MALAYSIAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Depiction of Red-throated Barbets (female, at rear, is not correctly portrayed)) Barbets are included in the Order Picoformes which is made up of the woodpecker family Picidae plus 8 other families. It includes Puffbirds, Barbets, Toucans, Piculets and Woodpeckers. In general Picoformes are insectivorous but a minority eat mostly fruit. Nearly all Picoformes have parrot-like feet; two toes forward and two back, an arrangement that is advantageous for birds that spend most of their time on tree trunks. Picoformes do not have downy feathers at any stage with true feathers at all stages. All nest in cavities. The related Common Flameback Woodpecker (male) The related Common Flameback Woodpecker (female) Battle of the Picoformes; A Lineated Barbet and a Streak-breasted Woodpecker fight over a nest hole Barbets consist of 83 species, 5 of which are threatened. are tropical birds originally designated in the family Capitodinae (see modification below). Barbets are

Again apologies that this is not Malaysian nature; it is the quiet season here and I usually go to Australia for their spring in October/November....I recommend it. I have done nature photography in various parts of Australia but I have a strong affinity for the Cairns/Atherton Tableland area. I have been for 4 trips there over the last 12 years and each time find some hidden gems. It is suitable for each of three types of nature photography. I have my own definition for the three types of nature photography; 1.     Shooting as many ‘birds on sticks’ as possible 2.     Documentary photography. Where you make a story about one species or one area. 3.     Competition photography; this ranges from club competitions to international salons to BBC wildlife-type high end prestigious events. All these interests are served by the Cairns/Atherton Tableland area….the main advantage of this location is the number of diverse ecosystems in such a short distance..