Macro world 2008

I was coaxed into macro by red in late 2006. Armed with a reverse ring, I tried shooting macros which was not easy and in fact very challenging. I later realised that the small experience taught me a number of tricks in taking macro shots.

At the moment I am using Nikon D50 coupled with a Nikkor 60mm micro for taking macro shots. People asked me why I chose a short lens? The answer is that its light, less cumbersome and add versatile when space is limited.

A frog at Sungai Chelagi.

A ant at Taman Teruntum

A dragonfly at Bukit Cherakah

An assassin insect at Bukit Pelindung

Flies mating at Taman Teruntum

A flower at Bukit Pelindung

A flower at Taman Teruntum

A jumping spider of Taman Teruntum

A spider of Cherating village

A trapdoor spider of Pahang

Another trapdoor spider of Pahang

A tarantula of Bentong

A tarantula of Selangor

A tarantula of Paka with its fangs on it's prey

Macro enthusiasists at a Selangor outing recently

Macro apprentices; watch and learn


Boogey and Red surveying the area. Just look at the new 'Kata' backpack!


Maman focusing on the acquired target with his S1.

Oily experience

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Petroleum Plant at Kerteh

I was assigned to relieve a doctor for a month while 'the supposed permanent' was waiting for her OH examination. However I am still here at Kerteh for the second month.

Fishermen boats at Kuala Kerteh

30 years ago Kerteh was a small quiet kampung of no significance to the nation. It was a small fishing village where the people fish for a living, 'kais pagi makan pagi and kais petang makan petang.' The road leading to the nearest town, Kemaman was narrow, windy and dark. Kemaman itself was a border town of no significance. It was quiet, slow and more of a kampung with a number of shops and school available. I could still remember going to the quiet Kemaman
in 1978 for a friendly hockey match with Sekolah Menengah Chukai.

Beautiful Beach of Kerteh

Today after the government started drilling oil off shore for and built petroleum processing plants at Kerteh-Paka border, Kerteh started blooming affecting the nearby villages including Paka and Kemasek. Kemaman, Geliga and Chukai is now highly populated, busy and full of activities.

Kemasek Beach

The place I work is at Kerteh Interplant Medical Clinic. This facility is to provide basic medical care and emergency aid to the staff at Kerteh Interplant Petrochemical Complex.

Secluded Kerteh Beach

The work here is different from what I used to do at Kuantan Specialist Hospital. It is more of a general practice with a focus in occupational health. I had to travel daily starting at 10 minutes past 6 in the morning and arriving home 20 minutes to 7 in the evening.

A trapdoor spider nest at Kerteh

I tried to make this new job enjoyable, adapting to the new environment, seeking local entertainment, get to know people and make new friends. I dont really know how long I'll be here.

Sungai Pandan Waterfall revisited

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Sungai Pandan second waterfall

I had looked forward for this trip, for weeks. At last, today, 23rd February, I went jungle trekking with the malaysian Nature Society Pahang Branch to Sungai Pandan waterfall. It had been a while since I had last gone for such activity. The last one was 1 1/2 years ago at Sungai Bekelah Waterfall with Roza and the kids. In fact we went twice that year. With the second trip, we went further up Sungai Bekelah.

Moss on a tree trunk

After the surgery, this is my first jungle trekking thus I was so eager to go despite having recently twisted my right ankle and right knee. For the past few days I had been 'licking' my injuries, actually self 'urut' my painful joints. I frequent the Bukit Pelindung on Sundays even though barely hit a 200 meters mark as I was busy with my Nikon. I chose the stairs to the lift when going up the to floor at work and did some cycling at the physiotherapy unit. Today, I had a knee and ankle support to reduce further injury.

Mushromm on a decaying tree

There were 15 of us and I was the third to arrive at the 7.30 am reporting time. The others arrived less than 10 minutes later, some in car pools.

A huge millipede

After a short briefing and warm up led by En Khalid our guide, we left the meeting point at 8.00 am. We had to climb up and down a few hills before reaching our destination, that is the second waterfall newly discovered( kudos to Pahang tourism of the 22nd century). The journey was not that smooth as there was a huge fallen tree blocking our way. Khaled made a detour and we were greeted by a snake along the path. He then chose to continue by wading the river.

Wadind through the river

Found this tiny frog swimming

A pitcher plant

Along the way we stopped at 3 places namely pitcher plant area, kolam puteri(princess's pool) and the snake stop. The second waterfall was nice with a shallow pool and less steep cliff which was easier to climb. The water was cooler but not as good as Bekelah or Jerangkang falls.

Leaving the river to continue with the climb (its not night)

The trekking took us about 4 1/2 hours to and fro. It was a tiring journey but not regrettable. Alhamdulillah.

Middle part of the fall