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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Jan 11, 2010 12:39:54 GMT
We had a wonderful combination family and birding vacation in the Mountain Province. The cool weather and fresh, pine-scented air was glorious! The birds, however were mostly very far away and skittish. We heard firecrackers going off in the mornings, so perhaps the birds were still recovering from New Year's Day. Then again, we also saw two sites where they Sagada folk practice "akik" (trapping birds at night with a net by luring them in with a gas lamp) and we also saw a guy running around the rice paddies going after a Grassbird with a rifle. So, perhaps Sagada isn't the most bird-friendly place. In any case, I was struggling with the 300mm! This was in Sagada, right in front of our hotel Fire-Breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x, tripod f6.3, iso200, 1/800 This was on a dirt road on the way to Lake Danum in Sagada Chestnut-Faced Babbler Stachyris whiteheadi EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x, tripod f6.3, iso1600, 1/160  EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x, tripod f5.6, iso800, 1/320 This was a pleasant surprise! A pair flew into the hotel grounds, calling loudly to each other, and stayed for a bit on a pine tree. White-Bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x, tripod f5.6, iso1600, 1/250 This was on the way down from Sagada, at our pit stop/lunch break in John Hay, Baguio Olive Tree-Pipit Anthus hodgsoni EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +1.4x, handheld f6.3, iso1600, 1/160 Canon 5dMkII Feisol tripod + Manfrotto gimbal |
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Post by Edu Lorenzo Jr on Jan 11, 2010 12:45:30 GMT
I love that Babbler! Glad you had a great time mam! Thank you for sharing the pics and the story.
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Post by Lydia Robledo on Jan 11, 2010 12:47:00 GMT
Finally, what I have been waiting for! I knew Tonji's post was just an appetizer. I love all of them, Syl. Haay, I wish I can realize my dream of living close to the forest soon. telyd
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jan 11, 2010 12:49:50 GMT
Great harvest of montane birds, Sylvia! Love the lighting of the CF Babbler, it shows the field mark very well.
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 11, 2010 12:49:39 GMT
These are really good shots of birds that I have never seen nor heard of. It was worth the long trip to get birds like these. Well done Sylvia. Mabuhay.
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Jan 11, 2010 13:08:10 GMT
Thank you Edu, TeLyd, Ely, and Master Romy! I really enjoyed being in the mountains for a change, nice to bird without sweating!  TeLyd -- I posted pics of a very big moth that we saw in our hotel in Sagada. |
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Jan 11, 2010 13:10:10 GMT
Wow!! How I wish I didn't open the forum today!!  All excellent captures, Sylvia!! love the "punk" hairdo on the WBWP. |
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Post by mantarey on Jan 11, 2010 13:11:11 GMT
Beautiful set Sylvia. Excellent details on the Babbler.
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Jan 11, 2010 13:23:12 GMT
Thanks Neon and Rey! Neon, you really crack me up!  That Babbler really gave us a break. At first it was moving around inside the bush, then it suddenly popped onto the branch and stayed there, barely moving. |
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Post by William Lim on Jan 11, 2010 13:33:42 GMT
Beautiful and bountiful bird captures, Sylvia. Congratulations.
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Post by Lydia Robledo on Jan 11, 2010 13:44:02 GMT
Oh by the way, Syl, I love your compositions. You are truly a wild bird and nature photographer. I like captures that show the natural habitat. There's more life to it. Really, really - makes the shot more beautiful and meaningful. Shall I say, it is a woman's shot that makes your capture different... he, he. telyds. ps. will check on the moth. |
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Post by Mark Itol on Jan 11, 2010 13:45:04 GMT
Great harvest, Sylvia. The babbler is beautiful. Congrats to you and Tonji! More!!! |
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Post by alainpascua on Jan 11, 2010 16:30:52 GMT
Wow, very nice pics, Sylvia! Congrats!
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Post by tina mallari on Jan 11, 2010 17:09:04 GMT
WOW I'd be happy like crazy if I get to get great shots like these whenever I go to Data or Banaue - WOOOOHOOOOO congratulations Sylvia Happy for you guys - what a wonderful harvest !! |
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Post by steve pryor on Jan 11, 2010 17:24:48 GMT
Hi Sylvia,
Nice shots of the Stachyris. However, the scientific binomen is Stachyris whiteheadi!
Stachyris speciosa (sometimes placed in an entirely different genus) is the Flame-templed Babbler.
BTW, good job on the Pipit ID. You got it right.
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Post by Bob Kaufman on Jan 11, 2010 18:48:38 GMT
Excellent photos and a bountiful harvest!
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Post by Dennis Alfaro on Jan 12, 2010 1:30:33 GMT
Excellent set Sylvia! really a harvest |
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Jan 12, 2010 1:51:58 GMT
Hi Sylvia, Nice shots of the Stachyris. However, the scientific binomen is Stachyris whiteheadi! Stachyris speciosa (sometimes placed in an entirely different genus) is the Flame-templed Babbler. ... Thanks a lot for pointing that out Steve! Wooh, I really appreciate your sharp eyes. Thanks a lot to everyone for all the great comments! ;D |
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Jan 14, 2010 8:53:18 GMT
Another great set! I love the babbler most!
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Post by Nilo Arribas Jr. on Jan 14, 2010 14:00:49 GMT
I'm particularly interested in Flowerpeckers and so happy to see your posting of the FBF among other equally good captures. Thanks for sharing your trip's harvest Sylvia. Congrats!!
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