tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43049851617368022932024-03-09T16:55:07.941+08:00Up Close with NatureAll about wildlife photography - insects, frogs, lizards, snakes. Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-83535184327897096322020-12-31T18:48:00.001+08:002020-12-31T18:48:21.085+08:00Best of 2020It's that time of the year again, but instead of the usual 100 images, I have only 21 this year! Let's hope 2021 will be much better!(1) Shore Pit Viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus) from Selangor, Malaysia.(2) Juvenile Hagen's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus hageni), with a bonus in-flight mosquito!(3) Shore Pit Viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus) from Selangor, Malaysia.(4) Adult female Wagler's Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-46352669243998353702019-12-26T17:31:00.002+08:002020-12-29T14:11:21.552+08:00Favorite Images of 2019
It is that time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2019. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year. Mostly with a wide angle lens and/or a 60mm macro lens.
Snakes
#1 - Up close with a adult male Sumatra Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Borneo.
#2 Sabah Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) from the Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-38830791557482731452019-01-01T16:00:00.000+08:002019-10-19T09:55:20.880+08:00Favorite Images of 2018It is that time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2018. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year. Mostly with a wide angle lens and/or a 60mm macro lens.
Snakes
#1 Malayan Spinejaw Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi). This is probably the rarest snake in Peninsular Malaysia. The specific ephitet was in honour of Christian Schaefer - the herpetologistKurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-4390878981503493272018-01-01T20:42:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:23:37.287+08:00Favorite Images of 2017It is that time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2017. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year. Mostly taken with the Laowa 15mm.
Snakes
One of the coolest herps from the Nov 2017 Borneo Herp Tour: Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps baluensis). Extremely shy too!
Cute lil Three-banded Bridle Snake (Dryocalamus tristrigatus) from Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-88830315512099410292017-07-30T16:21:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:25:30.351+08:00Borneo Herp Tour #2 - Nov 12th, 2017Come herping with us this Nov 12th, 2017, or Mar 11th, 2018! Spots are limited so don't wait too long! Don't fret if can't make it on either of those dates. There will be more to come! You can also request for a special tour on dates of your choice as long as there are at least three of you.
Our first Borneo Herp Tour in May 2017 went really well and we found many awesome herps Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-64820462158815644592017-01-31T13:15:00.003+08:002019-10-19T10:34:51.284+08:00Borneo Herp Tour, May 1, 2017
Please spread the word that our little eco-travel company is going strong, and we've just added a trip to Borneo. Very exciting!
For more information, please check out http://www.orionherpadventure.com/borneo.html
- May 1, 2017
- 8D/7N Field Herp Adventure
- USD$1,270 (approx RM5,700)
If you are in the USA, feel free to call up this number:
USA+1.248.798.3274 (Troy, Michigan)
Or emailKurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-69151067335242063772017-01-01T13:14:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:35:18.883+08:00Best of 2016
It is the time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2016. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year. However, unlike last year, not many species added to my photo collection. Also, most of the images you see here are taken with my new favorite lens - Laowa 15mm 1:1 wide angle macro.
Snakes
#1 Beautiful Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps), Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-60894084893766742262016-05-21T19:37:00.001+08:002020-09-09T12:28:52.412+08:00Laowa 15mm Wide Angle Macro Lens
Wallace's Flying Frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus)
Laowa 15mm F4 1:1 wide angle macro lens is the first 1:1 wide angle macro lens in the market, and it is still the only wide angle lens in the market that can achieve native life size magnification. A big thank you to Venus Optics for shipping me this lovely lens. I received my Laowa 15mm from Venus Optics back in June, 2015, and have been Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-28235319055969160132016-05-14T18:21:00.001+08:002019-10-19T10:36:28.223+08:00Borneo Herping Trip - Part II
Borneo Herping Trip - Part II - Lupa Masa Rainforest Camp, Poring
After 3 nights at the highland part of Sabah, we moved on to Lupa Masa Rainforest Camp - a lowland forest in Poring, for another 3 nights. First, a little bit about Lupa Masa Camp. Lupa Masa Rainforest Camp is located on the borders of Mt Kinabalu National Park, in primary Borneo jungle. If offers an authentic jungle Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-46387680516931487612016-05-11T22:21:00.001+08:002019-10-19T10:37:11.220+08:00Borneo Herping Trip - Part I
In March 2016, I spent 3 nights herping at a montane forest of Sabah with 3 guests of mine. Because of the extremely dry weather, we didn't find many species of snakes despite looking hard. However, finding a Hypsicalotes kinabaluensis more than made up for all these! More pictures of this stunning lizard later!
If you are interested in joining me on either a herping trip or macro photographyKurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-47478963399276245642016-01-10T20:21:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:38:13.696+08:00UV Flashlights ComparisonSince I have three different UV flashlights, I thought it would be a great idea to do a side by side comparison of all three.
Here are the three UV flashlights I have purchased so far.
1. Inova X5MT-WUVT High Powered Ultraviolet LED Flashlight US$40.45
2. Ubesta 3-in-1 15+1 3xAAA Flashlight US$11.56
3. UltraFire® 3w Ultraviolet LED Flashlight US$7.46
First, I tested them, oneKurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-176247550660414192015-12-31T18:08:00.001+08:002019-10-19T10:38:40.647+08:00Favorite Images from 2015It is the time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2015. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year with many new species added to my collection.
AMPHIBIANS
More amphibians here.
#1 - I think this is possibly the cutest frog face in the world! Malaya Bug-eyed Frog (Theloderma leprosum). Malaysia.
#2 - One of the most awesome frogs I've Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-56756520954415989162015-11-20T18:14:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:39:20.048+08:00DIFFUSING MACRO LITE FLASHES, OR RING FLASHESI have never been a fan of ring flash / ring lite because the light is harsh and diffusion is not easy, but with Stephen's new and easy-to-DIY diffuser, getting good light is no longer an issue. You might want to check out another interesting method of diffusion for macro ring flash here as well.
All text and images are by Stephen Barlow (SteB1)
The aim of this diffuser design was to Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-791082642622791622015-07-17T17:47:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:40:10.986+08:00Fauna of Khao Yai National ParkKhai Yai National Park is about two hours' drive from Bangkok. The main reason we went there, of course, was to look for my favorite lanternflies (Fulgoridae), especially the Pyrops. We managed to find five different species of them during our 5D/4N stay in the national park.
I will be hosting more macro workshops in locations in Thailand and also Borneo in the near future. Limited seats only Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-77118949091160955282015-02-07T22:46:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:40:34.730+08:00Venus 60mm 2:1 macro lens
Venus 60mm F/2.8 Ultra Macro Lens is the world's first 2:1 macro lens with infinity focus.
Yes, 2:1 i.e. 2X magnification. Native 2:1 magnification, all built-in - you don't have to add any accessories like extension tubes, teleconverter or Raynox diopter lens! All without losing the infinity focus too! And since you don't have to add tubes, you won't lose the ability to focus to infinityKurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-62360966951448203852014-12-29T23:40:00.002+08:002019-10-19T10:40:55.349+08:00Favorite Images from 2014It is the time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2014. Lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year with many new species added to my collection. Instead of just 36 favorite images like the past few year, there are 108 favorites this year.
If you would like to see more of any of the species posted here, just click that image and that will take you to my Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-57856727434274747202014-10-17T14:23:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:41:16.092+08:00Lampyrid firefly preying on a giant African snailLampyridae firefly (Lamprigera sp. - ID credit: Michael Geiser, Gene Mesher) attacking and later eating a Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica. ID credit: Tan Siong-Kiat, Marcus Ng) that it killed earlier. Selangor, Malaysia.
I first spotted the firefly because of its glow in the dark. You'll see the time stated above each image
8:36pm
8:36pm
8:36pm. The snail tried to escape!
8:Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-67878224267924353022014-09-19T00:31:00.000+08:002016-11-28T22:13:22.433+08:00Polypedates discantus
Polypedates discantus (Malayan Slender Tree Frog) is a new species described in 2013. This species was previously confused and thought to be Polypedates leucomystax (Four-lined Tree Frog).
Polypedates discantus (Malayan Slender Tree Frog).
In fact, when I look through all my previous shots of Polypedates leucomystax, I found a couple that are like Polypedates discantus. Like this Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-6107827073027044862014-08-24T23:10:00.000+08:002017-09-30T17:52:34.506+08:00Tropical SnakesPlan a herping / macro tour with us. More details here on Orion Herp Adventure Travel. Tours in and around Peninsular Malaysia as well as Borneo are available. Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam too in the near future.
Snakes of Malaysia:
These are all the snakes that I have photographed, mostly from within Peninsula Malaysia. Although far from complete, it should still be good for identification Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-71945083228121930982014-08-23T11:28:00.000+08:002019-10-19T10:51:25.850+08:00Tropical FrogsAmphibians of Malaysia:
Frogs of Malaysia / Amphibians of Malaysia.
Frog Symphony.
White Spotted Tree Frog / Cinnamon Frog (Nyctixalus pictus). Selangor.
White Spotted Tree Frog / Cinnamon Frog (Nyctixalus pictus). Selangor.
White Spotted Tree Frog / Cinnamon Frog (Nyctixalus pictus) amplexus. Selangor.
More bugs (mainly) porn here.
Spiny Wart Frog (Theloderma horridum). Selangor, Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-79523539106972392822014-08-21T15:56:00.000+08:002016-11-28T22:14:12.781+08:00Tropical LizardLizards of Malaysia
Cat Gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus), Selangor.
Cat Gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus), Selangor.
Cat Gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus), Selangor.
Cat Gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus), Selangor.
Cat Gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus), Selangor.
Beautiful Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus elok). Malaysia.
Beautiful Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus elok). Malaysia.
Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-70441193835483745102014-02-07T21:21:00.002+08:002017-07-31T18:35:25.808+08:00Night Herping in Selangor Plan a herping / macro tour with us. More details here on Orion Herp Adventure Travel website.
My second herping trip of the year. January 20th, 2014. It was one of the best herping trips ever! Just look at our haul and I am sure you'll agree.
Note: the color profiles of these images are in AdobeRGB and may appear washed out/pale in certain browsers.
A baby Striped Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-13941397580931493162014-01-23T20:42:00.000+08:002017-07-31T18:34:08.716+08:00First herping trip of 2014Plan a herping / macro tour with us. More details here on Orion Herp Adventure Travel website.
Montane forest, Banjaran Bintag, Perak, Malaysia. Jan 3 to Jan 5, 2014. All images taken with a Canon 40D, Tamron AF 60mm f/2.0 , Canon 270EX II , and DIY Diffuser. Mostly taken at night.
The first herp we found was this little Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus)
The only Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-52854291101746614982013-12-31T21:27:00.000+08:002016-11-28T22:16:18.287+08:002013 Fave Macro Images2013 is coming to an end and as usual, I went through all my 2013 images and came out with this mosaic.
Again, created using Big Huge Labs' Mosaic Maker.
Only a couple of new lantern bug species for 2013, but lots of new reptiles and amphibian images. Definitely looking forward to photographing more snakes in 2014!
800x800 pixel mosaic
Since the bigger mosaic might not work, here's a smallerKurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304985161736802293.post-47339303217577801332013-10-13T11:02:00.008+08:002020-11-18T22:28:14.750+08:00Cockroaches are cool!Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria or Blattodea, of which about 30 species out of 4,500 total are associated with human habitats. About four species are well known as pests. (Source: Wikipedia)
So only 30 species out of 4,500 are associated with human habitats, and out of the 30 species, only 4 of them are pests! Just because of these four pest species, there's really no reason to Kurt (OrionMystery)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00919450325284468227noreply@blogger.com5