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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Oct 28, 2012 7:07:05 GMT
Hi Birders! Tonji and I were at Candaba yesterday. We ended up staying there the whole afternoon up to evening because we got STUCK, really stuck, in the mud. We were headed towards the mayor's house when we drove straight into a very deep mud pit. Tonji tried to get us out with a carabao, pieces of wood, people power, digging .. but it was in vain. Good thing fellow birder Tito Arbatin came to our rescue and towed us out with his 4wd! Woo hoo, whatta guy!! The upside of all this was we got to see the White-shouldered Starlings! They have been reported in Candaba before, but this was our first time to see them there. They were flying around the trees near the mayor's house. Once they perch, they have this uncanny way of hiding behind a branch making it difficult to get a full view. This one was busy preening while I was watching it from between the branches. There was another one on a lower branch, but couldn't get them both in one shot. White-shouldered StarlingSturnus sinensis 1/400, iso2500, f5.6 Canon 5DMark3 + 300 mm 2.8 + 1.4 t.c., handheld |
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Oct 28, 2012 9:31:01 GMT
This is where the 5D Mark III comes in handy with its high ISO capabilities plus the new fast focussing system. The bird came out clear as day without any noise. Well done Sylvia and Mabuhay.
I know Tito and I guess he was your knight in shining armor. What kind of 4 WD did he use. I got stuck last December and warned everyone than. It was not that bad but we had to use the discarded bamboo of the "great wall" to get out of the mud. It happened a couple of times and we just wasted our time. Is it David & Brian that we met at Manila Water, they would like to go there. Do you think 10 days of no rain would make the ground hard enough to pass thru?
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Post by Michael R. Anton on Oct 28, 2012 11:58:52 GMT
There is always an upside, Sylvia. Nice capture!!! When I got stuck at Candaba till almost 12mn, I got bif photos of the Australasian Grass Owl. Tito to the rescue!!! Still waiting for photos of the truck with the carabao.hehe
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Oct 28, 2012 13:13:35 GMT
Thanks Ely and Mike! Ely -- Tito used a Land Cruiser 80 that was set up with the proper tires for going through mud. According to Tonji, we fell into the same hole that Mark W got stuck in the day before. The hole was so deep because they had to dig Mark's car out. Mike -- Still too much water for the owls. The people there said they see the owls when the rice is ripe. Tito was great!! He even brought us dinner!! Drive out of Candaba was a bit scary with all the mud and water. I just closed my eyes na lang.  |
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Post by Clemn A. Macasiano Jr. on Oct 28, 2012 13:30:52 GMT
It's a real hardcore birder and 4wd thing ...  In spite what happen you nailed the starling. You guys made the Celestial pose after your LC was out of the mud ? he he he Great capture Sylvia |
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Oct 28, 2012 14:52:25 GMT
Thanks Boymac! Here's the picture with the carabao, taken from afar with my birding gear! Note: Take with a grain of salt when the locals say the road is "ok" and "passable" YA, RIGHT! Also, Tonji said the carabao must have been tired. He didn't want to pull.  |
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Post by Michael R. Anton on Oct 28, 2012 15:19:49 GMT
I think Tonji's right about the carabao. Nice camo on the truck. So, while Tonji tries to get the truck out, you go birding.haha Nice! ;-)
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Post by tina mallari on Oct 31, 2012 2:20:46 GMT
Great photo of that starling Sylvia !!!! Grabe good nalang Tito came to rescue you guys !!! I'd have to agree with Mike.... ganda talaga that color for the truck.
Looks like that carabao really didn't want to pull you guys out. He looks mataray sa pose ng head niya !! HAhAHahHAha
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Oct 31, 2012 9:39:20 GMT
Thank you Sylvia for the information. The Land Cruiser is 8 cylinders and with special tires. Ang galing. I think I will wait for the mud to dry up and not take the chance of trying to go there. The carabao just could not pull it, that truck is heavy and with extra people at the back. Maybe an elephant would be able to. LOL.
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Post by Bob Kaufman on Nov 1, 2012 2:25:59 GMT
Sometimes good luck compensates for the bad. You got stuck in the mud but got the White-shouldered Starlings in return.
As DocBoyMac said, real hardcore! ;D
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Post by Mark Itol on Nov 1, 2012 15:48:11 GMT
What a reward to compensate for the mishap. Great shot of such a cool bird, Sylvia!
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Nov 2, 2012 8:16:02 GMT
Thank you Tina, Bob, and Mark! Ely -- those people were sitting there to add traction .. but they also added extra weight! I think a small, light 4x4 (like a Suzuki Carry!) might do better. Then again, it might not. And, one more time, THANK YOU TITO FOR RESCUING US! |
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Post by Tateo Osawa on Nov 2, 2012 13:57:35 GMT
Looks like a difficult angle but you got it, Sylvia. Congratulations for taking the photo of this rare bird.
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In spite what happen you nailed the starling. You guys made the Celestial pose after your LC was out of the mud ? he he he
