Lagen Island, El Nido - Stork-billed Kingfisher

[Ely Teehankee]

The Stork-billed Kingfisher (Halcyon capensis) 13 inches is the biggest Kingfisher in the Philippines. The Kennedy Guide Book list the Philippine specie as "gouldi" and endemic to Palawan. It is not easy to find, we saw it first on the second day, early morning but backlighted. On the fourth day we saw it even earlier back with the forest as the background. At 27.4 meters it was not bad but it would have been better if it was within 10 meters. Maybe someday…



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.



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





1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600





1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600





1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600





1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600

[Tateo Osawa]

Nice shots of the Stork-billed Kingfisher, Ely. I tried to shoot this bird in Puerto Princesa several times but not good as yours.

[Ely Teehankee]

May 11, 2014 15:35:08 GMT Tateo Osawa said:

Nice shots of the Stork-billed Kingfisher, Ely. I tried to shoot this bird in Puerto Princesa several times but not good as yours.

Thank you Tateo. I also saw the Stork-billed Kingfisher in Puerto Princesa but it was more than 30 meters, so the picture was not good. This one is at 27.4 meters, but could be better if within 10 meters. LOL. I am still hoping that someday I will be able to get a closer shot.