Olive-Back Sunbird nesting 2

This nest was built by the previous sunbird in Jan this year. After the 1st fledging of chick in end of Feb, a 2nd pair of sunbirds came to lay egg but the chick died due to unknown reason. In April, another pair of sunbirds came to use the nest again. To my surprised , in early month of may, I saw 2 chicks popping out to feed. After 1 and half weeks of constant and non-stop feeding from both the parents,  the 2 chicks finally fledge this morning!

Here are the compilation video and some of the photos of the nesting.

Photography by Nikon D750 w Sigma 100-400mm. Video by Panasonic FZ1000 mark1

 

Olive-Backed Sunbird nesting

Early Jan 2020, a pair of sunbirds came to my house and started to build a nest. It took 6-7days non-stop effort from the female bird to complete the nest. It took another 4-5days for the laying and incubation of eggs.

After hatching, it took 2weeks of growing before the chick is able to fly away from the nest.  During the 2 weeks, the male and female kept feeding the chick almost non-stop during daylight. The female will sit inside the nest during night time protecting the chick.

Here are some photos of the nesting and the chick has fledged today. A youtube video of the full cycle is as attached (videos and photographs)

Full Cycle of Nesting

Sigma 100-400mm

A shot of Olive-Backed Sunbird with a prey crab spider.

Shot by the brilliant Sigma 100-400mm with D750 Nikon.

AF-S 300mm F4 IF-D

The Nikon 300mm F4 AF Gen1 and Gen2 

This is the 2nd Generation Auto-focus 300mm F4 for Nikon's line-up. This lens replaces my older AF-300mmf4 Screw-mount lens. 

In term of image quality, I cannot tell the differences. But in terms of handling, this newer lens has many advantages. 

There is a much newer 300mf4 PF verison with VR and is smaller in size which is almost twice the price of this one.

 But do note that this 2nd generation 300mmf4 AF-s lens is still in production.

This is a tack sharp lens just like the predessesor. However when it comes to focusing , this newer lens focus real fast and silently due to it's built-in motor in the lens. The retractable bulit in hood on the new lens can be "locked" compared to the 1st gen lens.

I feel this lens is lighter by a fraction compared to the older one.

The min focus of the newer lens is also closer thus i am able to focus to some wildlife which I can approach nearer. Whenever i spot a subject, static or moving, my success rate of locking it and getting pin sharp is much higher.

This lens also works well with my older Tamron 1.4x SP teleconvertor with auto focus remain smooth and well focus.

All in all this lens is an enjoyable lens and worthy upgrade from the previous generation lens. Here are some samples.

Little Pups Series (Otters)

During the months of March & April 2018, I was blessed to have opportunities to follow 2 families of Otters in Singapore. Namely the less famous Siglap Otters and the Pasir Ris/Changi Otters.

I was informed by a few Otters watchers who I knew on the locations. I usually go to these place during the early hours of the day before my work. Armed with a Nikon D7000 or D90 with 300mmF4, I will observe and shoot these otters behaviours.

During this project, there are many sad moments where I witnessed the otter's pups being attacked by wild animals (Monitor Lizards) and recently 2 sub adults otters being killed after being trapped by the fishermen cages.  The Siglap Otters recent 6 newly born pups, only 2 are left now.

Every time I see these pups and otters, my heart melts and wanted to capture their moment. 

The life of the Otters in Singapore is not as rosy as most people thought.  They have to also constantly moved to avoid other families of otters as fights will occur between different families.

With this series, I hope that if you happened to come across a family of otters, do keep a safe distance as they are wildlife (although they may look cute and harmless). Their set of teeth can tear a live fish head with one bite! And learn to share the sea/ water ponds with them.

The followings shots are from my Nikon D7000  and AF-S 300mmf4. I recently replace the d90 and old AF-300mm (screw-mount) with the "newer" tech equipment.

Siglap Otters with 4pups. They began with 6 pups but currently left 2 pups. Due to death and predation. The family here is a small family with 3 adults. Not easy to care for 6 pups. The area they stay are not abundant with fishes too unlike the famous Bishan Family.

Pups learning to swim on their own without the parent's supervision. They slipped and fall is a common sight during this period.

One of the adult otters from Siglap family hunting for fishes in a canal. Fishes are hard to find here.

2 pups under the Threat of the Monitor Lizard. The 3 adults from this Siglap family were outing hunting for fishes when this happened. 

Pasir Ris/Changi Otters-Loving care displayed by the Otters. This is the sweet moment after waiting for them to come out after 2-3 hrs of waiting.

5-weeks old pup

Pups closely protected by parent

Pasir Ris Pup, learning to swim guided by attentive parents

A split second moment captured when the baby pup was about to trip and fall, the mum grap hold of him:-0

A almost 9 weeks old pup- Growing up well


A pup carried by his sister.

4 pups with mum during the early hours of monring. Shot with RAW setting and High ISO

Otter Pups learning to hunt

During the last few mornings, I am lucky to shoot the family of otters around the Marina Bay Reservior.

The adult Otters hunts and bite half of the prey before passing to the young pups. Seeing these co-operative behaviour is really a joy. The pups also learn how to grab the freshly killed prey and swim with it.

With my Nikon 300mmAF-D F4 and D90 DSLR, I am able to document the otters pups hunting behaviour with a better close-up view compared to my XT1 w 55-200mm. The Auto focus of the more than 20 years 300mm still shines and the 10 year old D90 still locks on 90% of the the time. I know mirrorless has come a long way since 2008 but the 2014 XT1 auto still pales against a 2008 D90 DSLR. It is a breeze to shoot with D90. Another advantage of DSLR- The battery for D90 can last like a 1000 shots compared to a 300shots for XT1 battery.