La Mesa Eco Park's Favorite Birds

[Ely Teehankee]

In less than one month, I had the opportunity to go to La Mesa Eco Park 3 times. The first time was a dud, the second time was better, and the last time with Tateo, Ramon, & JJ was the best. We saw 3 endemics and so happy for Tateo that he got all three on his CF card.

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.

The Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopecta) 5 1/2 inches is endemic to the Philippines. It is the most popular bird at the renowned resort of Villa Escudero where one can enjoy a sumptuous lunch beneath the waterfall and feel the water running under your feet. There is a lot of garbage where they are at the LMEP but you will not be bothered by it because the birds are less than 10 meters from you. A friend has asked me to accompany him when he finds the time & I certainly will do that as it will give me another opportunity to see these beautiful birds in the wild.

This picture was taken early in the morning and it was dark under the canopy. It is the only picture that I have of the pair together where you can see the distinct difference between the male & female. The male has two bands across its chest while the female has only one band.
1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200




1/30 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800
Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Female)




1/25 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800
Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Female)




1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Male)




1/30 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Male)




1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




The Spotted Wood-Kingfisher (Actnoides lindsayi) 10 inches (Male) is almost twice the size of the Indigo-banded Kingfisher 5 1/2 inches and is a bird that loves to be photograph. I have seen this bird in Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon, Mambukal, Negros Occidental and now at the La Mesa Eco Park, sometimes as close as 6.08 meters. It is a dream come true to take pictures of birds at this distance.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




1/60 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




1/80 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Wonderful set, Ely!

[Neon Rosell II]

Great set Ely!

[William Lim]

Great set, Ely. Well done.

[Ely Teehankee]

Nov 6, 2013 9:32:03 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Wonderful set, Ely!

Thank you Ramon. This is the closest that I ever got to the Spotted Wood-Kingfisher. The IBKF would really be a challenge unless you put up a blind.

[Ely Teehankee]

Nov 8, 2013 5:21:18 GMT Neon Rosell II said:

Great set Ely!

Thank you Neon. I like to go back. I just hope that they are still there.

[Tateo Osawa]

All nice shots, Ely. I like the photos with fish and worm. When I see you photo, I would like to go back again.

[Ely Teehankee]

Nov 8, 2013 10:23:41 GMT William Lim said:

Great set, Ely. Well done.

Thank you William. I saw your postings and somehow I like the way that the bird posed for you better. Well done William & Mabuhay.

[Ely Teehankee]

Nov 9, 2013 14:07:58 GMT Tateo Osawa said:

All nice shots, Ely. I like the photos with fish and worm. When I see you photo, I would like to go back again.

Thank you Tateo. You are right, the IBKF got a fish and a fly that looked like a worm. Pagasa expect another 4 typhoons for the remaining season. Should there be a lull in between, you are welcome to come back. For luck we will have the Mexican Tacos the day before just like the way we did it the last time. LOL.