Batanes Trash Birding

[Sylvia Ramos]

When people go to Batanes, they usually rave about the amazing views. We were there this month for birding and one of our fave spots was a dump site where we had really close views of the birds! The trash was mostly leaves and plants that was piled up against a hillside. No bad smell! We were standing at the top of the hillside and across us were trees and further up the road was the trail to Mt. Irayat.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
There are a LOT of them all over Batanes, but we had our best views at the dumpsite.

f9, iso 500, 1/100

White Shouldered Starling Sturnus sinensis

f9, iso 320, 1/320

Chestnut Cheeked Bulbul Microscelis amaurotis batanensis
When we went to Batanes in 2011, we had a hard time photographing this bird. This time, they were all over the place.

f 7.1, iso 500, 1/160

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
So cute!

f9, iso 500, 1/320

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
immature

f9, iso 500, 1/250

Canon 5DMark3, 500mm v2, 1.4 t.c.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Wonderful set, Sylvia!

[William Lim]

Great captures Sylvia. Sharp with beautifu bokeh.

[Neon Rosell II]

Stunning, clear unobstructed captures, Sylvia!

[Sylvia Ramos]

Thank you Ramon, William and Neon!

It always amazes me when a species that was so difficult to photograph in one site behaves completely differently in another site. Makes you wonder what it really is that affects their behavior.

[Ely Teehankee]

Nice pictures of these good looking birds. Well done Sylvia & Mabuhay.

[Tateo Osawa]

Beautiful shots, Sylvia.

[Tonji Ramos]

I think the big storm just before we arrived changed the habits of the birds. Maybe all the fruit fell. The locals told me that the bulbuls don't usually show up in the town unless it was after a storm.

[tina mallari]

Wow if trash birding will give me birds like these, I would gladly go trash birding. These are all wonderful photos Sylvia !!!