SABAH FROM ABOVE

WILD LANDSCAPES from BIRD'S EYE VIEW IN SABAH 

Many of us have left footprints on places we visited, in Sabah, Malaysia, in the island of Borneo! where we have seen its beauty with our own naked eyes as we stroll along its streets, sit on its sandy beaches, hike its jungle trails, dive down its lively colourful underwater or look out into its green pastures while the cool breeze dump our faces.

These appeals are accessible as we are stationed on the same ground level and it’s lovely to fathom especially when you are at the right place and at the right time. 

On the other hand, perhaps it has crossed our mind to consider looking at things from  a different viewpoint just like, what might a souring eagle see when it is up there?

Fiery clouds of forest canopy, Danum Valley, Lahad datu

Take a view by helicopter, then we have an idea of how a place looks like from above and many would agree that the sight down there is beauty beyond words. 

When an eagle soar through Sabah’s archipelago, through his eyes he sees stunning view of various shapes and colours…

Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Semporna.

Shangrila Tanjung Aru Resort and  islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park 
off Kota Kinabalu City

Extending out its hand, Berhala Island, Sandakan

In the centre of the blue earth, Selingan Island, Sandakan sprang into life.

Simpang mengayau at the tip of North Borneo, Kudat.

Great height at Maiga island near Semporna

Swamps

Flowing into the wilds of Maliau Basin, Tawau

Meandering Nipah Mangrove scenery of Sandakan

The 25km long sweeping valley of Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, Sandakan

Hidden among the foamy clouds sleeps the vast mountain valleys, of Mount Kinabalu

Take your photography passion into high levels and take amazing shots of Sabah from above.

Shooting Tips:

Reduce vibration and blur in your photos. The factors that influence vibration blur are shutter speed and ISO setting. The easiest way to avoid vibration blur is to use a fast shutter speed. On a full-frame camera 1/500th or 1/750th of a second.

Set the exposure mode to "S" for shutter priority or "Tv" for time-value priority and the select between 500, 640 or 750. The camera's internal meter will determine a lens aperture for correct exposure. Plan to be at least 100 to 300 metres and above the subject in a helicopter.

Equipments used: fisheye lens, 14-24mm, 24-70mm and D3s Nikon

Trips were conducted in association with North Borneo Safari Sdn. Bhd.

Phone: (+60)89 237525 

Email: inquiry@northborneosafari.com

Photo copyright of Cede Prudente and downloading is disallowed without written permission

Birds of Borneo

SOME SPECIAL BIRDS OF BORNEO

Sabah is located on the northern most tip of Borneo and because of the varied habitats contained within its borders, supports one of the most stunning arrays of flora and fauna.  This includes an amazingly rich bird life that is becoming a star attraction for bird watchers from around the world.

Sabah has a remarkable range of habitats from montane forest to peat swamp, lowland rainforest to interior plains, and from the largest floodplain in Malaysia to coastal regions and islands that offer a truly exciting and rewarding experience for bird watchers.

A total of 699 resident and migratory species of birds have been recorded for Borneo, with 54 endemic species. Of major interest is the fact that 33 of these endemic species are found on Sabah’s hill and montane forest. The number of montane species is so significant that Mt Kinabalu, at 4,095m and one of the highest mountains in South East Asia is regarded as a distribution centre for all but one of Borneo’s montane birds.

There are several well-established bird watching destinations in Sabah that are supported by a network of good quality transportation, comfortable accommodation and experienced local bird guides. These destinations are characterized by its unique habitat and bird specialties. Less established sites are often added to the itinerary for the more serious birders who want to take full advantage of Sabah’s birding opportunities.

The best way to start a birding holiday in Sabah is to travel east from the capital Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park and across the central mountain range to Sandakan and the massive Kinabatangan Floodplain. From there, travel south-east to the wildlife and nature reserves of Danum Valley and Tabin Wildlife Reserve before flying back to Kota Kinabalu.

Bornean Green Magpie

Bornean Spiderhunter

Bornean Bristlehead

Whitehead's Trogon

Blue-headed Pitta

Fruithunter

Bornean Falconet

Bornean Ground Cuckoo

White-bellied sea eagle (juvenile)

Wallace's hawk-eagle

Hooded pitta

Bat-hawk hunt

Bornean bristlehead

Greater green leafbird

Argus pheasant

Poster version 2013

Birds Photos and Bird Poster can be purchased at Cede Prudente Photography.

Please email us: info@cedeprudente.com

Printing and courier service charges vary according to sizes.
Recommended poster size: 19in x 28in (48cm x 71cm)

Photo copyright of Cede Prudente and downloading is disallowed without written permission.

"Sepilok Forest" - a new book for 2013!

Sepilok’s renowned Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre has long attracted visitors, not just from Malaysia but from around the world. The establishment of the Rainforest Discovery Centre at the edge of the forest reserve and the construction of its canopy walkways and viewing towers have made Sepilok one of Sabah’s hot spots for bird watching in recent years. A network of trails through the rainforest, a Plant Discovery garden and other facilities attract increasing numbers of visitors, making the Rainforest Discovery Centre one of the prime locations in Malaysia for environmental education as well as for recreation.

In addition to these well known areas, the Sepilok Forest offers many more places of interest, including a Sun Bear Conservation Centre recently set up to protect the world’s smallest bear. Visitors can also explore the intriguing mangroves at the edge of Sandakan Bay, where the upgraded Sepilok Mangrove Discovery Centre offers a new 700-metre boardwalk through the forest. The Sepilok Forest also offers a number of information centres and small museums including the Exhibition Hall at the Rainforest Discovery Centre; the Forest Insect Museum and the Sandakan Herbarium at the Forest Research Centre and a new forest garden due to open in the near future.

This beautifully illustrated book is intended to introduce visitors to the many different aspects of the Sepilok Forest, and to enhance their enjoyment of the wide range of activities. I would like to congratulate the author, Wendy Hutton, and photographer, Cede Prudente, for their fine presentation of the varied and beautiful Sepilok Forest, which the Forestry Department is proud to be playing a vital role in conserving.

Foreword by:

Datuk Sam Mannan

Director

Sabah Forestry Department

Some chapters inside...

Signed books are available for sale at RM 70.00
Please email: info@cedeprudente.com