More photos - SCARLET-COLLARED FLOWERPECKER

[Ramon Quisumbing]

UPDATE - On 3/9/13, I again explored Ponderosa forest trail above Puerto Galera, Mindoro, this time accompanied by Ely Teehankee. For the first time, it was partly sunny above the mountain, and the backlighting was nowhere near as harsh.

Canon 1DX camera, 800 mm lens, tripod.


F/5.6, ISO-800, 1/3200 second.

We then saw this pair of Scarlet-Collared Flowerpeckers gathering spiderwebs above us, probably to build their nest.

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-800, 1/2000 second.

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SCARLET-COLLARED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum retrocinctum)
Endemic to Mindoro only.
Taken in Ponderosa forest trail at about 1,000 feet above sea level in the mountain above Puerto Galera, Mindoro on 2/23-24/13.

Canon 1DX camera, 800 mm lens, tripod.

I was intrigued by a recent report by Peter Stevens, a WBCP birder based in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, on Mindoro endemics in the forest beside Ponderosa Golf Club in the mountain above Puerto Galera. So, last weekend, I took a group of WBPP bird photographers on a cruise from Mabini, Batangas to Puerto Galera, Mindoro. We took a rented van on the 30-minute drive up to Ponderosa, which has magnificent views of Puerto Galera harbor, the Verde Island Passage, and Maricaban Island. We hooked up with Peter Stevens who graciously showed us the Ponderosa trail through a magnificent forest.

This was my #1 target bird and a LIFER for me! ;D


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

This SCFP is darker than the first SCFP and has gray flanks, so it may be a male.

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/500 second.

This photo shows the glossy blue-black upperparts (compared to the black head) and a tiny bit of the red collar on the back of the neck.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/2000 second.


F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/320 second.

[Ely Teehankee]

What a great find & lifer for you. There are similarities with the Visayan Flowerpecker of Bacolod but I suppose there are distinct differences that makes this bird endemic to Mindoro. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ely. Join me on my next yacht trip to Puerto Galera in April when the cold winds and low clouds on the mountain leave. According to the owner of Ponderosa golf club, it will be warm and sunny then with more birds. A resident birder Peter Stevens will email me when he sees the Mindoro Hornbill and other Mindoro endemics.

[Steve Albano]

Excellent rare find!! Congrats on your lifer Ramon!!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Steve. I remember you posted an immature SCFP last year.

[Ely Teehankee]

Feb 26, 2013 2:47:37 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Thanks, Ely. Join me on my next yacht trip to Puerto Galera in April when the cold winds and low clouds on the mountain leave. According to the owner of Ponderosa golf club, it will be warm and sunny then with more birds. A resident birder Peter Stevens will email me when he sees the Mindoro Hornbill and other Mindoro endemics.

Thank you Ramon. This is going to be exciting and I am looking forward to it.

[oespena]

This extremely amazing sir. Hope I could shoot this bird. nice catch sir.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Onnie.

[Tateo Osawa]

Nice shot a beautiful bird Ramon., Congratulation on your lifer!!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Tateo-san.

[Bobby Kintanar]

Beautiful capture, and a first look for me! Thanks for sharing. :-)

[Nilo Arribas Jr.]

Congratulations on your lifer, Ramon. The SCFP is a must have bird in Mindoro... thanks for sharing

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Bobby and Nilo.

[Dennis Alfaro]

Another great lifer sir! congrats!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Dennis.