WBCP visits First Gas plant in Sta.Rita

[Tonji Ramos]

First Gas invited WBCP to their plant in Sta. Rita Batangas to check out the place and of course the birds in the property.

We eventually counted 37 species. It was not an easy trip for photography since we were moving too fast so we could count as many species as possible.

Birds were far and flighty and its was very humid. Not the best photo trip at all. But it was fun to hang out with the WBCP members.




Canon 5D Mk2, 100-400mm


Canon 5D Mk2, 100-400mm


Canon 5D Mk2, 100-400mm


Canon 5D Mk2, 500mm,1.4x tc , 1/200, f6.3 ISO 640


Canon 5D Mk2, 500mm,1.4x tc , 1/200, f6.3 ISO 640


Canon 5D Mk2, 500mm,1.4x tc , 1/250, f6.3 ISO 640


Canon 5D Mk2, 500mm,1.4x tc , 1/400, f9 ISO 500


Canon 5D Mk2, 500mm ,1.4x tc, 1/800, f6.3 ISO 250

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

that's a pretty wide range of species sir! looks like they have habitat for grassbirds, waterbirds and the pair of bushchats is always a welcome site, almost guarantees they are nesting.

[Ely Teehankee]

Thats a lot of birds. Its really better than nothing for nowadays. Nice to see the power plant. The best looking picture is the bird without feathers. I like her smile. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.

[Tonji Ramos]

Edu the place had an area with lots of mangrove trees. Super dense. It also had a perimeter of grass. In addition there was an abandoned fish pond just outside the power plant area. The actual birding area within the plant is not big. Its just nice that they are actively trying to create a good habitat for the birds and other animals.

Ely, it was a difficult birding day. The first problem was the high humidity and hot air. My lens had a film of mist because it was hot and humid. The mist on my lens stayed there for 40 min until the sun went up. Arrrgh. Even after I had to keep gently wiping my lens to remove the mist. Then I accidentally set my files to large JPG instead of RAW. I guess you can call all these shots docu shots, a bit of an off day . Well there is always the next trip...

[Ariel Matias]

It takes very good talent to come up with these pictures even during "off-day". I can say that the pictures still look good. Thanks for sharing.

[Toto Gamboa]

Those are excellent shots for an off day Tonji! Great plant shots too!

[Luis (Chito) Limchiu]

Excellent capture on the Male Bushchat, the color of the black feathers is perfect!!. The second pic is a super rare endemic, excellent catch and capture as well Tonji!!

[Mark Itol]

It may not be the best birding trip as you said but you made the most out of it, Tonji.

[ppaaoolloo]

Grreat captures Tonj.

[alainpascua]

Nice pics, Tonji! I like the second one best!

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks for the kind comments. Just wanted to share this unusual birding spot. Can you imagine birding inside a power plant? I must say the place was clean, spotless in fact. The air was clean no soot and no smell, they burn CNG in the plant and provide 25% of the power in Luzon. Lots of birds in the area so I guess the plant like to show that they are being sensitive to the environment. They are regrowing the mangrove area and now have lots of mangrove species there from the initial 3.

But the place is off limits to the public. Super tight security, because it's a key plant. Unusual birding spot. Thanks to First Gas for inviting. Thanks to Mike Lu who invites us to go birding in such a variety of locations.

[Romy Ocon]

Looks like a fun sortie, great night scenics and amazing detail on the bushchats!