Digiscoping:DSLR compared with Compact

There was an eight minute difference between taking both shots. I am happy to concede both are poor shots but it is self-evident which one is the best, the upper one. As my guru Tara advised the Nikon p6000 compact will produce a better and sharper image under all circumstances than the Canon EOS Kiss x3 with a 60 mm macro lens. I would hardly describe the test as scientific however. I know what I am doing with the compact when I am digiscoping. I don't know with the Kiss x3. Even if I did I am not sure it would produce a better image. However I will try again and lock the mirror and shoot with a remote and see if I can get better results.

Flickr account

I have set up a Flickr account which can be accessed on this link. Only a few shots at the moment.

A Busy Saturday: Pak Thale/Laem Pak Bia PART 2

A late afternoon stop on our drive south to Chumphon revealed no major surprises, no tattlers or noteworthy flocks of migratory birds. The most significant observation was the arrival of an unphotographed Spot-billed Pelican in the Kings Project at Laem Pak Bia. What a spectacular awe-inspiring bird. It was 6:00pm and I had packed up when it came down and it didn't hang around for long. A fair number of Painted Storks at Pak Thale but no Milky Storks. My wife asked me how we would have reacted two years ago as raw novices had such birds been in our sights: we would have been delirious, I said!

A Busy Saturday: At the Reservoir PART 1

Oriental Skylark

Alauda galgula

นกจาบฝนเสียงสรรรค์

I made it bright and early to Huay Mai Teng Reservoir on Saturday morning. I was hoping for Savanna Nightjars but alas no. Nevertheless there was lots of activity. I rather fancy there were some Richard's Pipits in the scrub but I didn't get enough of a look at them or a shot to say with any certainty. There were definitely Paddyfield Pipit, Oriental Skylark, Indochinese Bushlark, Small and Oriental Pratincoles and all the usual suspects. Lots of photo opportunities especially a couple of courting Oriental Skylarks who obliged for the camera.

Indochinese Bushlark

Mirafra marionae

นกจาบฝนปีกแดง

 Oriental Pratincole

Glareola maldivarum

นกแอ่นทุ่งใหญ่

Small Pratincole

Glareola lactea

นกแอ่นทุ่งเล็ก

 Bright-capped Cisticola

Cisticola exilis

นกยอดข้าวหางแพนห้วแดง

Yellow-vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus goiavier

นกปรอดหน้านวล

There were fleeting shots of a few birds including Yellow-vented Bulbul and Bright-capped Cisticola. An aerial Painted Snipe was just too quick and there was an unidentified little brown job which would have been a new species.....and I hope to get it next time! Add in many Plain Prinias.......a great morning.

A Dragonfly

All photographs taken Huay Mai Teng Reservoir, Ratchaburi, Thailand 30.04.11

Oriental Skylarks: In flagrante delicto!

I had to share this which I stumbled upon this morning at the reservoir. More shots to follow as it was a productive morning but I am heading down to Laem Pak Bia this afternoon so .....watch this space!

Painted Snipe

Just reviewing shots from last week at Huay Mai Teng Reservoir and this one of a pair of Painted Snipe was never published. A female is to the left and if you look closely on the middle far right, after the mound of earth, you can just about make out the male's head. Unfortunately they wouldn't budge so this was the best I could do!

From the Local Rice Paddy

Oriental Reed Warbler

Ashy Woodswallow

Plain Prinia

Photos shot 23.04.11, Ratchaburi, Thailand