Birds of Pandan Island, Mindoro

[Tonji Ramos]

We just came back from one of the longest birding trips I have done yet. 10 days of birding and exploring with Sylvia, JP and Martin.

First stop was Pandan Island in Mindoro. Its not an easy place to reach being off the western side of Mindoro. We spent a few hours here to explore the island and hopefully get some photos of the Tabon Scrubfowl. I was able to get close but the lighting was challenging. Maybe a 1D mk4 may have made my life easier.

We were lucky to have fantastic views of the Tabon as well as the Common Emerald-Dove.

Common Emerald-Dove


Canon 50D, 500mm, ISO 400, 1/125, f4, tripod


Common Emerald-Dove Immature


Canon 50D, 500mm, ISO 400, 1/40, f4, tripod


Tabon Scrubfowl


Canon 50D, 500mm, 1.4x tc, ISO 250, 1/40, f5.6, tripod


Tabon Scrubfowl


Canon 50D, 500mm, ISO 400, 1/30, f4, tripod

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

These are GIANTS!!!! WOW!

Did you get to see the bleeding heart pigeon sir?

[William Lim]

These are fantastic shots, Tonji.

[Ely Teehankee]

I have never seen those birds. Congratulations. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.

[Tonji Ramos]

Edu- Hi I did not see a bleeding heart this trip. The pictures are big because they are almost full frame shots. It does not happen often that the bird is close enough for a full frame shot, so when it does its a treat. Maybe the birds were running away from Martin so they bumped into me.

Thanks William glad you liked them.

Hi Ely, I am sure you will see these birds sooner than you think.

[Romy Ocon]

OMG.... 10 days of exotic birding? You guys are really elite birdnuts, very nice capture of the Tabon bird!

[Luis (Chito) Limchiu]

The tabon does look a tad prettier on close-up. Well done Tonji!!

[ppaaoolloo]

Wow Tonji! Incredible shots. These are the first time I've seen these birds. I like the Tabon it looks like a prehistoric bird. Well done. 1D4 may have made lighting easier but it wouldn't fill the frame as it is. Maybe a 7D as a middle ground is in your future or a flash with a better beemer?

[Tonji Ramos]

Hi Doc, yup its a strange looking bird. Stranger still were the guys going around looking for them.

Hi Paolo, Just joking about the 1D Mk4. I will try your 7D first , I am still concerned about the noise issue I would prefer a big leap in high ISO performance for my next body. I don't think flash is ideal. I won't get too many second chances once the flash goes off.

[Elvin Sansona]

Wowwowowowowowowwowow! Great shots! The Tabon bird shot is great!

[Toto Gamboa]

Really beautiful shots tonji

[Ronnie Dominguez]

great shots. I didnt know there are giant birds in Mindoro, how close you must have been

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks Elvin, Toto and Ron.

We were super close to the birds. I don't think it was our camo, as we were in regular clothes. May have even been in board shorts. The birds are not hunted here so they are not that wary. Just move slowly and its was easy to get really close.

I should have used my 100-400 as I had it with me. It would have been easier and faster to take the pics. The bigger lens was somewhat of overkill.

[Clemn A. Macasiano Jr.]

Wow ... Birding marathon ! Great harvest. You deserve a 1DmkIV !

[Bob Kaufman]

Wow! Another set of great captures! (note to self: visit Mindoro in the future ;D)

[Ralf Nabong]

Great set Tonji!

First time for me to see the Tabon bird up close!

[tina mallari]

You must have been ecstatic Tonj !!!! Both birds are hard to see in the wild nowadays. You guys have been blessed with such a wonderful assortment of birds Woooo Hooooo !

BRAVO Tonji !!!! Wonderful shots !