MALAYSIAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Humans have analyzed spider's webs to understand why it is five times stronger than steel while being 1000 times thinner than a human hair. Each strand is made up of thousands of nano strands to attain this remarkable strength. Spider silk has been likened to the man-made Kevlar which is used to make bullet-proof vests. Some bird species are intelligent enough to utilize this strength in nest building. Locally, in Malaysia, with over 20 years in the field I have observed several species of broadbill utilizing web  strands as well as the Common Iora, that has also been documented previously by a Singapore group. In the Americas; Hummingbirds,  Kinglets, Gnatcatchers and Vireos have also been observed to embrace the same mode of structural engineering. Broadbills in Malaysia are birds of the forest that are not commonly seen during the non-breeding season but build loose pendulous nests near rivers, streams, or forest tracks during the nesting season. In Khao Yai national park in Tha

On a bushy hillside on Penang island is a large religious complex called Kek Lok Si Buddhist temple. It is a major tourist attraction and a target for worshippers of that faith. During Chinese New Year celebrations a colourful bird species adds to the decorations. Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters have adopted the complex during their breeding season. Early in the breeding season pairs of bee-eaters can be observed catching insects and investigating potential nesting holes.  The Kek Lok Si temple complex A tourist attraction after lights are switched on Chinese Lanterns and Bee-eaters There are many silent witnesses to this activity. Being on a hillside extensive retaining walls are required. These consist of a concrete exterior holding back the soil of the hill. Drainage or weep holes are necessary to drain the soil and these are lined up in a regular pattern. Most of the drainage holes which are dry, are lined with a PVC pipe, which is about a metre in length ending in the dirt interior. Th