Whistling-Ducks and Black Bitterns at Macabebe

[Romy Ocon]

I visited this place over the weekend to attend a village fiesta, and brought my birding gear with me just in case I chance upon something interesting in the adjoining wetlands.

Sure enough, I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of interesting species - two Wandering Whistling-Ducks in molting plumage (first time I saw these in Pampanga), and at least six Black Bitterns in flight (the greatest number I've seen at one time). Light was overcast, so the exposures and backgrounds leave a lot to be desired.


Wandering Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)
1DM2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 475B/3421 support





Black Bittern (Dupetor flavicollis)
1DM2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 475B/3421 support






Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
1DM2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 475B/3421 support






Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
1DM2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 475B/3421 support

[mantarey]

Wow great set of fliers Master. I like the whistling ducks looking somewhere in your direction, perfect timing.

[Ralf Nabong]

It really pays to be always prepared! Nice catch there Sir Romy.

[Armando Somintac]

nice set sir romy.
is that a dragonfly caught by the bee-eater ? nice timing!

[JP Cariño]

black bittern.... i like!

[Luis (Chito) Limchiu]

Macabebe Hmm.. very nice on the whistling Ducks.

[Ding Carpio]

For a just-in-case trip, that was quite a bounty.

He-eh. Macabebe. I like the names of those Pampanga towns. My favorite is Sexmoan.

[Romy Ocon]

May 5, 2008 13:20:09 GMT Ding Carpio said:

For a just-in-case trip, that was quite a bounty.

He-eh. Macabebe. I like the names of those Pampanga towns. My favorite is Sexmoan.

That town is now called an unexciting "Sasmuan". ;D