MALAYSIAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Introduction A number of years ago while staying with my grandparents in Hastings in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand I would walk out along the beach to view the gannets at Cape Kidnappers. It was a long walk and the beach was only accessible at low to mid-tide. I was fascinated by this bird with its ability to crash-dive into the water after fish and its aptitude to show all sorts of displays to the nesting partner. It is a bird of action and character....a great subject for nature photography. I was in Auckland visiting my brother in late November 2018 so I decided to go to the colony at Muriwai, about 45 minutes drive away to get photographs of this beautiful seabird. I was there during a week day and at times had the place to myself although later in the morning there were busloads of tourists arriving who were more after selfies than having an inherent interest in the gannets. The shoot I drove to Muriwai on 27 th November when the colony would be at its peak b

There is a large colony of nesting Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters in the confines of a large Buddhist temple complex on Penang island. The birds have cleverly adapted to a man-made structure and nest in drainage pipes on extensive retaining walls. There could be well over 100 active nests in this relatively predator-free environment giving it a condominium-like appearance. The pipes are about a metre long and the adult birds dig out a nesting chamber in the dirt at the inner end of the pipes where the eggs are laid and the hatchlings are first fed..  Aerial view of the temple complex (terracotta colour) and the extensive surrounding forest. The retaining walls are indicated by the arrows Part of the retaining walls and drainage holes Choosing the condominium After choosing a location there may be the odd altercation with Crested Mynas .......hunting is ongoing ..........and there are gifts for the partner Up to 5 eggs are laid a