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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 18, 2015 8:50:47 GMT
It is ironic that I was not yet into bird photography when I used to go to Baguio almost every month. I have discovered that there are quite a number of birds that can be seen there that cannot be seen elsewhere or would be very difficult to do so. One of them them is the Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) ssp luzonniensis (endemic) 5 1/2 inches. What is unique about this bird is that the beak is cross billed to enable it to insert its beak into the pine cone to extract and eat the pine nuts. It was recently discovered that there was a place where flocks would gather and eat from the mountain side something that grows between the rocks. It is colored red and looks like something like a pestle. Maybe someone can identify exactly what it is. 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. Male Red Crossbill with food in mouth. 1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600  Male Red Crossbill with unique beaks that crosses at the tip. 1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600  Female Red Crossbill with food in mouth. 1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600  |
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Post by Agerico M. De Villa on Jan 18, 2015 12:36:23 GMT
Truly informative. Congratulations! I miss your tarragon tea treats, by the way.
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 19, 2015 0:36:03 GMT
Thank you Prop Jerry. It was a lifer and a thrill for me to photograph this bird. I hope to be able to encounter this bird again in the near future as it is the only bird that I know with a crossbill. As for the Tarragon, I have moved to a smaller house with just a small garden. I will have to plant this wonderful & useful herb again so that we can all enjoy the tea that is so refreshing especially when we go birding. I need some cuttings and hopefully the ones that I gave Romy before have flourished so that I can ask for some from him. LOL.
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Post by William Lim on Jan 19, 2015 1:21:24 GMT
A unique bird, Ely.
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jan 19, 2015 2:30:37 GMT
Wow..... great close-up shots of my nemesis mountain bird, Ely!
Re the Taragon Plant, I think Nimfa has a small patch by the side of our garage in Paranaque. Will give you some cuttings once I'm back in the city.
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 19, 2015 12:11:51 GMT
It is a unique bird, the only one that I know of that has a crossbill. By the way pine nuts which the birds loves to eat are very delicious. |
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 19, 2015 12:13:56 GMT
Wow..... great close-up shots of my nemesis mountain bird, Ely! Re the Taragon Plant, I think Nimfa has a small patch by the side of our garage in Paranaque. Will give you some cuttings once I'm back in the city. Thank you Romy. If you have some used plastic cups, plant the cuttings on it so that I will have a good chance of propagating this plant, just like the way I gave them to you before. |
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Post by Tonji Ramos on Jan 20, 2015 0:39:09 GMT
Very nice photos of this bird Ely. The light is very nice and it is so close.
I've struggled with harsh light the times I have encountered this bird.
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jan 22, 2015 1:22:56 GMT
Very nice photos of this bird Ely. The light is very nice and it is so close. I've struggled with harsh light the times I have encountered this bird. Thank you Tonji. You are not alone. I had the same problem on the first day when the birds were feeding under the harsh light. All the pictures that I took were discarded. Luckily on the second day, they were in the shade and the pictures were acceptable. I am hoping that the next time I have the opportunity to see these birds I would get the picture that I like. |
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