QUEEN PHILIPPINE EAGLE and her NESTLING in MT. APO, DAVAO

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Last weekend, I had the thrill of a birder's lifetime when I saw and photographed a nesting pair of PHILIPPINE EAGLES with a nestling that is probably about a month old.  This was the #1 LIFER for me, as I had been craving to see a Philippine Eagle, our National Bird, in the wild for years!!!

With the prior approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Biodiversity Management Bureau and after obtaining the consents of the local barangay and the indigenous people representatives (which took several frustrating hours), my friends and I took 4WD vehicles and hiked a long distance on the muddy, slippery slopes of Mt. Apo, Davao to a vantage point overlooking a beautiful forested gorge. About 100+ meters below was the nest on a huge, majestic Balete (Ficus) tree.

The first day, we had to contend with the harsh glare of the afternoon sun and shimmering heat waves that blurred most photos. The next morning was much cooler with better light, but thick fog kept coming in to totally block our view of the nest most of the time.

We had great views of the female and nestling, although a large lens and teleconverter were necessary to take decent photos. The female never left the nest the entire 1-1/2 days except once for a few minutes only. The nestling slept most of the time. We only had glimpses of the much shyer male when he came to bring food to the nest about twice a day. But he flew very low and waited for the fog to come in to shield his appearance. [This gives me an excuse to make a return trip to Mt. Apo to photograph the male. ]

PHILIPPINE EAGLE (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
Endemic to old-growth forests of the Philippines.
National Bird of the Philippines. Critically endangered with only about 180-500 left in the wild.

All photos were taken with a Canon 1DX camera, Canon EF 600 mm IS II lens, 1.4x or 2x teleconverter, and tripod.


840 mm, F/5.6, ISO-1000, 1/500 second.


840 mm, F/5.6, ISO-800, 1/200 second.


840 mm, F/5.6, ISO-800, 1/250 second.


1200 mm, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/320 second.

At one point, the Queen spread her wings to shield the young Prince (or Princess) from a perceived threat, while the Prince peeked out underneath.


840 mm, F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/500 second.

Here, the Queen appears to be calling out to the King to bring home some food, while the nestling appears to hungrily search for scraps.


840 mm, F/5.6, ISO-1000, 1/320 second.

Finally, after the King flew in under cover of thick fog to bring a kill (a long-legged animal, perhaps a monkey, that had already been skinned), the Queen tore off pieces to feed the young Prince.


1200 mm, F/8, ISO-800, 1/500 second.

A close-up of the young Prince under the watchful eye of its mother.


1200 mm, F/8, ISO-800, 1/250 second.

To see a video of the feeding, click on this link:
s1193.photobucket.com/user/Ramonquis/media/BP8P9638_zps4516deaa.mp4.html

WHAT A THRILL!!! LONG LIVE THE KING AND QUEEN!!!

[Ely Teehankee]

Very nice and exciting. The hatchling looks as big as a chicken. This is nature at its best and it is certainly exhilarating to know that they are propagating in the wild. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Tateo Osawa]

Big Big Congratulation!!. Ramon, all nice shots.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Ely and Tateo-san. This was really such a thrill!

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow! great captures Ramon! considering the distance and the environmental conditions, how was the setup on the view point? was there any blinds to conceal your movements? Looks like this is a very accessible area and photogs and bird watchers would try to access the area just to get a glimpse.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Neon,

Thanks!

It is not a very accessible area, because visitors need to obtain prior clearances from the local barangay and the indigenous people representatives before one can enter the area. The view point is about 100+ meters above the PE nest. While it is far, the view is quite open.

Surprisingly, the view point is the yard of a local farmer who is a member of the indigenous people tribe. They have been protecting the nest for many years. He says the PE's have nesting there since he was a little boy and even when his parents were still young. So, the PEs are actually used to people at the view point. Nevertheless, we gave money and instructions to build a big hide at the view point.

Ramon

[Neon Rosell II]

Hi Ramon,

Great to hear that preventive measures are being done to minimize disturbance.

Cheers,

Neon