Birding with Tateo at the Coastal Lagoon

[Ely Teehankee]

One of Tateo's favorite bird are the Kingfishers. Having seen and photograph the Indigo-banded Kingfishers at the La Mesa Eco Park, we tried to photograph the White-collared Kingfisher at the breakwaters of the Coastal Lagoon. It was not difficult to find them but it was very difficult to photograph them as they spook very easily even if we were birding from the car. The times that we were able to creep within 15 meters, they were the ones that were molting. Better than nothing we took their pictures. The surprise of the day was seeing a Wimbrel which stayed for some time that enabled us to take his picture for several minutes. Lunch was at the Golden Bay Restaurant where they serve delicious dimsums 50% off the regular price.

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.

White-collared Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris) 9 1/2 inches is the most common & conspicuous of all Philippine Kingfishers. I have seen them at Canlubang Golf & Country Club, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club & Southwoods Golf & Country Club. They seem to be around areas that has ponds & small fish & shrimp.
1/500 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/640 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/500 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/200 sec., f/8, ISO 800




It was my first time to see a Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 17 inches at the Coastal Lagoon even if it is fairly common. I wished we had seen more varieties but the tide was high when we went there. For those who have been there, knows that there is a U-turn slot for your vehicle to turn around without having to go thru the length of the Coastal Road. That is now closed so it makes the trip longer to go back to Parañaque plus you now have to pay the toll to go out and to come back.
1/500 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/250 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/250 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/250 sec., f/8, ISO 800

[Tateo Osawa]

All very nice shots, Ely. I like the collared kingfisher with crab. My first time to shoot whimbrel very close. By the way, thank you very much for the delicious lunch specially the shrimp siomai.

[Ely Teehankee]

Nov 18, 2013 6:37:34 GMT Tateo Osawa said:

All very nice shots, Ely. I like the collared kingfisher with crab. My first time to shoot whimbrel very close. By the way, thank you very much for the delicious lunch specially the shrimp siomai.

Thank you Tateo for your comments. I agree with you that the shrimp siomai is delicious. Perhaps we can go back there on your next birding trip. Cheers & Mabuhay.