Post by Neon Rosell II on Apr 20, 2009 15:13:39 GMT
Been planning on a birding trip to Baler via the scenic Sierra Madre route (Bongabon-Baler Highway) for sometime now. Last Sunday, April 19, 2009, when my wife Aphine's schedule allowed us to go on this trip on a "spur of the moment" plan, we went for it, not knowing the way and the condition of the road. (Profjerry actually provided us with directions but due to the excitement did not bother to check it again, sorry Prof, until we arrived at Baler). ;D
We've been rewarded with several discoveries and finally had a photograph of a flying Rufous Hornbill plus heard the call too and the elusive Bleeding Heart Pigeon....in my mind ;D..sorry cant' share it with you guys
There would be a time when I'll be able to display it for everybody to enjoy..hehehe. Baler anyone?
I don't know why every time it rains when we go on a birding trip? Rain almost always add to the adrenaline hi. With about 70 km of rough roads my adrenaline was pumped up all the way, it was boosted time and again from the birding stops.
With the new route via Pantabangan opened this old road has a tremendous potential for birding as it passes through some pristine forests with very minimal disturbance. At one stop, I flushed the Rufous Hornbill, all the while it was just perched on a tree just behind me. When I heard the sound of massive wing beats behind me I turned around to see the second Hornbill do a fly-by. With the massive 600 on my shoulders, I was just stunned to even attempt at photographing it. Just dropped my jaw and watched it fly against a background of different shades of green and sprinkled with shades of brown and yellow.
Also saw the Bleeding Heart Pigeon crossing the road while we were driving. It was really one of the birds I want to see in the wild. It was probably a different race from the one I normally see before in the petshops and zoos as this one has a kind of generally pinkish color with a light purplish-pink shine behind it's nape and neck. Not the dark gray winged described and drawn in the KG.
Most of the birds are probably breeding or about to breed as we saw several species nesting or collecting nesting materials.
I would say this is the place where you will get to photograph forest species when they cross the road or perch along the road edges to get some sun. Road traffic is at a minimum so there are lots of quiet times in between motorcycles, vans and trucks.
The highlight of this trip was right at the very start and I must say ended with a bang as well. With this type of sortie you won't feel tired until you are back home... ;D
If possible I would bird this place a kilometer a day...hahahaha ;D
Armed with a 5DM2, I was also able to shoot HDV whenever the bird allowed me enough time to set the camera to video mode.
Too tired...will update this thread tomorrow.
Here's one from this AM's birding....
Philippine Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia tenuirostris) - Diteki, Baler, Aurora April 20, 2009
5DM2 + 600 mm L f4 + 1.4x Sigma TC, f5.6, 1/40 sec, ISO 800, Tripod-Gimbal support, TV priority, Raw capture
and Rey, you're not the only one anymore..hehehehe
We've been rewarded with several discoveries and finally had a photograph of a flying Rufous Hornbill plus heard the call too and the elusive Bleeding Heart Pigeon....in my mind ;D..sorry cant' share it with you guys
There would be a time when I'll be able to display it for everybody to enjoy..hehehe. Baler anyone? I don't know why every time it rains when we go on a birding trip? Rain almost always add to the adrenaline hi. With about 70 km of rough roads my adrenaline was pumped up all the way, it was boosted time and again from the birding stops.
With the new route via Pantabangan opened this old road has a tremendous potential for birding as it passes through some pristine forests with very minimal disturbance. At one stop, I flushed the Rufous Hornbill, all the while it was just perched on a tree just behind me. When I heard the sound of massive wing beats behind me I turned around to see the second Hornbill do a fly-by. With the massive 600 on my shoulders, I was just stunned to even attempt at photographing it. Just dropped my jaw and watched it fly against a background of different shades of green and sprinkled with shades of brown and yellow.
Also saw the Bleeding Heart Pigeon crossing the road while we were driving. It was really one of the birds I want to see in the wild. It was probably a different race from the one I normally see before in the petshops and zoos as this one has a kind of generally pinkish color with a light purplish-pink shine behind it's nape and neck. Not the dark gray winged described and drawn in the KG.
Most of the birds are probably breeding or about to breed as we saw several species nesting or collecting nesting materials.
I would say this is the place where you will get to photograph forest species when they cross the road or perch along the road edges to get some sun. Road traffic is at a minimum so there are lots of quiet times in between motorcycles, vans and trucks.
The highlight of this trip was right at the very start and I must say ended with a bang as well. With this type of sortie you won't feel tired until you are back home... ;D
If possible I would bird this place a kilometer a day...hahahaha ;D
Armed with a 5DM2, I was also able to shoot HDV whenever the bird allowed me enough time to set the camera to video mode.
Too tired...will update this thread tomorrow.
Here's one from this AM's birding....
Philippine Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia tenuirostris) - Diteki, Baler, Aurora April 20, 2009
5DM2 + 600 mm L f4 + 1.4x Sigma TC, f5.6, 1/40 sec, ISO 800, Tripod-Gimbal support, TV priority, Raw capture
and Rey, you're not the only one anymore..hehehehe
. If I had the 600 with me all that I would have taken were its eyes. 
One of the moments I didn't have it at arms length. 
