White Eared Dove and Whistler

[Lydia Robledo]

While majority were birding in San Juan, I tagged along Felix, Adri and Trinket to Makiling. There are 2 special birds. A White Eared Brown Dove (forever sitting in a branch) and a Whistling Whistler (not Brad Pipito)- Here are my documentation shots. (both lifers for me). Please correct the names if erroneous. I lost my KG.

Canon 20D, 70-300mm with ISO 800 handheld



Full Frame



The weather was sunny-soft when we started. It was very humid. After these rare treats, it started raining and it was a long walk back to Felix' s car- with the mist enveloping our way down (like San Francisco without the chill).
Hungry at 2pm, we feasted on Thai food at Grove, yummy. We stopped by Bonjour at Slex for coffee and to our delight, met up with Prop Jerry and Jenny, Neon and Aphine, Doc Chito and Aires, Sylvia and hubby, Tina and Wency, Patty Adversario --- Ixiiii, we missed you. Sorry we did not pass by your place since it was pouring buckets and it was dark at 5pm already. Have a safe and pleasant trip! We missed the others, too. lyd

[Teddy Regpala]

Nov 10, 2008 16:02:11 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

... with the mist enveloping our way down (like San Francisco without the chill).

sounds like an SF summer to me. ;D

Good doco shot of the white-eared by the way.

Glad you guys are enjoying a bunch.
have fun, and keep it up!

[Romy Ocon]

Nice shots TeLyds.... these make me miss the trails of Makiling!

[Felix Servita]

Ate Lyds nice captures !!! welcome to Yellow Bellied Whistler club !! (hindi ako kasama doon)

[Lydia Robledo]

Thanks Ted, KA Mastah and Felix. Felix, you were the one who spotted the white eared dove. I still would like to believe that you were walking backwards, uphill or you have hidden eyes behind your head, or one that turns like an owl. T'was surely a fun day inspite of the rain and the looooong trek. My leg muscles need good massage. telyd

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! So this was the white eared you were talking about!! Wonderful shots Te Lyds, sharp and well exposed.

[Lydia Robledo]

There's too much noise. Now, I have checked the 70-200L 2.8, like what Bobby said, it is too heavy. I just held the box without the body and he is right, too heavy for a grandma. Now, I am deliberating between the 70-300F4 L IS like yours or the 70-200F4L IS, not 2.8. Meanwhile, I'm getting a 50mm 1.8 as Manny has suggested (so mura) for my other needs -and maybe get a 40D. I need someone to accompany me to Hidalgo.

[April Son]

Nov 11, 2008 13:47:00 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

There's too much noise. Now, I have checked the 70-200L 2.8, like what Bobby said, it is too heavy. I just held the box without the body and he is right, too heavy for a grandma. Now, I am deliberating between the 70-300F4 L IS like yours or the 70-200F4L IS, not 2.8. Meanwhile, I'm getting a 50mm 1.8 as Manny has suggested (so mura) for my other needs -and maybe get a 40D. I need someone to accompany me to Hidalgo.

Telyds, if I could, I would accompany you!!!

[Lydia Robledo]

Tara Ape. That was my territory 25 years ago! I was buying and selling watches - buying flowers to arrange for weddings, buying music books and scores, buying hopia at Villalobos (tama ba), ate ice cream in Magnolia near "under the bridge"-- but no more... scared to go there now and I get this impression that the owners of Henry's and Mayers are like the guys in Hong Kong. You have to buy or else... and that they are too busy to answer your questions or are just ignoring you, esp. if you have not decided what to buy. Thanks for the tips Ape. Now I know what I like. lyd