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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 3, 2013 4:30:45 GMT
Yeah very similar. Great shots!
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Post by Gerry Brett on Mar 28, 2013 23:00:58 GMT
Thanks Clemn I'll definitely head there.
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Post by Gerry Brett on Mar 28, 2013 11:57:48 GMT
This is the male of the maculatus sub-species digiscoped in Brgy Patag, Silay City, Negros Occidental on 27 March 2013. The birds are nesting in a tree in the garden of one of the Bantay Bukit Brigade, the mountain patrol guides, about 10 feet from his house! It is quite a spectacle observing the male and female taking turns in their responsibilities. I was very mindful of issues around disturbance and would like to assure members that I didn't cause any disturbance to the birds - but it should also be borne in mind that the birds are in a relatively cramped garden which is normally bedecked with drying clothes and lots of noise from humans and animals. This is the second consecutive year the nest has been used by this species. So I trust this image is not in violation of your terms.
The image was digiscoped using a Kowa 883 scope and 25 mm LER lens, a Panasonic GF1 camera with 20 mm at f/1.7; scope and camera coupled with Kowa DA-10 adaptor; ISO 100 at 1/15 sec using a 2 second shutter delay; all mounted on a tripod.
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Post by Gerry Brett on Mar 28, 2013 11:00:50 GMT
Hello all! Great to be back in the Philippines and in Negros in particular. Been a while, almost two years: at this time last year my wife had recently given us a new baby girl and so it was impractical to travel during our school holidays. We are all back this time, son and daughter, and we have done a little birding in Olango, locally in Brgy Punta Taytay, Bacolod City and an initial "feeler" into the Northern Negros Natural Park. I am blown away by the ease with which Chinese Egrets can be seen: 6 at Olango and 3 in Pta Taytay last week. Maybe it is just the time of the year...... greetings to you all. Gerry
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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 21, 2011 1:12:50 GMT
don't know what happened here is the oriental! not very good with technology
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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 21, 2011 1:11:23 GMT
Two digiscoped pratincoles, oriental and small, from western Thailand following my recent return from RP after a way too short visit. dscn9766.jpg"]
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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 16, 2011 1:39:03 GMT
. Hi Gerry thanks for sharing and nice set of birds on your blog spot. If you still have time try Balaring silay, just a 20 mins drive from bacolod city, you can capture some Egrets and Terns and Herons there plus good seafood food on restos Thanks Lawrence for the suggestion. I went down to Balaring yesterday late afternoon just after low tide. It's a great spot: three Chinese egrets, a few waders and a White-browed Crake and Barred Rail having a very entertaining territorial dispute. With a group of people including some noisy kids plus sun in the wrong place so no digiscoping...... but I'll be back. We are regular visitors here as my wife hails from Bacolod. As you say the restaurants are excellent....great sea food. I've posted a video of the Chinese egret at Pts Taytay on botab.blogspot.com. Unfortunately the quality of the uploaded clip has deteriorated from the original plus I am a decided amateur. Best wishes and thanks.
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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 14, 2011 8:58:09 GMT
Thanks for your kind comments. Apologies for not providing the EXIF details on the shot: it was digiscoped so most of the info is useless to you guys with the big lenses! As I have said in another post the birding here is sublime. Sorry it has to be such a short trip but "I will return" in October and hoping to head into the Negros Northern Forest Reserve. Get in touch if you are interested.
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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 14, 2011 8:52:18 GMT
Greetings fellow birders. The undoubted highlight of three days on Danjugan Island came this morning when I sighted 5 Lesser Frigate Birds from the Observation Tower.....at least three of which appear to be juveniles. I would be the first to concede the shot has little photographic merit other than as a record but some of you guys with the monster lenses might be interested. FYI the birds were probably 750m to 1km off shore and I digiscoped the birds using a Kowa 883 Spotting Scope, a Kowa 25 x LER lens attached to a Nikon P6000; FWIW ISO 64, f5.9, 1/241 (!), -0.7 EV. The birding in the Philippines is sublime. I love it and am hoping to return for 2 weeks in October and am planning a trip into the Northern Negros Forest Reserve. If you are interested then get in touch. Mabuhay!
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Post by Gerry Brett on Apr 10, 2011 14:07:15 GMT
Greetings and great to be back in the Philippines and birding, albeit briefly. This Chinese Egret was quite unexpected on the mudflats at Brgy Punta Taytay, near Sum Ag in Bacolod City. Going to have a few days on Danjugan Island and then back to Thailand. Best wishes botab.blogspot.com
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 7, 2010 23:33:33 GMT
Bob I hope it is a Chinese egret too! I am no expert but the Chinese displays some quite idiosyncratic behaviour when feeding. I have seen it in Thailand with Phil Round and he pointed out to me how it skewers its neck at about 45 degrees and then prances after its prey using its bill with a dagger like action. Once you see this you can't miss it, it really is striking. On this basis I reckon I saw one last April at Olangapo, Cebu... it was an amazing spectacle, it had me in hysterics. I don't know if you saw any of this type of behaviour with this bird but if you did I would change my vote! The reason I go with eastern reef egret white morph is my immediate reaction to looking at your picture, a great shot, was the bird's plumes were kind of matt, whereas the Chinese even in non-breeding plumes is pearl white, with a sheen. Dayum birds!
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 7, 2010 12:18:00 GMT
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 7, 2010 10:32:37 GMT
Bob great captures. My vote would be for an eastern reef-egret in its white stage. Aren't these shore birds a real test!!!? Gerry botab.blogspot.com
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 6, 2010 1:42:32 GMT
Yeah Bob and thanks I am pretty sure it is black-crowned just not familiar with the rufous and the field guide shows the juveniles of these species are similar. We are having a great time and even managing a little birding. Never knew that tattlers were so common in the Philippines. Lovely birds! Hope you are well. Gerry botab.blogspot.com
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 6, 2010 1:41:39 GMT
Yeah Bob and thanks I am pretty sure it is black-crowned just not familiar with the rufous and the field guide shows the juveniles of these species are similar. We are having a great time and even managing a little birding. Never knew that tattlers were so common in the Philippines. Lovely birds! Hope you are well. Gerry botab.blogspot.com
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 4, 2010 22:26:52 GMT
Hi there again my short list is either immature Black Crowned Night Heron or Rufous Night Heron. I do not know the Rufous but the Black Crowned is fairly common back home in Thailand. My instinct is it is an immature Black Crowned as it seems to be developping a black crown and its thick headset suggests this species. This was taken yesterday in Sibican in Balanga City. I am now in Bacolod City in Negros. Any advice on nearby locations would be gratefully received.
Negros
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 2, 2010 2:08:58 GMT
Romy I'll bow to your superior knowledge and photgraphic skills:) Fantastic shot! Many thanks.
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Post by Gerry Brett on Oct 1, 2010 13:00:14 GMT
Hello and great to be in the Philippines. I am in Balanga City and was down at Puerto Rivas this afternoon and I reckon this is a common tern ssp longipennis, in tranisition from breeding to non-breeding, but would welcome your help. Many thanks
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Post by Gerry Brett on Sept 15, 2010 12:22:29 GMT
Thanks for your messages. Here is the provisional schedule; arrive MLA Friday 1st October 2010 and transfer to Balanga City for 3 days; Monday 4th October afternoon transfer to BCD; Friday 8th - Monday 11th October Kanlaon; Thursday 14th Dumaguete/Siluban for Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Lakes. Sunday 17th MLA and home to BKK. I have no bookings or reservations beyond flights in/ex MLA - BKK so this is not definite.Welcome any comments or suggestions. Also would like to make a quick morning trip to Candaba Marsh and a short trip to Danjugan Island, Neg Occ. How feasible is it to hire a car for the trip to Balanga City? Best wishes Gerry botab.blogspot.com
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Post by Gerry Brett on Sept 8, 2010 13:49:22 GMT
Thank you so much for your messages. I certainly want to get to Kanlaon. I am going to be in BCD from 4th October thru 16th October. If anyone has any suggestions please fire away.Looking as if I am going to have a couple of nights in MLA at the beginning of my trip so again suggestions and recommendations warmly received. Thanks. Gerry botab.blogspot.com
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