Post by Ely Teehankee on Feb 6, 2014 23:46:38 GMT
Ramon & JJ Quisumbing, and I took the 4:40 flight to Cagayan de Oro and landed on schedule at the new Laguindingan International Airport. The rented 4X4 was waiting for us and we immediately proceeded to Mapawa Nature Adventure Park. Dodong our bird guide met us and we walk to a forested area to seek the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher. Within an hour we heard the call and the bird was flying from tree to tree chasing different kinds of insects. Most of the time, there was no clear shot, because of the dense forest. I had a glimpse of the bright orange Rufous Paradise Flycatcher eating a butterfly but was not able to focus on the bird because of some interfering twigs & leaves. We spread out to cover a wider area and I was fortunate enough to get a clear shot of this singing bird at 21.1 meters. Looking at the birds that I was able to photograph I noticed that I had 4 species with open beaks, hence the title of smiling birds of Mapawa.
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 thrill to see the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cinnamomea) 8 1/2 inches is endemic to the Philippines. With its bright orange color flying from tree to tree, it is easy to spot. We all make the wish that he lands near one of us, for a clear shot. It did not happen in the forest but having a brief moment of a clear shot even if it was at a distance is a thrill that makes one's heart beat faster. The first smiling bird of the day that elicited the joy of bird photography.
1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
It was after lunch, and we were on the balcony overlooking the forest with trees in front of us some 25 meters away. Just to be able to take pictures of the Guaiabero, Brown-throated Sunbird, and Asian Glossy Starling we attached our TC for added length, when I saw this bright orange bird from the corner of my eye landed on a tree just 15 meters from where Ramon was positioned. I called the attention of Ramon that must have rattled him with my loud voice but with much excitement the three of us had a feast photographing the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher. The settings were for distant birds and we had no time to remove our TC. It was also darker and I was not able to adjust my ISO. Fortunately at 1/40, I was able to photograph this beautiful Rufous Paradise Flycatcher.
1/40 sec., f/8, ISO 800 With 1.4X TC
This is my favorite of the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher. The tail just fitted into the frame.
1/40 sec., f/8, ISO 800 With 1.4X TC
After the show put up by the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher at the forest, we went to another area and saw this Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) 6 inches. The second of the smiling birds.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Sunbirds are skittish by nature and even though this bird was far for a good shot, I ventured to give it a try. I am glad that I did because it turned out to be a lifer for me. The Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) 4 3/4 inches.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800
The Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis) 11 1/2 inches was also chasing insects and returning to its perch. This is the third of the smiling birds.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 1600
The bird that made us look up was this noisy pair of Guaiabero (Bolbopsittacus lunulatus) 6 2/1 inches and endemic to the Philippines. They are plumb, short tail with very fast bullet-like flight. The is the fourth of the smiling birds.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 1600 With 1.4X TC
The African Tulip attracts several kinds of birds and among them is the Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) 8 inches. It is sometimes related as the Dracula of birds because of its red eyes.
1/200 sec., f/8, ISO 1600 With1.4X TC
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 thrill to see the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cinnamomea) 8 1/2 inches is endemic to the Philippines. With its bright orange color flying from tree to tree, it is easy to spot. We all make the wish that he lands near one of us, for a clear shot. It did not happen in the forest but having a brief moment of a clear shot even if it was at a distance is a thrill that makes one's heart beat faster. The first smiling bird of the day that elicited the joy of bird photography.
1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
It was after lunch, and we were on the balcony overlooking the forest with trees in front of us some 25 meters away. Just to be able to take pictures of the Guaiabero, Brown-throated Sunbird, and Asian Glossy Starling we attached our TC for added length, when I saw this bright orange bird from the corner of my eye landed on a tree just 15 meters from where Ramon was positioned. I called the attention of Ramon that must have rattled him with my loud voice but with much excitement the three of us had a feast photographing the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher. The settings were for distant birds and we had no time to remove our TC. It was also darker and I was not able to adjust my ISO. Fortunately at 1/40, I was able to photograph this beautiful Rufous Paradise Flycatcher.
1/40 sec., f/8, ISO 800 With 1.4X TC
This is my favorite of the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher. The tail just fitted into the frame.
1/40 sec., f/8, ISO 800 With 1.4X TC
After the show put up by the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher at the forest, we went to another area and saw this Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) 6 inches. The second of the smiling birds.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
Sunbirds are skittish by nature and even though this bird was far for a good shot, I ventured to give it a try. I am glad that I did because it turned out to be a lifer for me. The Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) 4 3/4 inches.
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800
The Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis) 11 1/2 inches was also chasing insects and returning to its perch. This is the third of the smiling birds.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 1600
The bird that made us look up was this noisy pair of Guaiabero (Bolbopsittacus lunulatus) 6 2/1 inches and endemic to the Philippines. They are plumb, short tail with very fast bullet-like flight. The is the fourth of the smiling birds.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 1600 With 1.4X TC
The African Tulip attracts several kinds of birds and among them is the Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) 8 inches. It is sometimes related as the Dracula of birds because of its red eyes.
1/200 sec., f/8, ISO 1600 With1.4X TC
