MALAYSIAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

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

The bee-eaters are a group of non-passerine birds in the family Meropidae , containing three genera and twenty-seven species, Most species are found in Africa and Asia, with a few in Southern Europe and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly-coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongate central tail feathers. All have a long down-turned bill and medium to long wings, which may be pointed or round. Male and female plumages are usually similar. Five species are found in Malaysia, with some being migrant breeders. In Penang state the only endemic species, commonly seen, are the Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters ( Merops leschenaulti) . The species is 18-20cm long but it lacks the elongated central tail feathers common to many of its relatives. In this case it may be a distinct advantage. Locally they can be seen hunting in forested area in the morning and evening. Around the beginning of the year they prepare for breeding. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Paired off for breeding at the s