Birds of Iwahig, Puerto Princesa

I was happy and contented with the birds that I was able to photograph at the Badjao Seafood Restaurant and was looking forward to see what surprises the Iwahig Penal Colony had in store. The ride from Puerto was more than about 90 minutes and surprisingly the birds were not in the Balsahan area near the river. After a couple of hours waiting and looking around I heard the call of a Pitta. It was exciting to see the bird perched on a branch. I was able to take a few pictures and then it was time to eat as the Tinolang Manok which the caretaker in the area prepared was ready at 10 AM. It was good to have something hot especially when you are hungry. After lunch I decided to leave and try some other place. This was when things started to get interesting.


Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 800mm f5.6L IS USM, Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, Wimberley WH200 head. Manual exposure in available light.



Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida)
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




On my way out of Iwahig, I saw a Stork-billed Kingfisher but it landed far away. I mounted the camera on the tripod and started walking towards the bird. Before I could get to see it, it flew away. This went on several times until I saw it from a distance and took some shots. Its a good thing I did for the bird soon flew away. Bye bye birdie.
Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
1/640 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




1/640 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




This was the consolation price. I heard a lot of noise and went to the tree where the shrieking sunbirds were chasing each other. This is where it was fun even if they kept jumping around.
Plain-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
1/250 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




1/200 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




1/250 sec., f/9, ISO 1600




1/250 sec., f/9, ISO 1600




1/200 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




1/160 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




Adding bonus to the Plain-throated Sunbirds were the Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia). They too were having fun giving me the run. I had fun chasing them with the focusing point of the camera.
1/640, f/8, ISO 1600




1/320, f/8, ISO 1600




It soon became quiet and it was time to move out and go to Irawan Watershed where there were very few birds. But I saw this Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) at a distance and kept on taking pictures until I was less than 20 meters from the bird. All the pictures of the Orioles here were taken full frame and sized to A3.
1/500 sec., f/8 ISO 1600 Shooting distance 14.4 meters.




1/500 sec., f/8 ISO 1600 Shooting distance 15.8 meters.




1/500 sec., f/8 ISO 1600 Shooting distance 15.8 meters.




There being not too many birds to see, I decided to visit the hotel Tina recommended to me. As it was fully booked this time, I was not able to stay there. It was late afternoon and I saw an Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus) on the roof. It was only 8.36 meters away when I took a picture of it. I guess this must be the golden light that Romy loves to shoot in.
1/640 sec., f/8, ISO 1600 Full frame.




Than there was also the Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) at 9.87 meters.
1/125sec., f/8, ISO 1600