Some from Tarlac

[Mark Itol]

Sharing some of my captures from a birding trip to Tarlac Eco-Tourism Park with Prof. Jerry, Buboy Francisco, and a couple WBCP members last Sunday. There wasn't as many birds as we expected, and the fields along the road going to the park which according to Prof. Jerry used to be lush greeneries and abundant with water were now dry, and some were even burnt. We were treated though to a bird's eye view of Brahminy Kites and some record-quality shots of a white morph Philippine Coucal.


A warbler in the morning sun as we were hurrying to reach the park...

Clamorous Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)
San Jose, Tarlac, 7 March 2010

EOS 40D, EF 400mm f/5.6 L, ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, manual exposure, car window support, cropped


A female bushchat basking in the El Niño sun...

Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata, female)
Tarlac Eco-Tourism Park, San Jose, Tarlac, 7 March 2010

EOS 40D, EF 400mm f/5.6 L, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure, car window support, cropped


And an attempt at swallows as we were on the way back to the metro...

Striated Swallow (Hirundo striolata)
San Jose, Tarlac, 7 March 2010

EOS 40D, EF 400mm f/5.6 L, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec, manual exposure, handheld

[Ely Teehankee]

From the pictures it looks like it was a hot day. I like the first picture best. Well done Mark. Mabuhay.

[Mark Itol]

Thank you, Ely. Yes it was a very hot birding day.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

hot but productive nonetheless!! All are great shots with really glossy eye contact! Congrats Mark!

[Ariel Matias]

Very nice BIF shot of the swallow! Must have been difficult to take! Congratulations!

[mantarey]

Lovely set Mark, love the flight shot of the Swallow.

[Romy Ocon]

Outstanding detail on all, Mark..... great flight shot of the Swallow!

[Martin Alvendia]

Hope your neck is still fine after that swallow flight shot! Wonderful renditions on all Mark!

[Tonji Ramos]

Great swallow shot!

We did not have any luck in our trip to Tarlac as well. It was not even dry then. Like all birding trips some element of luck is needed I guess.

[Mark Itol]

Thank you Edu, Ariel, Rey, Ka Mastah, Martin, and Tonji!