More Chestnut-Faced Babblers in Mt. Banahaw

[Ramon Quisumbing]

This morning, Ely Teehankee and I drove ATVs on the horsetrail up Mt. Banahaw to take better photos of the Chestnut-Faced Babblers with our bigger lenses. I was surprised how well Ely handles an ATV even though it was his first time.

Unfortunately, it was drizzly and foggy, so we saw very few birds, and the fog limited our camera range. After 3-4 hours, we had moved to the 3rd site at 3,300 feet above sea level, when a flock of 4-5 CF Babblers, 10-12 Yellowish White-Eyes, and a Citrine Canary Flycatcher arrived to feed on a flowering tree. We had furious shooting for 10 minutes.

Because the CFBs are constantly flitting around and difficult to photograph, I decided to try very fast shutter speeds.
Canon EOS 1-D Mark IV camera, Canon 800 mm lens, tripod with half-gimbal.

Chestnut-Faced Babbler - the gray color of the crown of this bird blends into the gray color of the branch.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/4000 sec.


F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/2500 sec.


F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/2500 sec.

In the next 2 photos, this CFB vigorously shakes its head to shake off the rainwater. Its eye membrane closes.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/4000 sec.


F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/4000 sec.

Scenic photo of a male Bicolored Flowerpecker singing high up a tree on a mossy branch.

F/5.6, ISO-2000, 1/200 sec.

A very wet and cold Brown Shrike.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/640 sec.

Late this afternoon, we spotted this very fat and healthy Philippine Cuckoo-Dove (formerly Reddish Cuckoo-Dove) about 50+ meters away below the house.

Canon 1.4x teleconverter, F/8, ISO-2500, 1/250 sec.

[Ely Teehankee]

It was fun and exciting going up the horse trail with the ATV. I understand that it took 16 guys and 3 days to widen the trail to allow the ATV to pass thru. One thing I can say about the people of BK they perform very efficiently. It is amazing how the ATV is capable of going thru the mud and going over the rocks with ease. It is truly deserving of its name, All Terrain Vehicle. It was so much fun. For a while I dreaded the thought of going back empty handed. I am glad that the bird flock came and gave us a thrill photographing them. It will take me at least a week to process all the pictures that I took during this trip. It is fantastic that you were able to freeze the drops of water that the Chestnut-faced Babbler was shaking off his head. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ely. It was fun birding with you, and I appreciate your photo-processing advice.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow! great captures, Ramon! considering the lighting conditions.
A fill in flash would have worked well in this kind of light.

If you are to trek to this place, how long would it take, the locals?

[Bob Kaufman]

Awesome captures, Ramon!

Neon, when you go, may I tag along? ;D

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Neon and Bob.

If you hike up the 1,000 feet elevation from 2,500 to 3,500, it would take you about 30-60 minutes depending on whether the trail is dry or wet. It takes 10-15 minutes by ATV - first gear all the way up and down.

[paulbourdin]

Great pictures Ramon! The Reddish Cuckoo-Dove is now known as the Philippine Cuckoo-Dove, another endemic.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Paul. I will update my posting.

[Ariel Matias]

Another great series from a beautiful place. Well done!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ariel. The next time you're home in the Philippines, come visit BK.

[Mark Itol]

Nice shots in tough lighting, Ramon.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Mark. The 1D Mark IV makes everything much easier.

[mantarey]

Wonderful capture Ramon. Now, we don't need to go to Mt. Polis to capture this beautiful bird.

This is my favorite among them.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Rey. How high up Mt. Polis are the usual birding sites?

[mantarey]

Jan 31, 2012 19:04:29 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Thanks, Rey. How high up Mt. Polis are the usual birding sites?

If I remember correctly, birding sites starts at around 1600 meters elevation.