MALAYSIAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

The following is a photo essay detailing stages in the life-cycle of a male White-throated Kingfisher. When I first moved to Penang I met a pair of White-throated Kingfishers at a special site. This species is relatively common in Asia but they are usually very shy. There were three pairs in the area I was in but only one would let me get anywhere near. For seven seasons the male had three partners and they were all accepting of my presence. I was able to photograph all aspects of their lives; mating, hunting and raising the chicks. This year my kingfishers are not there...which is not surprising since their life expectancy is 6 years. Thank you for accepting me my friend. PORTRAITS   HUNTING     COURTING & MATING NESTING FLEDGING

Air Hitam Dalam is a designated Educational Forest at Sungai Dua on mainland Penang located on the the edge of the Perai River. This park is a rather scruffy remnant of trees and mangroves that punches above its weight in terms of species observed there. One of the reasons for the diversity of species is that it is on a migration route and many interesting species drop in on their North/South travel. The location of Air Hitam Dalam (red spot) A bund, running north/south essentially runs parallel to the river while the rising sun comes through the trees from the east. The bund at Air Hitam Dalam There are resident kingfishers; Collared, White-throated and Stork-billed as well as seasonal Common and Ruddy Kingfishers. There are several groups of monkeys including Long-tailed Macaques and a strange but small group of Dusky Langurs together with a Silvered Langur or two and these two species interbreed. Collared Kingfisher Ruddy Kingfisher