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Like many new birders that have started the hobby
and also visitors to this country, every one not too sure about the birds life in Malaysia.
Where to start?
I
found a starting point, my back yard!
An understanding on bird life without even having
to leave the house
Having
gone through the list and perhaps acquainted with what you needed to know,
You can start your birding.
I have my own sentiments about this hobby in the
country particularly with the changes that is taking place with the
availability of better digital camera and spending habits on long
lenses.
As
I see it!
Recently, many birders in Malaysia have taken a
hard look at this hobby called "Bird Watching" or "Birding".
What's bugging them? Many new internet users are posting up beautiful
pictures of "hard-to-spot" birds. Well, those birders
following the hobby in the conventional way need not get that worked up. Nothing had changed!
Two reasons! Those going into the field with
cameras are there for a short time only. After getting those birds
they desired, they will leave the field and the bad habits they
brought upon the birds would slowly vanish. The second and next
reason is alarming. With the opening up of numerous spots for
housing and tourism, the original forested are are no longer
conducive as before. Birds move on to better and more remote spots.
The places which were Mecca for birding had all deteriorated. Bird
life is falling each year.
Some 15 years ago I started watching birds. Using
the birds nearer to my house, as tutorial.
Learning how to differentiate the markings between them until I could recognize them
instantly. On rare
occasions, I would
venture
out to meet up with the more experienced hobbyists to see something
"not so common". With very limited knowledge,
we prodded on, spending most of our time in the field and with each
encounter, we were getting to
know the birds better. Birds were readily available and each trip
reassured of some progress.
Today, the new
comers with their cameras wants to outdo one another. There were
marauding gangs who kept each other informed through the internet of
the whereabouts of exciting sightings. Using forums to exhibits
their trophies. They came up with innovative methods of luring birds
out of their hiding with sounds and food.
Such development had startled the traditional
group watching birds in leisure and enjoying their hard earned
skills. The conflict in motive and concept is an endless but
unspoken dispute.
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All these new norms started
with the widespread use of digital cameras are
changing that. The traditional photographers will also moan about
that birding scene. As the years past, high end cameras with greater
possibilities are falling within reach of an average wage workers.
[Or the other way round, these people are pushing beyond their means
to owe a piece of the "state of the art" equipments.] Anyway, it
become quite common to see a few weekenders carrying these so-called heavy artilleries
at the favorite birding spots.
When asked? These new breed of cameras lugging
personals would claim themselves as
"Birders". Not prepared to declare themselves as "Nature
Photographers" yet. |
While the controversies went on for a few years, I have
the chance to look into myself that sensitive question as well.
How
much of a birder am I? A logical development! watching and
recording. No crime about that as long as our action do not infringe
the lifestyle of our subjects. No doubt about it, beside quality,
the number game surfaced too!
With the equipment I am having, there is no way
that I should be going for the perfect picture. I re-examined my
collection of pictures, seek clear direction that I am taking.
Objectively - to sustain my hobby of bird watching. I want that hard
earned collection to mean
something. Why not assemble them is sets. Same species of Birds seen in varying lightings
and poses. The aim well defined, what
would be my strategy when I am in the field in future? How to enhance the
collection? What else I can do more?
One more idea. I could to tap into those occasions
where I encounter some unusual happenings, with birds involved. Write on topics featuring
birds as theme. Document my observations and feelings then. Now I truly do record my experiences with birds rather than just
doing plain talking.
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Seeing a clearer direction about birding now, I was
surprised that with a sudden switch in concept, immediately I see that there are
so much I do not know about birding. Leave the posting in forums and mailing list
alone, I could start my own contributions. As "What I can see". It can start with
equipments, the way birding is done. Then it goes on with birds'
life and lastly about how the public is treating birds.
OK -that is the concept behind the setting up of
this page. A task that is never ending and very satisfying as I can
trace the progress. Lastly, those visiting my pages with broken
links and half written information - please bear by me. |
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