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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 11, 2012 15:29:14 GMT
Early this morning, I went back to the new vantage point overlooking the big orange flowering tree at 3,300 feet above sea level. It was sunny again but not as bright as last weekend, and with occasional showers. I adjusted my ISO's lower this time to avoid burning the colors. After the excitement of seeing the 2 Blue-and-white Flycatchers (a lifer for me) when we first arrived, I then caught some good action over the next 2 hours - Chestnut-Faced Babblers, Colasisis, Buzzing and Pygmy Flowerpeckers, Mountain and Yellowish White-Eyes, Balicassiaos, Philippine Bulbuls, Brown Shrike, etc. Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 800 mm lens, Canon 1.4x teleconverter, tripod with half-gimbal. There were even more Chestnut-Faced Babblers this time, giving me more open looks than ever before.  F/8, ISO-2500, 1/500 sec.  F/8, ISO-500, 1/500 sec. I was pleasantly surprised to get good focus and detail on this CFB in flight, since they are so fast and frisky.  F/8, ISO-800, 1/1250 sec. Pygmy Flowerpecker - male  F/8, ISO-1600, 1/200 sec. Buzzing Flowerpecker  F/8, ISO-800, 1/500 sec.  F/8, ISO-800, 1/1000 sec. Balicassiao - I note that the Balicassiaos higher up Mt. Banahaw are more skittish than those in BK Valley.  F/8, ISO-500, 1/320 sec. Pair of Mountain White-Eyes. Can you find the second one?  F/8, ISO-1250, 1/400 sec. Colasisis "kissing" or grooming each other's chins  F/8, ISO-1250, 1/1000 sec. |
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Post by Mick Harris on Feb 11, 2012 18:24:59 GMT
Another great set ... congrats
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Post by Lawrence Lo on Feb 11, 2012 18:59:43 GMT
Wow really a wonderful place you got there for birding. I love that soft lighting on the Flowerpecker.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 11, 2012 20:14:42 GMT
Thank you, Mick and Lawrence.
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Feb 11, 2012 21:20:58 GMT
Mount Banahaw is only two hours away compared to Banaue which will take you at least 4 times longer. The Chestnut-faced Babbler and the Buzzing Flowerpecker were lifers for me at Banaue. It is good news to know that they are also found in Mount Banahaw. That place where the Orange Flowering Tree is located is worthwhile to stay and wait for the birds to come and the shooting distance is also shorter compared to the Malapapaya tree. I like the 2nd picture of the Buzzing Flowerpecker best of all. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.
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Post by Tirso Paris on Feb 11, 2012 22:51:46 GMT
Really beautiful set!
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Post by Ariel Matias on Feb 11, 2012 23:46:18 GMT
Beautiful set!!! I hope to photograph those colasisis someday!
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Post by Renoir Abrea on Feb 12, 2012 2:28:17 GMT
nice'
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Post by Lydia Robledo on Feb 12, 2012 2:56:00 GMT
Bk Valley's birds have become visibly alive when you became resident, Ramon. A couple of years back, same month, Rey and I were able to see these mixed flocks of birds. LWE, nuthatches, assorted flycatchers, warblers, trushes... in one fruiting balete tree opposite the sampinit garden but no colasisis. Your photo of the pair is just right for the season. Happy Valentines! lyd
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Post by des on Feb 12, 2012 8:45:23 GMT
I have just had a report by Paul Bourdin of an unusual Phylloscopus warbler (Yellow-browed?) in with Mountain Leaf warblers at Mt Banahaw. Did (or can) anyone get any photos?
Des
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Post by Bob Kaufman on Feb 12, 2012 11:13:48 GMT
Wow, what a great set of photos, Ramon! Many of these would have been lifers for me. It's too bad we can't join you at this vantage point. Maybe next time.  |
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 12, 2012 12:28:29 GMT
I have just had a report by Paul Bourdin of an unusual Phylloscopus warbler (Yellow-browed?) in with Mountain Leaf warblers at Mt Banahaw. Did (or can) anyone get any photos? Des Des, I just read Paul Bourdin's blog today about a Yellow-Browed Warbler, a rarity in the Philippines. I knew he and another UK birder went up Mt. Banahaw this morning, but I didn't go with them (I can't hike like they do). I have 4 documentary photos of a warbler that I took last January 8 on my first trip up Mt. Banahaw at 3,500 feet above sea level. I just assumed it was an Arctic Warbler. I will post them now in Bird Identification for you and Paul to identify. |
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 12, 2012 12:32:08 GMT
Thank you for your kind comments, Ely, Tirso, Ariel, Renoir, Lyd and Bob.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 12, 2012 21:22:07 GMT
Here is a close-up of a Chestnut-Faced Babbler. F/8, ISO-800, 1/1250 sec.  |
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Post by Mark Jason Argallon on Feb 14, 2012 8:43:47 GMT
i like the colasisis! are there other shots of the pair?
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 14, 2012 22:10:26 GMT
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Feb 14, 2012 22:25:23 GMT
The Colasisis are beautiful especially with the pair together. It is a rare occasion to be able to see and take two birds in one frame. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 15, 2012 1:03:11 GMT
Thanks, Ely.
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Post by alainpascua on Feb 15, 2012 15:34:45 GMT
Wow, very nice photos, Ramon! I like the pics of the Buzzing, Chestnut-faced and the Colasisi!
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Post by tina mallari on Feb 15, 2012 20:48:44 GMT
I just love those colasisi photos !!! FANTASTIC captures Ramon. You are a blessing to the birds at Mt Banahaw and BK Valley.
I have yet to take decent shots of the chestnut faced babbler. Those birds are so skittish. I hope to be as lucky as you one day and nail the shot once and for all.
Looking forward to more of your captures.
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