Kings at the King's Place and Some Others

[Mark Itol]

Once upon a time, in a faraway land...

Spent the weekend at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos to see the "king" and was delighted to find out that the king's place was also a host to an assortment of avian creatures, who also happen to be "kings" in their respective ways.

Meet the first king.
White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

ISO 200, 1/100s, f/7.1

A colorful flowerpecking resident.
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma)
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

ISO 400, 1/50s, f/7.1

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma), Female
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

ISO 400, 1/60s, f/7.1

The monarchs.
Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), Male
Malagos, Davao, 26 April 2009

ISO 400, 1/30s, f/5.6, Remote Shutter

Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), Female
Malagos, Davao, 26 April 2009

ISO 400, 1/15s, f/5.6, Remote Shutter

Just a guest in the kingdom.
Philippine Bulbul (Ixos philippinus),
Philippine endemic
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

ISO 400, 1/50s, f/5.6

These fellows were busy building their kingdom.
Purple-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma sperata), Male
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

ISO 800 , 1/125s, f/6.3

Purple-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma sperata), Female
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

ISO 800 , 1/100s, f/6.3



The manager of PEC told me there's a king in silver cape (Silvery Kingfisher) and the guards also mentioned sightings of an owl and a dove but I wasn't too lucky to get a visual.

Also went to Samal Island but not for some under-the-sun frolicking in the waters as I didn't have enough time. Just went to see the place (and see some avian friends too).

Zebra Dove (Geopelia sriata)
Samal Island, 26 April 2009

ISO 200, 1/60s, f/7.1

Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis)
Samal Island, 26 April 2009

ISO 200, 1/80s, f/7.1

and the birdnut left happily ever after. ;D

Thank you for viewing.

On all shots:
D40, 70-300 VR, 300mm
Manual Exposure, Ambient Light
Manfrotto Tripod + Ballhead Support

[Toto Gamboa]

nice set mark lovely birds!

[mantarey]

Wow wonderful harvest Mark. They're all beautiful, big congrats to you.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

WOW! All those species in one sortie! COngratulations mark!

[Ed Matuod]

Great series of captures and photos, very well done.
Beautiful, all of them.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! I was there 2 years ago but did not capture this much!! Congratulations Mark!! Awesome captures in all sharp, detailed and well exposed!!

Yes, Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata race juliae

Correction: L. calcostetha is the Copper-throated Sunbird

And the flowerpecker looks like the female of the orange-bellied!!

[Lydia Robledo]

Nice gallery Mark. I like the small birds. Where's the Haring Ibon? telyds

[Ding Carpio]

Fantastic, Mark! How on earth did you manage such a harvest!?? Been that place twice now and never even saw the nest of the monarch. Care to PM me its location? Just in case I trample that way again...

[Romy Ocon]

Beautiful set, Mark..... looks like BNMs are nesting all across our islands!

[Mark Itol]

Thank you, everyone. And thanks to Neon for the ID and the correction. Already updated the post.

@telyds: Still have to process my Haring Ibon captures.

@ding: Will send you a PM later.

[tina mallari]

WOWWWWWWW Mark, what a harvest !!!! Oh so happy for you. And beautiful captures too.
I hope to visit that place one of these days too

Can't wait to see your other captures that are still being processed.

[Mark Itol]

Thank you plain idol. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun shooting our avian friends there.

Here are the remaining captures:

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Malagos, Davao, 25 April 2009

300mm, ISO 200, 1/15s, f/7.1

And of course, the Haring Ibon (in breeding captivity). Such a magnificent bird.

Philippine Eagle/Monkey-eating Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)