Post by Ely Teehankee on May 26, 2013 22:48:29 GMT
Coron is still my favorite place to go birding in the Philippines. I was there twice this year in a span of two months. This time to celebrate the birthday of a close friend. I have been to Coron more than 10 times but never had the chance to visit the small islands that is famous for scuba diving and snorkeling. Most of the birds are the same as what I have seen before, but once in a while I would see a different specie. I always look forward to seeing the same birds again and always hoping to get a better shot. This time the best surprise was seeing the Red-bellied Pitta along the Capayas Creek.
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.
It was a pleasant surprise to see the Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida) 165mm (6 1/2 inches) roaming around this time of the year. Usually I would see them when the rain has started as it wets the leaves making it conducive for insects and worms to hide underneath it. The Pitta would than turn the leaf over and eat whatever is available. At times during the breeding season it would have literally a mouth full of worms to bring to its new hatchlings.
1/50 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600 Distance to subject 10.8 meters
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
It was by chance that I saw a pair of Blue-headed Racquet tail (Prioniturus platen) 230mm (9 1/4 inches) perched side by side. This bird is endemic to the Philippines. There is a distinct difference in the color of their feathers.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
The surprise and easily the best bird that I was able to photograph on this trip was the Red-bellied Pitta (Pitta erythrogaster propinqua) endemic to Palawan, 165mm (6 1/2 inches. It has been said that this bird has been seen at the Capayas Creek right next to the Capayas Creek Bird Reserve of Ramon Quisumbing. When I heard the melodious call of this bird, it was like good music to the ears. A few minutes after I saw him walking on the ground. I excitedly took some pictures until he perched on a tree and started making his call to his mate but to no avail.
1/20 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Another reason why Coron is one my favorite birding place in the Philippines is because it is almost a sure thing that you would see the Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa) 140mm (5 1/2 inches) and the Ruddy Kingfisher. According to the KGB's taxonomy it is the form occurring in the Philippines.
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Its May and its the breeding season. It looks like the Blue Paradise- Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) 216mm (8 1/2 inches) just had a drink of water as there are still some droplets on its whiskers. The male & female takes turn in incubating the eggs which is similar to the Resplendent Quetzal that I saw in Costa Rica. This is the male Blue Paradise-Flycatcher and endemic to the Philippines.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
This is the female Blue Paradise-Flycatcher.
1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Mount Darala was buzzing with activities that morning. While taking the picture of a nesting Blue Paradise-Flycatcher, I heard the loud call of the Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) 268mm (10 1/2 inches). Moving closer to the sound I was able to photograph the male Greater Flameback woodpecker.
I have been told by our friend and bird expert Desmond Allen that this bird is now known as: Spot-throated Flameback (Dinopium everetti)
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
The Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coronanda liane) 280mm (11 inches) is not only huge but one of the friendliest kingfisher that I have encountered. So much so that a couple of years ago, a boy with a sling shot killed one and for more than a year, you could not see this bird anymore. This prompted Ramon Quisumbing to buy several parcels of land adjoining the Capayas creek and made it into a bird sanctuary. Today the birds have increased in numbers and they are relatively safe. Ramon has plans to make the place more bird friendly and I am certainly looking forward to its development. The male Ruddy Kingfisher is slightly smaller than the female and he has just given her his catch of a small crab. A vivid demonstration of love & devotion that some people thought that the birds don't have. This bird is endemic to Palawan.
1/125 sec. f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/320 sec. f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/200 sec. f/5.6, ISO 1600
When I visited Fraser's Hill early this year, some of my Malaysian friends were very fond of taking pictures at a low ISO. The results of the pictures, if taken properly is that you will have clearer and sharper pictures.
1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
1/10 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
The Yellow-throated Leafbird (Chloropsis palawanensis) 188mm (7 1/2 inches) is a Philippine endemic. It can only be found in Palawan. One of the challenging birds of Coron as the green feathers of this bird blends perfectly with the leaves where it forages. In addition to that it hardly keeps still. The sudden appearance of this bird made me forget to change the ISO that resulted in this soft shot.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
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White-vented Shama (Copsychus niger) 215mm (8 1/2 inches) another Philippine endemic bird that is quite common in Coron. Depending on the friendliness of this bird at the time that you see it, you can get quite close to it.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Another endemic bird is the Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) 91-105mm (3 1/2-4 1/2 inches) it is the smallest of the sunbirds in the Philippines and the loveliest. It is one of the most frisky birds that I have encountered and it is such a delight to photograph this sunbird when it is feeding on the nectar of this Gumamela which does not open fully unlike the usual type of Gumamela. What was really exciting about taking the picture of this bird was that I was just barely over the minimum focussing distance of 6 meters.
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
By chance the White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) 114mm (4 inches) came close to a tree that had a bamboo like plant that bears flowers that they birds like.
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Last but not least is the beautiful Palawan Blue Flycatcher (Cornis lemprieri) 160mm (6 1/4 inches). This bird is endemic to the Philippines and I was fortunate to have been able to take the pictures of both the male & female. This is the female Palawan Blue Flycatcher.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
This is the male Palawan Blue Flycatcher
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
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.
It was a pleasant surprise to see the Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida) 165mm (6 1/2 inches) roaming around this time of the year. Usually I would see them when the rain has started as it wets the leaves making it conducive for insects and worms to hide underneath it. The Pitta would than turn the leaf over and eat whatever is available. At times during the breeding season it would have literally a mouth full of worms to bring to its new hatchlings.
1/50 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600 Distance to subject 10.8 meters
1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
It was by chance that I saw a pair of Blue-headed Racquet tail (Prioniturus platen) 230mm (9 1/4 inches) perched side by side. This bird is endemic to the Philippines. There is a distinct difference in the color of their feathers.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
The surprise and easily the best bird that I was able to photograph on this trip was the Red-bellied Pitta (Pitta erythrogaster propinqua) endemic to Palawan, 165mm (6 1/2 inches. It has been said that this bird has been seen at the Capayas Creek right next to the Capayas Creek Bird Reserve of Ramon Quisumbing. When I heard the melodious call of this bird, it was like good music to the ears. A few minutes after I saw him walking on the ground. I excitedly took some pictures until he perched on a tree and started making his call to his mate but to no avail.
1/20 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Another reason why Coron is one my favorite birding place in the Philippines is because it is almost a sure thing that you would see the Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa) 140mm (5 1/2 inches) and the Ruddy Kingfisher. According to the KGB's taxonomy it is the form occurring in the Philippines.
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Its May and its the breeding season. It looks like the Blue Paradise- Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) 216mm (8 1/2 inches) just had a drink of water as there are still some droplets on its whiskers. The male & female takes turn in incubating the eggs which is similar to the Resplendent Quetzal that I saw in Costa Rica. This is the male Blue Paradise-Flycatcher and endemic to the Philippines.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
This is the female Blue Paradise-Flycatcher.
1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Mount Darala was buzzing with activities that morning. While taking the picture of a nesting Blue Paradise-Flycatcher, I heard the loud call of the Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) 268mm (10 1/2 inches). Moving closer to the sound I was able to photograph the male Greater Flameback woodpecker.
I have been told by our friend and bird expert Desmond Allen that this bird is now known as: Spot-throated Flameback (Dinopium everetti)
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
The Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coronanda liane) 280mm (11 inches) is not only huge but one of the friendliest kingfisher that I have encountered. So much so that a couple of years ago, a boy with a sling shot killed one and for more than a year, you could not see this bird anymore. This prompted Ramon Quisumbing to buy several parcels of land adjoining the Capayas creek and made it into a bird sanctuary. Today the birds have increased in numbers and they are relatively safe. Ramon has plans to make the place more bird friendly and I am certainly looking forward to its development. The male Ruddy Kingfisher is slightly smaller than the female and he has just given her his catch of a small crab. A vivid demonstration of love & devotion that some people thought that the birds don't have. This bird is endemic to Palawan.
1/125 sec. f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/320 sec. f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/200 sec. f/5.6, ISO 1600
When I visited Fraser's Hill early this year, some of my Malaysian friends were very fond of taking pictures at a low ISO. The results of the pictures, if taken properly is that you will have clearer and sharper pictures.
1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
1/10 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
The Yellow-throated Leafbird (Chloropsis palawanensis) 188mm (7 1/2 inches) is a Philippine endemic. It can only be found in Palawan. One of the challenging birds of Coron as the green feathers of this bird blends perfectly with the leaves where it forages. In addition to that it hardly keeps still. The sudden appearance of this bird made me forget to change the ISO that resulted in this soft shot.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100
White-vented Shama (Copsychus niger) 215mm (8 1/2 inches) another Philippine endemic bird that is quite common in Coron. Depending on the friendliness of this bird at the time that you see it, you can get quite close to it.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Another endemic bird is the Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) 91-105mm (3 1/2-4 1/2 inches) it is the smallest of the sunbirds in the Philippines and the loveliest. It is one of the most frisky birds that I have encountered and it is such a delight to photograph this sunbird when it is feeding on the nectar of this Gumamela which does not open fully unlike the usual type of Gumamela. What was really exciting about taking the picture of this bird was that I was just barely over the minimum focussing distance of 6 meters.
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
By chance the White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) 114mm (4 inches) came close to a tree that had a bamboo like plant that bears flowers that they birds like.
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Last but not least is the beautiful Palawan Blue Flycatcher (Cornis lemprieri) 160mm (6 1/4 inches). This bird is endemic to the Philippines and I was fortunate to have been able to take the pictures of both the male & female. This is the female Palawan Blue Flycatcher.
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
This is the male Palawan Blue Flycatcher
1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
wonderful set of photos
