Post by Ely Teehankee on Dec 28, 2012 13:37:31 GMT
Coron has always been one of my favorite places to go for bird photography. The variety of birds and their familiar behavior makes it a delight for twitchers and bird photographers alike to see the beauty of God's creation.
Canon EOS 1DX, Canon EF 800mm f5.6L IS USM, Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, M-3.6 Mongoose Gimbal Action Head. Manual exposure in available light.
Blue Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) 8 1/2 inches Endemic to the Philippines. I only saw this male bird once and luckily I was able to take a photograph of it.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Blue Paradise-Flycatcher (Female) 7 1/2 inches
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) 6 inches. This is one kingfisher that I was not able to get close to. For one reason or another it was shy.
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus rufidorsa) 5 1/2 inches. Palawan specie but not endemic. Not so shy but gets spook easily. I would position myself at a safe distance of about 15 meters and start taking pictures of this colorful kingfisher. Slowly, quietly, and deliberately, I would move forward and get as close as possible.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
1/50 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda liane) 11 inches. Can only be seen in Palawan but not endemic. Double the size of the Rufous-backed Kingfisher and on two occasions my guide went past it and I guess my eyes are now trained to see birds among the bush. I remember when I was just starting and my guide would point out the bird but I still would not be able to see it right away. It takes getting used to seeing something unusual or colorful among the bushes to recognize that it is a bird. Nevertheless my guide Erwin can identify the sound of a bird and locate it within a couple of minutes. That's how good he is with birds.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) 4 1/2 inches. There were hundreds of them but difficult to get close. You have to stay hidden and wait for them to come back to the same place. A hide would be a big advantage but with so many other beautiful birds it is not difficult to let this one go.
1/2000 sec., f/8, ISO 400
Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) 8 1/2 inches. When you see it and it flies away it won't be very far, but you just hope that it is not too high up in the tree. They are not as shy as the other birds and can be approached in a cautious manner.
1/50 sec., f/16, ISO 800
White-vented Shama (Copsychur niger) 8 1/2 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. I have several pictures of this bird perched on a tree, but I like this one on the ground as it is different from what I have taken before. Having landed 7.25 meters from me, I was able to take a close picture of this bird that has bluish-grey feathers and not black as it may seem from a distance.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) 10 inches. Not difficult to find, but have to get it at the right place, light, and bird position to get a good picture. At 9.07 meters the bird would fill the entire frame. I like the position of this bird on this picture.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) 5 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. The Tailorbird is always a challenge to photograph. Similar to the Sunbirds that hardly keeps still, the Tailorbird would fly from one branch to the other. This is what I can appreciate with the 1DX having one processor dedicated just for focussing. I believe the seconds or fraction of a second faster to focus on the subject enables me to have a better chance of getting the bird on the CF card. Call them skittish, frisky, live wire, it was challenging and fun to photograph this bird.
1/1600 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Blue-headed Racquet-tail (Prioniturus platenea) 9 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. I am glad that we saw this bird several times during this trip but it is always at the top of the tree and backlighted. Maybe next time, I will have a better opportunity. Creeps very slowly on the branches to get to the fruits that are growing near the top of the tree. It can be frustrating to see it and yet not able to get a shot of it as it is mostly covered with foliage.
1/2000 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus harringtoni) 18 inches. Could possibly be declared endemic in the near future. This bird can be frustrating as it is a skulker. It certainly made my trip worthwhile having been able to see it in the open for a few seconds. Even at 23.8 meters it was better than being near but covered.
15 sec., f/8, ISO 1600
Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni) 3 1/2 inches is as small as a Lovely Sunbird. Endemic to the Philippines. Between them and the Olive-winged Bulbul they would eat a couple of bananas a day. It was really an opportunity to see them from time to time as they eat and run several times a day. This female had a similar pose with the male in the next picture even though they were taken 12 minutes apart. They take turns to eat the banana, while one is eating the other is waiting in a nearby branch or tree. But they certainly don't take their time in eating. In rapid motion peck and look around, forever fearful of harm's way. This is certainly one of the most challenging birds to photograph.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO
The male Palawan Flowerpecker, more colorful than the female in a strikingly similar pose. What a coincidence and luck to get them to pose almost identically.
1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
The singing female Palawan Flowerpecker.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 3200
The male can also sing. Actually, I think when one finds something to eat the other bird would make a call for his/her mate to join in the partaking of the fruit.
1/2000 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
I believe there were several Palawan Flowerpecker feasting on the banana. Some male will have the red crown and some do not. Some were just starting to grow the red feathers. Here I had the opportunity to get one with the red crown.
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
This is the first time that I was able to photograph the yellow patch at the rump of the male Palawan Flowerpecker.
1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Palawan Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) 6 1/4 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. Seldom do I see this bird and very difficult to photograph. It was getting dark as it was past 5:25 PM. The bird was scavenging on the ground for insects. We did not see it until it flew up. I would consider this as very fortunate to have been able to take this picture.
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus) 7 1/2 inches. One bite of the banana and it is like the equivalent 10 bites of the Palawan Flowerpecker. Certainly no match if it comes to deciding which is more desirable to photograph. On the other hand a bird is still a bird and no harm in taking some pictures of it for posterity.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 12800
Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugulars aurora) 4 1/2 inches. Endemic to the Palawan. This is similar to the common Olive-backed Sunbird that can be seen in Metro Manila but there is a distinct shade of orange-red feathers added to its chest. A beautiful sunbird, only I did not get to see it as much as I wanted to.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea) 6 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. I saw this bird on two occasions but briefly. Fortunately I was able to get some pictures of it. No sign of the female this time. The small black cap clearly identifies the bird as male.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Yellow-throated Leafbird (Chloropsis palawanensis) 7 1/2 inches. This was the biggest surprise of the trip. Earlier in the day I saw some of them but no chance to photograph them as they were far. As the Palawan Flowerpecker just left, probably upon seeing this Leafbird coming, it lands on the banana fruit 6.08 meters from where I was standing. A brief stop of a few seconds but gave me the best picture that I have of this bird.
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) 3 1/2 - 4 1/4 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. One of the most colorful and beautiful sunbirds if not the loveliest, it is easily my favorite of the Sunbirds. A skittish little bird that can leave you frustrated but not this time. I thank God for all these wonderful creatures that He created and for a safe and fruitful trip.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
What a delightful color combination from head to tail and look at how he clings to the Gumamela in between seeping the nectar of the flower and moving around. This bird certainly plays a big part of making it the best trip I ever had to Coron.
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Canon EOS 1DX, Canon EF 800mm f5.6L IS USM, Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, M-3.6 Mongoose Gimbal Action Head. Manual exposure in available light.
Blue Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) 8 1/2 inches Endemic to the Philippines. I only saw this male bird once and luckily I was able to take a photograph of it.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Blue Paradise-Flycatcher (Female) 7 1/2 inches
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) 6 inches. This is one kingfisher that I was not able to get close to. For one reason or another it was shy.
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus rufidorsa) 5 1/2 inches. Palawan specie but not endemic. Not so shy but gets spook easily. I would position myself at a safe distance of about 15 meters and start taking pictures of this colorful kingfisher. Slowly, quietly, and deliberately, I would move forward and get as close as possible.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
1/50 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda liane) 11 inches. Can only be seen in Palawan but not endemic. Double the size of the Rufous-backed Kingfisher and on two occasions my guide went past it and I guess my eyes are now trained to see birds among the bush. I remember when I was just starting and my guide would point out the bird but I still would not be able to see it right away. It takes getting used to seeing something unusual or colorful among the bushes to recognize that it is a bird. Nevertheless my guide Erwin can identify the sound of a bird and locate it within a couple of minutes. That's how good he is with birds.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) 4 1/2 inches. There were hundreds of them but difficult to get close. You have to stay hidden and wait for them to come back to the same place. A hide would be a big advantage but with so many other beautiful birds it is not difficult to let this one go.
1/2000 sec., f/8, ISO 400
Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) 8 1/2 inches. When you see it and it flies away it won't be very far, but you just hope that it is not too high up in the tree. They are not as shy as the other birds and can be approached in a cautious manner.
1/50 sec., f/16, ISO 800
White-vented Shama (Copsychur niger) 8 1/2 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. I have several pictures of this bird perched on a tree, but I like this one on the ground as it is different from what I have taken before. Having landed 7.25 meters from me, I was able to take a close picture of this bird that has bluish-grey feathers and not black as it may seem from a distance.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) 10 inches. Not difficult to find, but have to get it at the right place, light, and bird position to get a good picture. At 9.07 meters the bird would fill the entire frame. I like the position of this bird on this picture.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) 5 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. The Tailorbird is always a challenge to photograph. Similar to the Sunbirds that hardly keeps still, the Tailorbird would fly from one branch to the other. This is what I can appreciate with the 1DX having one processor dedicated just for focussing. I believe the seconds or fraction of a second faster to focus on the subject enables me to have a better chance of getting the bird on the CF card. Call them skittish, frisky, live wire, it was challenging and fun to photograph this bird.
1/1600 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Blue-headed Racquet-tail (Prioniturus platenea) 9 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. I am glad that we saw this bird several times during this trip but it is always at the top of the tree and backlighted. Maybe next time, I will have a better opportunity. Creeps very slowly on the branches to get to the fruits that are growing near the top of the tree. It can be frustrating to see it and yet not able to get a shot of it as it is mostly covered with foliage.
1/2000 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus harringtoni) 18 inches. Could possibly be declared endemic in the near future. This bird can be frustrating as it is a skulker. It certainly made my trip worthwhile having been able to see it in the open for a few seconds. Even at 23.8 meters it was better than being near but covered.
15 sec., f/8, ISO 1600
Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni) 3 1/2 inches is as small as a Lovely Sunbird. Endemic to the Philippines. Between them and the Olive-winged Bulbul they would eat a couple of bananas a day. It was really an opportunity to see them from time to time as they eat and run several times a day. This female had a similar pose with the male in the next picture even though they were taken 12 minutes apart. They take turns to eat the banana, while one is eating the other is waiting in a nearby branch or tree. But they certainly don't take their time in eating. In rapid motion peck and look around, forever fearful of harm's way. This is certainly one of the most challenging birds to photograph.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO
The male Palawan Flowerpecker, more colorful than the female in a strikingly similar pose. What a coincidence and luck to get them to pose almost identically.
1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
The singing female Palawan Flowerpecker.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 3200
The male can also sing. Actually, I think when one finds something to eat the other bird would make a call for his/her mate to join in the partaking of the fruit.
1/2000 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
I believe there were several Palawan Flowerpecker feasting on the banana. Some male will have the red crown and some do not. Some were just starting to grow the red feathers. Here I had the opportunity to get one with the red crown.
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
This is the first time that I was able to photograph the yellow patch at the rump of the male Palawan Flowerpecker.
1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Palawan Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) 6 1/4 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. Seldom do I see this bird and very difficult to photograph. It was getting dark as it was past 5:25 PM. The bird was scavenging on the ground for insects. We did not see it until it flew up. I would consider this as very fortunate to have been able to take this picture.
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus) 7 1/2 inches. One bite of the banana and it is like the equivalent 10 bites of the Palawan Flowerpecker. Certainly no match if it comes to deciding which is more desirable to photograph. On the other hand a bird is still a bird and no harm in taking some pictures of it for posterity.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 12800
Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugulars aurora) 4 1/2 inches. Endemic to the Palawan. This is similar to the common Olive-backed Sunbird that can be seen in Metro Manila but there is a distinct shade of orange-red feathers added to its chest. A beautiful sunbird, only I did not get to see it as much as I wanted to.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400
Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea) 6 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. I saw this bird on two occasions but briefly. Fortunately I was able to get some pictures of it. No sign of the female this time. The small black cap clearly identifies the bird as male.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Yellow-throated Leafbird (Chloropsis palawanensis) 7 1/2 inches. This was the biggest surprise of the trip. Earlier in the day I saw some of them but no chance to photograph them as they were far. As the Palawan Flowerpecker just left, probably upon seeing this Leafbird coming, it lands on the banana fruit 6.08 meters from where I was standing. A brief stop of a few seconds but gave me the best picture that I have of this bird.
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) 3 1/2 - 4 1/4 inches. Endemic to the Philippines. One of the most colorful and beautiful sunbirds if not the loveliest, it is easily my favorite of the Sunbirds. A skittish little bird that can leave you frustrated but not this time. I thank God for all these wonderful creatures that He created and for a safe and fruitful trip.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
What a delightful color combination from head to tail and look at how he clings to the Gumamela in between seeping the nectar of the flower and moving around. This bird certainly plays a big part of making it the best trip I ever had to Coron.
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200
