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Post by Tonji Ramos on Jan 10, 2010 4:49:41 GMT
We just came back from the Mountain Province, we were in Mt Data and Sagada. Over 930+km of driving and many many hours of hiking.  We were able to get at least 10 photo lifers on this trip. This fellow was a prime target. The Mountain Shrike, Lanius validirostris, an uncommon endemic. This is probably the bird that got me really interested in bird photography. Last year we were on Mt. Kitanglad and there was a disagreement between birders as to the identity of a shrike. The disagreement lasted a long time, a few beers worth, and was not settled to each sides satisfaction. I was quiet this whole time but I thought that a photo would have been very definitive. One year later I get the picture of the Mountain Shike on Mt. Data. Cool. Thanks to Tina and Neon for their tips. It took me only 3 minutes to find this bird. Sadly, I never saw another one the whole trip. Its very shy and likes to hide unlike the other Shrikes. Mountain Shrike, Lanius validirostris Canon 5D mk2, Canon 500mm, Canon 1.4x tc, Feisol 3471, Manfrotto 393 ISO 400, 1/250, f 7.1 |
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Post by mantarey on Jan 10, 2010 4:54:26 GMT
Beautiful capture, very strong eye contact under the low lights Tonji. Can't wait to see the other nine.  |
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Post by ppaaoolloo on Jan 10, 2010 5:06:49 GMT
Excellent capture Tonjie. I think it worth the long journey and long walk through the mountain forest. You are making good use of your new support. |
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Post by Tonji Ramos on Jan 10, 2010 5:19:49 GMT
Thanks Rey, that shrike was always hiding in the shadows but the light caught him a bit on this shot. I have to do my other pics soon. I am getting behind. I better finish them so I can go on another trip.
Thanks Pao but this guy was just there....I saw him from afar, put my rig together, then walked maybe 150 feet to this fellow. No long trek. Cool. After I took some shots, called Sylvia then we took a few more. Then we never saw him again.
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Post by tina mallari on Jan 10, 2010 6:26:40 GMT
Wonderful shot Tonj. Dali can't wait to see the next nine Inggit as usual ! |
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jan 10, 2010 6:33:39 GMT
Congrats on the 10 lifers, Tonji.... nice rendition of this endemic shrike!
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Jan 10, 2010 7:00:00 GMT
Wow!! Mountain shrike!! for the two times I went there 2 years in a row, wasn't lucky to even see or hear it....    Beautiful!! love the clean perch and BG - Tonji!! |
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Post by Ivan Sarenas on Jan 10, 2010 7:19:13 GMT
Oooh! Lovely! Its supposed to also occur in Mt. Polis but in my 4 visits, I have only had 2 short fly away views. Congrats Tonji!
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Post by William Lim on Jan 10, 2010 8:08:08 GMT
Beautiful capture, Tonji.
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Post by steve pryor on Jan 10, 2010 8:57:51 GMT
Tonji,
Very nice shot. Certainly no confusion as to the ID. One of the better photos (of not too many) that I have seen.
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Post by Luis (Chito) Limchiu on Jan 10, 2010 10:08:08 GMT
Congratulations Tonji on this nice capture of an elusive endemic.
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 10, 2010 10:23:46 GMT
It does indeed look very much like a shrike that we see, only more beautiful maybe because its rarely seen. The colors are very unique, lavender with orange. You got it with a catch light on the eyes. Beautiful capture. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.
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Post by Edu Lorenzo Jr on Jan 10, 2010 10:25:22 GMT
Wow.. seems like you made the most of what appears to be a once in a lifetime encounter with the Mountain Shrike! I really salute you for being able to take a real great photo in such a moment. The BG and perch is excellent, IQ is topnotch, composition is sweet, all in a few seconds of shots! The feisol is working great!
Congrats Tonji!
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Post by Mark Itol on Jan 10, 2010 13:38:39 GMT
A very good capture, indeed. I am sure the long haul was worth it. Looking forward to see the other nine. |
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Post by Dennis Alfaro on Jan 11, 2010 1:37:19 GMT
Very beautiful capture Tonji, it's worth the trip
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Post by Ralf Nabong on Jan 11, 2010 2:19:06 GMT
Amazing capture Tonji, and congrats on the 10 photo lifers! |
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Post by alainpascua on Jan 11, 2010 3:14:54 GMT
Wow, what a shot! The inclusion of the pine tree trunk/branch and leaves emphasize the location shoot! Congrats, Tonji!
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Post by Tonji Ramos on Jan 11, 2010 4:28:27 GMT
Thanks guys. Bird photography takes so much luck. We were happy just to see this bird. I noticed that the bird would hide deep inside the pine trees. It only perched nicely at the start when it did not see us.
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Jan 11, 2010 4:49:09 GMT
Cooool. So this is how a mountain shrike is like! great capture. Congrats!
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Post by Tonji Ramos on Jan 11, 2010 6:39:04 GMT
Thanks Toto. I looked at every shrike I encountered in the Mountain Province. Ack! Lots of Long-tailed and Brown Shrikes all over the place. Only saw one Mountain Shrike.
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