DENIZENS OF LA MESA ECOPARK

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Two weeks ago, I went to La Mesa EcoPark 4 times in search of the very elusive female Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher. I got a good opportunity to shoot it (lasting less than 15 seconds) only on the 3rd day - which was a lifer for me. ;D

I don't know how it found its way to LMEP. I hope a male also moves there, so they can breed and multiply. Neon Rosell noticed that this RPF follows 2 Mangrove Blue Flycatchers (a female and a juvenile), like a small mixed flock.

Canon 1D Mark IV camera, 800 mm lens, tripod.

Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cinnamomea) - Female.
This is presumably the endemic unirufa race.

F/5.6, ISO-5000, 1/200 second, manual exposure.


F/5.6, ISO-5000, 1/160 second, manual exposure.

I was surprised at the quality of the bird species in LMEP, being in sprawling Quezon City.

Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) - Immature.
This was only my 2nd time to see a PC and my 1st time to see an immature PC.

F/13, ISO-4000, 1/40 second, manual exposure.

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis rufigastra)
This is presumably the endemic blythi race found in Luzon.

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/400 second, manual exposure.

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher - Immature which forages by itself.
This was my 1st time to see an immature MBF.

1.4x extender, F/13, ISO-5000, 1/15 second, manual exposure.

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher - Juvenile which follows and is fed by its mother.

F/10, ISO-8000, 1/50 second, manual exposure.

Ashy Ground-Thrush (Zoothera cinerea)
Endemic found in Luzon and Mindoro.
This AGT hopped up the trail to within 10 meters of me.

F/5.6, ISO-10000, 1/80 second, manual exposure.

Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo (Surniculus velutinus)
This PDC showed up in the tree behind the Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher right after the RPF took off. This was only the 2nd time that I have seen a PDC.

F/5.6, ISO-5000, 1/800 second, manual exposure.

[tina mallari]

So many fantastic photos Ramon !!! Your perseverance obviously paid off. You nailed that rufous paradise flycatcher with shots that any photographer would be proud of. Meron pang plenty bonuses with a bang too. What a truly wonderful set :-) You must have been floating on air with extreme happiness.

[Dennis Alfaro]

quite a harvest of good photos Ramon! esp on the RPF
congrats on the lifer!

[Ely Teehankee]

I have been there twice and not even a glimpse of the RPF, so congratulations are in order. You got some birds too which can be considered as bonus in addition to your main target. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Juan Manuel C. Del Prado]

Beautiful photography, Ramon. By the way, Olive-backed Sunbirds are back near my house. They disappeared when my 'malunggay' tree was blown down. Perhaps, we should plant a malunggay tree in BKV to attract Sunbirds. Just a thought.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Tina, Dennis, Ely and Tito Poch. Yes, I am indeed very happy with my LMEP photos. I never would have thought that such exotics were in the city.

[Tirso Paris]

These are truly magnificent captures Ramon. Congratulations!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Prof. Tirso.

[Lydia Robledo]

We have to create more adjectives... I've ran out. :)lyd

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Lyd!

[Bob Kaufman]

Outstanding captures, Ramon! Your patience paid off.

I missed both Cuckoos the three times I've been there.

[Tateo Osawa]

All very good shot, Ramon. I like the Drongo cuckoo very much.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Bob and Tateo.