The Pratincoles are Back!

[Tirso Paris]

The Oriental Pratincoles (Glareola maldivarum), which also disappeared for a while from the Los Banos agri-fields, are back and in large droves. Last year, they seem to have established a colony within IRRI upland fields. Usec Fred and I had fun observing this weekend some pratincoles trying to catch dragonflies for their meal.

All pics were taken using Canon 7D, EF 100-400mm L IS USM, handheld or car window support, natural light.


A pratincole, non-breeding plumage, beside a kangkong plant with snail eggs.


2011-09-18 09:04,1/640 sec, Aperture priority, F 6.3, ISO 160,400 mm


A pratincole targeting its prey....


2011-09-18 08:27,1/1250 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 400,400 mm


and is quite successful!


2011-09-18 08:28,1/1250 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 400,400 mm


Another one eyes two dragonflies....


2011-09-18 08:29,1/1250 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 400,400 mm


... and lunges for one...


2011-09-18 08:29,1/1250 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 400,400 mm


... but it got away.


2011-09-18 08:29,1/1250 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 320,400 mm


In a crouched position, awaiting for a dragonfly....


2011-09-18 08:48,1/640 sec, Aperture priority, F 6.3, ISO 160,400 mm


.. catches one...


2011-09-18 08:48,1/500 sec, Aperture priority, F 6.3, ISO 125,400 mm


and swallows the whole thing.


2011-09-18 08:48,1/640 sec, Aperture priority, F 6.3, ISO 100,400 mm


A swarm of pratincoles in flight. Sorry, they're not so distinct but they are pratincoles all right.


2011-09-18 09:19,1/500 sec, Aperture priority, F 6.3, ISO 100,120 mm

[fred serrano]

thanks sir! we had real fun and your excitement was really very infectious. excellent set.

[Clemn A. Macasiano Jr.]

Wonderful series ....

[Ely Teehankee]

Amazing shots of the Pratincoles feasting on the dragonflies. Even the dragonflies are in focus with the birds. Very nice documentaries of this bird. Well done Tirso & Mabuhay.

[Ariel Matias]

Impressive shots!!!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Great series on the feeding habits of Pratincoles!

[Lydia Robledo]

Those are fantastic shots, Sir Tirso. I like the one stretching out, and also the flock... photo lifer for me to see so many pranticoles in flight. I should visit Makiling one of these days. Thanks for sharing. lyd

[Mark Itol]

Nice series, Prof. Gotta visit LB soon.

[tina mallari]

Amazing shots Prof. Tirso. These are my type of shots. I want to go there na. Geezz why didn't I see this one earlier. Fantastic set !

[Tirso Paris]

Sept 18, 2011 10:13:01 GMT fred serrano said:

thanks sir! we had real fun and your excitement was really very infectious. excellent set.

Thank you so much Fred! Look forward to more birding sessions with you. I'm learning a lot.

[Tirso Paris]

Sept 18, 2011 11:46:42 GMT Clemn A. Macasiano Jr. said:

Wonderful series ....

Thanks Doc BoyMac. I'm very pleased with the outcome of some shots which turned out to be striking.

[Tirso Paris]

Sept 18, 2011 13:34:44 GMT Ely Teehankee said:

Amazing shots of the Pratincoles feasting on the dragonflies. Even the dragonflies are in focus with the birds. Very nice documentaries of this bird. Well done Tirso & Mabuhay.

Thanks a lot Ely! Some of the shots were just plain lucky. When I was shooting, I was just focusing on the bird, though I know that on a crouched position, it was getting itself ready to catch the dragonfly. I was also amazed that some dragonflies were in focus which made the pictures more interesting.

[Tirso Paris]

Thanks a lot Ramon and Ariel. Pretty soon these birds will move to other areas as the field they were in are now being readied for planting.

[Tirso Paris]

Thank you Mark, Lyds, and Tina. As usual, you are welcome to visit us in Los Banos. Hopefully, it will be easy to find the pratincoles. The buttonquails are still quite sparse but I know a place where Swinhoe's Snipes habitate for now.

[Mick Harris]

A great set of shots.

[Elvin Sansona]

The dragon-fly slayer...very good shots

[Tirso Paris]

Thank you Mick and Elvin.

[ka rene bajit]

hi doc tirso!
what a catch! these are amazing shots...see how they stalk and catch their preys.^_^ do they come regularly every season? really nice.^_^

[Tirso Paris]

Hi Ka Rene, thanks a lot. According to Usec Fred they do come regularly. Yes, it's really interesting how they await and catch their prey. Last May when I saw one for the first time I didn't have an idea how they feed themselves. Turns out that they're like swallows, trying to catch flying insects.

[Tateo Osawa]

It is very exciting to see your photos Tirso. Very nice captures of the Praticoles.