red Broadbill

Rufous-collared Kingfisher

Converted to Glow in the Dark with CS5 ~ Purple Heron in flight at the river

With the boat man Asi at the river

Sun rise at Kinabatangan River ...

Indigo Flycatcher, my favorite !

Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, one of the endemic at Mt. Kinabalu

From left to right; John, myself, Hal and Kirsten at Kinabalu National Park

 My next posting would be the recent 4th Borneo Bird Festival held at Mt. Kinabalu.

Happy birding folks !