The Olango Experience

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

As many of our members know, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

The experience was thrilling! Walking the sandy flats and witnessing our avian friends as they waded and foraged is an indescribable experience. So many species in one place, mixed and all living harmoniously together.

The highlight is easily my first time to witness the tide coming in. The bubbles, the birds, the sound of the bubbles and the sounds of the birds, the wind, the smell of saltwater, and a bit of a taste of the saltwater, a sense filling experience.

Even without a harvest of good pics, the trip, the stay and the experience was well worth it so all these images are bonuses for me. Almost all species I was able to photograph were photo lifers!

I believe this is a Greenshank? Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1600)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200


Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1600)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

A Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica in breeding plumage

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

I kept this photo of the godwit as it has a unique pose

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

was tempted to straighten out this photo but it was really flying downwards

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

These Knots were a great subject..
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

Olango is where I learned how to tell the difference between a
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

and a Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

This little guy was such fun to follow around.. it would turn to the left, then turn right, turn to me, turn away. As it turned out, its a Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

I was also able to photograph some rarities.. the Chinese Egret, I have already posted. And this one..

An Asiatic Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200

All photos were taken handheld.

I also have photos of Red Knots, Curlew Sandpiper, Whiskered Terns, another kind of Tern (much larger), Cattle Egrets, Grey Tailed Tattlers and others that I am yet to ID.

Is this one a Common Sandpiper?


This is as close as I can get to bringing the experience to you guys. I hope you all enjoy this post.

Thank you for taking the time to view!

[Renoir Abrea]

very very very nice set

[Steve Albano]

truly amazing birds in one place, as if i was there - perhaps next time I'll join you.
thanks for sharing.. .

[mantarey]

Yes Edu, it's very enjoyable. Congrats on a very successful birding trip.

[paulbourdin]

The last picture is another Greenshank, not a Common Sandpiper

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Thank you everyone for the comments. It is something that I think everyone should experience. Mine was a bit unique as I was the only bird phototgrapher there that day. I had the amost 2sq km area all to myself

Paul, thank you for the ID

[Edwin Matias]

Edu,

Thanks for sharing, Great Series, hoping i got a chance to visit Olango.

Regards,
Edwin