ENDEMICS/RESIDENTS OF PUERTO PRINCESA

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Last weekend, I went birding in Puerto Princesa, Palawan with local bird guide Rommel Cruz. Although the birds were not as plentiful as in Coron, I was happy to get several lifers. ;D

All photos were taken with Canon 1D Mark IV camera, Canon 800 mm lens, tripod.

We first had lunch at Badjao Restaurant in the mangrove forest, and again saw the apparent resident pair of Stork-Billed Kingfishers. I tried using a 2x extender for maximum range, and was pleasantly surprised that the auto-focus worked most of the time.

STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER (Halcyon capensis gouldi) - The gouldi race is endemic to Palawan and Mindoro.
This SBKF had just caught a big fish. The auto-focus then stopped working. I frantically tried again and again, and was lucky that the auto-focus worked for 2-3 shots.

2x extender, 1600 mm, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/100 second, manual exposure.

COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia aequanimis) - A resident of Palawan. This was a lifer for me!

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-3200, 1/125, manual exposure.

The next day, we went to Irawan EcoPark. I got my first clear and complete shot of a tailorbird ever after years of trying, and I got lots of nice looks that day. When it rains, it pours!

RUFOUS-TAILED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sericeus sericeus) - A resident of Palawan.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/1000 second, manual exposure.

This Rufous-Tailed Tailorbird is showing off its rufous tail.

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/200 second, manual exposure.

SPANGLED DRONGO (Dicrurus hottentottus palawanensis), also known as HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO - The palawanensis race is endemic to Palawan.
I always wondered why it is called Spangled Drongo. Now I can see the spangles on its breast.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/160 second, manual exposure.

We then transferred to Crocodile Farm, which has a small mini-forest with nice paths throughout.

ASHY-HEADED BABBLER (Trichastoma cinereicips) - Endemic to Palawan.
Rommel and I tried in vain for 5 days in Sabang a few months ago and near Puerto Princesa City this trip, to get this very elusive babbler, which likes to hide in forest underbrush. Considering the poor lighting, the plant cover, and the quickness of his babbler, it is very hard to get a quality photo. I was resigned to never seeing it, when all of a sudden this AHB came out on an open branch just 10 meters away for a few seconds! This was a very rewarding lifer for me!

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/320 second, manual exposure.

ASHY-HEADED BABBLER

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/320 second, manual exposure.

PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes malacensis paragaue) - female. The paragaue race is endemic to Palawan.
This was another lifer for me!

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-800, 1/1000 second, manual exposure.

We then visited Iwahig Penal Colony.

SPOT-THROATED FLAMEBACK (Dinopium javanense everetti) - recently split from COMMON FLAMEBACK. Endemic to Palawan.

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-3200, 1/80 second, manual exposure.

Many thanks to Rommel Cruz!

[fred serrano]

mukha'ng draft pa nga ely. i'm sure rq will soon post the pictures.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Ely, actually I have to do long postings this way. In the past, I would draft a long posting and then I lose wifi signal and all my work is gone. Very frustrating. This way, my posting of the latest draft is saved.

[Ely Teehankee]

Oct 31, 2012 2:39:08 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Ely, actually I have to do long postings this way. In the past, I would draft a long posting and then I lose wifi signal and all my work is gone. Very frustrating. This way, my posting of the latest draft is saved.

I know what you mean. Next time I see you, I will show you a way to save your draft. LOL. Looking forward to see the pictures.

[tina mallari]

WOW !!! Wonderful shot of the stork billed kingfisher Ramon !!! Must have been such a treat to get all these birds.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you for appreciating, Tina.

[Ely Teehankee]

I think the Stork-billed Kingfisher is the biggest kingfisher in the Philippines. It sure sounds good that you can use your 2X with auto focus. You have a lot of prize catches on this trip. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ely. The auto-focus works with the 2x extender on the 800 mm lens in good light, but is unreliable.

[Michael R. Anton]

WOW! Great photo of the Stork-billed KF!

[Ariel Matias]

Nice photo of the Stork-billed Kingfisher. With 800mm + 2X TC, are these pictures cropped? I can imagine a difficult birding in PH with my bare 400mm lens, which is enough in most cases here in Costa Rica

[Bob Kaufman]

Another terrific set of shots, Ramon. Once again, congrats on the Babbler - that is one elusive bird!

[Tateo Osawa]

All nice shots, Ramon. I like the Stork-billed kingfisher with fish.