Ruddy Kingfisher, Palawan

[Tonji Ramos]

We were actively looking for kingfishers on our second day in Coron. Luck was with us when a Ruddy Kingfisher decided to drop by and do some hunting. This is a big Kingfisher, smaller than the Stork-billed but still almost twice the size of the Blue-eared Kingfisher.

This bird is a lifer for us. After some pictures from a distance I slowly waded into the water and went nearer the bird. It did not fly away thankfully. I did not fall into the river, double thanks! ;D I set up my tripod and was almost to my knees in the water. My shoes and socks were of course wet for the rest of the day.

We have lots of photos of this bird. It actually moved three times. On the third time we were able to photograph it from the bank of the river. Suddenly a Blue-eared Kingfisher perched right beside it. Haha. What fantastic luck. ;D

Ruddy Kingfisher
Halcyon coromanda
Coron, Palawan


400mm +1.4x tc ; ISO 400; f8; 1/25; tripod Manfrotto Gimbal, manual focus




400mm +1.4x tc; ISO 400; f8; 1/30; tripod Manfrotto Gimbal, manual focus

[mantarey]

Awesome capture Tonjie. The Magnetic Duo really has some strong bird magnets. That's two KF's I wasn't able to see there. Now, I'm totally itching to go back. Seems there are a lot more birds there to photograph.

[Dennis Alfaro]

WOW fantastic shot sir

[Mark Itol]

Very very nice, Tonji. After bagging such a wonderful capture, I'm sure you didn't mind birding for the rest of the day with wet shoes and socks.

[Elvin Sansona]

Fantastic! Beautiful! Wow! Wow! The color is so amazing!

[Romy Ocon]

Amazing bird nicely captured, Tonji!

[Toto Gamboa]

Woooooooooow! Coron is really something! I have been there before as a tourist and just went island hopping. But to do some bird photography there, how does one get there? Any place to stay and are there any bird guides? how are the transports?

[Ely Teehankee]

I don't think I will be wading into the water. Maybe that is why there was a leaf that partially covered the Ruddy Kingfisher when I took the picture. I did not share the picture because I think it was not good enough. I should learn from your experience. Your picture is very good. Thank you for sharing. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.

[Tonji Ramos]

Rey- We also saw the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher but it did not stay for some photos. Too bad we don't have that little bird yet. If you go back in December we should hook up. So much pa to see.

Thanks Vin, Den and Master Romy!

Mark my feet were wrinkled already and soggy after some time so I bought rubber slippers in a sari-sari store. P60.00 only. Small price to pay for a photo. Hehe.

Toto- wow lots of questions. Ok question one: How to get there? Take the Busuanga flight, we took Cebu Pacific ( cost around P2500) it took us 1 hour going there and 45 minutes on the return flight. From Busuanga take a van, P150 per person into Coron town.

Question 2: Place to stay? OK we went around to look at the places to stay for future reference. Coron is a simple place and its not expensive. If I were to choose a place for my next trip I would go to Sea Dive for sure. Why, well all the places cost almost the same. Sea Dive has decent food and its in the center of town. No need to take tricycles to get around. Right across the street is a nice Resto called Bistro Coron. Its the best food in town maybe 150-300 for a meal. Sea Dive is also near a massage place, essential after a long day of birding. Plus they have free coffee all day.

Question 3: Bird guides? Well in our forum Adri is part of a bird guide company. The bird guide we used was just kind of beginning in the birding biz, he was ok not in the league of lets say Tim F. and Nicky etc. But he did bring us to some nice places and it only cost us P800 for a full day of birding P500 for half day, this included the big tricycle we used. If you are the type who can spot birds by yourself then he is good enough. Ray, Tina and Ely have used him. If you want his number PM me and I will give it to you.

Its cheaper if you are two people who go. You can share a room and split the cost. Your guide cost is split in half as well.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! another awesome capture, Tonji!! I'm drooling, I need to get out again!! Tomorrow!! ;D

[Ed Matuod]

Great shot/capture, Tonji! You must be real close on the second one.

[Ronnie Dominguez]

nice captures! But I say... a picture of how you took shots will be more amazing!!!!

[Tonji Ramos]

Neon thanks and have fun birding.

Ed, yes we were a little closer on the second picture. If only I had a 500mm with a 1.4x tc. Oh man.

Ron, haha we were too busy taking pics of birds to take pics of ourselves.

[Toto Gamboa]

Aug 18, 2009 11:03:14 GMT Tonji Ramos said:

Rey- We also saw the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher but it did not stay for some photos. Too bad we don't have that little bird yet. If you go back in December we should hook up. So much pa to see.

Thanks Vin, Den and Master Romy!

Mark my feet were wrinkled already and soggy after some time so I bought rubber slippers in a sari-sari store. P60.00 only. Small price to pay for a photo. Hehe.

Toto- wow lots of questions. Ok question one: How to get there? Take the Busuanga flight, we took Cebu Pacific ( cost around P2500) it took us 1 hour going there and 45 minutes on the return flight. From Busuanga take a van, P150 per person into Coron town.

Question 2: Place to stay? OK we went around to look at the places to stay for future reference. Coron is a simple place and its not expensive. If I were to choose a place for my next trip I would go to Sea Dive for sure. Why, well all the places cost almost the same. Sea Dive has decent food and its in the center of town. No need to take tricycles to get around. Right across the street is a nice Resto called Bistro Coron. Its the best food in town maybe 150-300 for a meal. Sea Dive is also near a massage place, essential after a long day of birding. Plus they have free coffee all day.

Question 3: Bird guides? Well in our forum Adri is part of a bird guide company. The bird guide we used was just kind of beginning in the birding biz, he was ok not in the league of lets say Tim F. and Nicky etc. But he did bring us to some nice places and it only cost us P800 for a full day of birding P500 for half day, this included the big tricycle we used. If you are the type who can spot birds by yourself then he is good enough. Ray, Tina and Ely have used him. If you want his number PM me and I will give it to you.

Its cheaper if you are two people who go. You can share a room and split the cost. Your guide cost is split in half as well.

Wohooooo. Thanks for the info Tonji! Would surely want to go back there as a bird photographer.

[Martin Alvendia]

Aug 18, 2009 2:34:27 GMT Tonji Ramos said:

We were actively looking for kingfishers on our second day in Coron. Luck was with us when a Ruddy Kingfisher decided to drop by and do some hunting. This is a big Kingfisher, smaller than the Stork-billed but still almost twice the size of the Blue-eared Kingfisher.

This bird is a lifer for us. After some pictures from a distance I slowly waded into the water and went nearer the bird. It did not fly away thankfully. I did not fall into the river, double thanks! ;D I set up my tripod and was almost to my knees in the water. My shoes and socks were of course wet for the rest of the day.

We have lots of photos of this bird. It actually moved three times. On the third time we were able to photograph it from the bank of the river. Suddenly a Blue-eared Kingfisher perched right beside it. Haha. What fantastic luck. ;D

Ninja Stalking Skillzz was greatly rewarded with a wonderful capture. Bravo Tonji!

[alainpascua]

Tonji, Sorry for this late note. Congrats for having harvested so many and so nice pictures of birds in Coron. I love your kingfishers! bravo!