Pipistrellus javanicus - Java Pipistrelle

When staying with the inlaws at the Kampung, I heard a lot of scratching in the roof of the porch. At first I thought rats, but all was revealed as the sun went down and the bats took to the air. By the time I had primed my camera, the event was over. An in-flight shot of a bat has to be one of the most difficult challenges, but that is what I wanted.

Next day I was ready, but the bats were not coming out of the same hole, and it was all too fast.

Next day, I had a plan; tripod, select a hole and pre-focus. Still the action was too fast. By now, the locals were calling me ‘Laki-laki kelelawar’, batman. They thought photographing bugs was daft, this one had them giggling.

Next day, before the crack of dawn, I was up for my next attempt. I figured that the bats have to return to roost. I will be able to see them and time my shot. I first tried freehand shooting, but I could see nothing in the poor light through the viewfinder, so had to shoot from the hip. The whole thing is done in a couple of minutes, so you only get to try one idea per day.

Next day, a fresh plan. By now, I had lots of observations in my play book. The bats circle around a few loops. They perform a few practice landings, bailing last split second. When they come in for the landing, they stall just before the hole. This is the best opportunity for a shot. So tripod, pre-focus, remote trigger and armchair.

This was the best I got, and my visit was over, but I will be back.

Location is Ciranjang, West Java, Indonesia. Porch roof.