Oriental Honeybuzzard Mt. Kitanglad

[Tonji Ramos]

We just got in from 5 days of birding on Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon. Phew.

We got to go with Nicky and it was great birding with him. A lot of fun.

This is a Oriental Honeybuzzard was one of many raptors we saw during our stay. This bird flew directly overhead and gave us great views.

ORIENTAL HONEYBUZZARD



Canon 5Dmk2, 100-400mm, 1/1250, f6.3, ISO 800 handheld

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! if this is just the first, I can't wait to see the rest of your and Sylvia's captures from this sortie. Awesome!

[tina mallari]

I can't wait too. Now Tonji does not have any excuse to put off post processing work coz he has a new reliable "buddy" by his side

[des]

Ummm ... are you sure this is a Barred and not an Oriental?

[Ely Teehankee]

I heard that its a long and hard climb to up Mount Kitanglad and not surprise that you used your 100-400mm which did a good job. What a beautiful BIF. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.

[Tonji Ramos]

Neon & Tina, thanks guys. I can't wait to work on my pictures as well. I feel like a kid during Christmas.

Hi Des, I got the initial field ID from Nicky, but maybe I got my notes mixed up. There were lots of raptors that day. My first reaction upon looking at it in the computer was it does looks different from the plate in the book, I actually labeled this as an Oriental when I first posted it here. Neon and I also discussed this over the net. Do you think its an Oriental? Please chime in as Sylvia and I have also been debating about this ID among ourselves.

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks Ely the climb up is hard, long, slippery and muddy. It rains there every single day, especially at the top. Sylvia and I try to keep fit by running a few times a week so it helped a lot.

Regarding gear I had 2 units of 5dmk2, 500mm, 100-400mm, 24-70mm, flash and better beamer, my regular tripod and gimbal. All the stuff fit into the great bag JP sold me.

[mantarey]

Stunning openner Tonji, must be an awesome birding trip.

[Tonji Ramos]

It's an Oriental Honeybuzzard, confirmed by Nicky as well as suggested by Des. I guess I may have mixed up the order of my photos. I suspected an error and it's confirmed.

Rey, it was a great trip. Nice coolweather, new birds, good company, lots of food and beer...I will work on my other pics when I get to my computer later.

[alainpascua]

Wow! What a shot, Tonji! Bravo!

[William Lim]

Great shot, Tonji, I'm awaiting the rest of the raptors.

[Mark Itol]

Beautiful, Tonji. Looking forward to see the other captures.

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks Alain.

Thanks William. This photo was taken in an area were raptors seemed to cross. We saw a lot of Oriental Honeybuzzards and Grey-faced Buzzards cross in this spot. We saw the Philippine Eagle from this vantage point but it was rather far. Franco was able to get good views of the eagle in flight using a spotting scope. I will see if I have any post worthy pictures of other raptors. But this one was my favorite raptor shot.

Thanks Mark.

[JV Noriega]

Almost missed out on this first post from your trip, great shot Tonji! how i wish i had tagged along! Oh well, i'll just drool over your captures for the next couple of days instead!