Batanes Targets

[mantarey]

These are two of our target birds in Batanes which we managed to capture. We were hoping for the Green Whistling Pigeon
but were not fortunate to get it.

The Chestnut or Brown-eared Bulbul (Ixos amaurotis) is a common resident bird in Batanes but only ranges in the Batanes Islands. It has three endemic races in the Phillipines, this one is the Batanensis which is the biggest among them.

Chestnut-eared Bulbul (Ixos amaurotis), Basco, Batanes, March 27, 2010
EOS 50D + EF500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Manual Exposure, Handheld





This beautiful Flycatcher is categorized by KG as Migrant Breeder because it comes into the country to breed from March to around August. Although they are fairly common it is so hard to get a good capture because it always stays in the dark areas of the forest canopy and its black color makes it harder to find.

Female Japanese Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata) Basco, Batanes, March 27, 2010
500D + EF500, f4.5, 1/80, ISO 1600, Manual Exposure, Handheld



This is Val's beautiful capture of a nesting pair. They had to trek Mt. Iraya's forest areas to get this superb capture.

Breeding Pair of Japanese Paradise-flycatchers (Terpsiphone atrocaudata) Basco, Batanes, March 28, 2010
EOS500D + Sigma 50-500mm, f6.3, 1/80 ISO 1600 Handheld

[Neon Rosell II]

Wooohoo!! Another awesome set Rey!! Capturing these species is really worth the trip to these remote islands.

Thanks for posting Val's capture as well. Great documentation on a nesting pair, must be the first photo ever from our islands.

[Bob Kaufman]

Wooooowwwww! Rey, these are truly outstanding shots!! The bulbul image is so crisp and clean. The paradise-flycatchers are to die for!

[Romy Ocon]

Wowwwww ^100!



Congrats on these rare captures, Rey and Val!

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Incredible!!! Going the extra mile paid off!

Been looking at these at flickr the whole morning.

[Ely Teehankee]

A small bird with a long tail. What a beautiful combination. I like the blue ring eye. Beautiful captures. Well done Rey & Val. Mabuhay.

[mantarey]

Thanks a lot for the kind words Neon, Bob, Mastah Romy, Edu and Ely. The long trip was worth it.

Just to give a glimpse of the beauty of Batanes:

[Toto Gamboa]

Rey's on a roll! more more! Awesome images!

[mantarey]

Thanks a lot Toto.

[Sylvia Ramos]

YIKES REY!! Incredible shots! The Japanese Flycatcher is unbelievably beautiful .. especially for a black bird!
Congrats Rey. And Val too!

[William Lim]

Very beautiful, wonderful and incredible set, Rey.

[Ralf Nabong]

W W! What an incredible set Rey & Val!

These are the shots to die for! Congratulations guys!

[Mark Itol]

Simply beautiful captures, Rey. Your expedition was definitely a success. Congrats to you and Val!

[Lydia Robledo]

Oh how wonderful! You must be very happy, and Val, too, with that pair.
I'm going butterfly-watching, maybe I will find some rare ones, too. ;D telyds, inspired.

[mantarey]

Apr 6, 2010 10:57:55 GMT Sylvia Ramos said:

YIKES REY!! Incredible shots! The Japanese Flycatcher is unbelievably beautiful .. especially for a black bird!
Congrats Rey. And Val too!

Thanks Sylvia. I think it's the most beautiful black bird there is. Imagine a black bird with a crested head, with blue beak and big blue eyerings and with a tail that is about three times as long as it's body.

Thank you too Doc William, BB Bong and Mark.

@telyds,

Thanks a lot Telyd. Yes, you should visit the place sometime. I remember our guide was saying that there's a season where very large butterflies with wings as wide as two palms of man's hand will just be everywhere. We tried to look for one hoping to get a photo for you but I think it's not yet the season, there were a lot of butterflies though some I've never seen before but we didn't have the time to take photos.

[Ariel Matias]

Extremely beautiful bird and beautiful capture at high ISO. Congratulations!

[Tonji Ramos]

What an incredible set. I enjoyed this one a lot! Wow, you are giving me inspiration to go to Batanes! Amazing set Rey.

[mantarey]

Thanks a lot Ariel and Tonji.

You should visit Batanes too Tonji, really a nice place.

[JP Cariño]

taking the first flight out tomorrow hahaha nice set rey

[Dennis Alfaro]

these are excellent pictures Rey. thumbs up!