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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Jan 5, 2017 9:07:36 GMT
Excellent as usual, Romy!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 16, 2015 2:14:17 GMT
Excellent set, Bob.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Apr 28, 2015 21:18:49 GMT
Wow, superb capture of perhaps the most beautiful bird in the world! Congrats, Bob! I had no luck last month in Guatemala.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Dec 4, 2014 9:38:00 GMT
WOW!!! Big congrats on a new Philippine record, Romy! Great photos too!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 27, 2014 6:55:00 GMT
Well done, Tateo!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 27, 2014 6:53:53 GMT
Microscopic details! Well done, Ely!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 1, 2014 11:00:47 GMT
Nice set, Ely!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Apr 23, 2014 10:28:14 GMT
Beautiful KF captures, Tateo!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Apr 21, 2014 11:29:37 GMT
Doc William, let me know if you would like to shoot the WBSW at BK Valley. My caretaker Cris can take you to the feeding station. The female comes out even in afternoons. More light later in the day. I'm still hoping to capture the much shyer male.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Apr 16, 2014 1:27:32 GMT
Wow! Wonderful collection of Capayas denizens, Doc William! I went there the week after and did not get any Blue-Headed Racquet-Tails because the cashew fruits on the trees had been eaten by then.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Apr 16, 2014 1:24:36 GMT
Nice close-up of this hard-to-catch tailorbird, Nilo!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Apr 16, 2014 1:23:28 GMT
Excellent harvest, Ely! And thank you -- although I don't deserve so much praise. The private bird preserves I have established at BK Valley, Mt. Banahaw and in Capayas Creek, Coron, Busuanga are experiments in bird conservation, but I think they are showing clear signs of success.
In BK, my partner Dion Pullan (whose family owns the valley) and I have prohibited airguns, slingshots, any form of hunting, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and even house cats, in order to protect birds. I established the BK Nest Stewardship Program in 2012 -- the biggest success of which is the uncommon Besra. Prior to 2012, it was very difficult to see this shy forest raptor, and few photos existed. A local availed of the benefits under the Program and reported a Besra nest in 2012. We extensively documented the nest, which successfully produced 2 fledglings in 2012. The parents returned in 2013, and produced 3 more fledglings. This year, we have 2 additional Besra nests (incredibly, one is located right beside the sometimes noisy BK zipline, which indicates that they know they are safe there) -- which is concrete proof of a growing Besra population.
Another promising experiment at BK is our feeding station for the White-Browed Shortwing -- one of the most rarely seen birds in the Phils. of which only a very few photos previously existed (Desmond Allen's photo of a female was the best). I stumbled on the hunting ground of a female WBSW 2 months ago. We started a feeding station with live moths and earthworms, similar to what many bird lodges do in South America, Thailand, Costa Rica, etc. Now we see the female on a daily basis (the male is much shyer and has only appeared twice). Last week, we discovered them building a nest nearby, which is a sign of success. Hopefully, fledged juvenile WBSWs can be documented for the first time.
Some birders have questioned our private bird preserves and practices. But the proof is in the pudding! The populations of uncommon and even rare birds at BK and Capayas Creek are being protected and are thriving and growing in number -- and the locals in both areas are now aware of the need for bird conservation and are cooperating with our efforts. I wish everyone would focus on addressing the REAL threats to Philippine birds (hunting, trapping, tree-cutting, kaingin farming, destruction of habitats, all by non-birders) -- instead of trying to police other birders who are not real threats to birds at all. While the 2 bird preserves are experimental, I believe we should all try to do more things and different things from past conservation efforts which are clearly failing.
I apologize for my long comment and hope I did not get carried away by my passion.
Congrats again on your wonderful photos, Ely!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Mar 28, 2014 6:03:13 GMT
Wow, that is the best capture of a YBFD that I have seen! Thanks for sharing.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Mar 23, 2014 2:16:44 GMT
Well said, Ely! We must enjoy birding while we can still do the requisite trekking.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Mar 23, 2014 2:14:03 GMT
Nice captures, Martin.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Mar 22, 2014 3:28:55 GMT
Wonderful harvest and narrative, Ely! It was great to have you along on the trip. I'm still amazed that you had the energy to go back down the steep mountain to the Writhed Hornbill nest a second time.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Mar 16, 2014 11:34:41 GMT
Wonderful harvest, Ely! That was fun birding with you that day. The Flame-Crowned Flowerpecker is a rare capture! Congrats!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 17, 2014 7:53:30 GMT
This is awesome! Congrats Tonji and Sylvia! Thanks Tirso. I am so glad to have had a chance to photograph the eagle. It is great it is not exclusive, contrary to previously spread information. Tonji and Sylvia, I can confirm that access to the PE site is not and never was "exclusive". All birders are welcome. However, proper procedure should be followed when going there. (1) Sign in at barangay hall, as required by the barangay captain; (2) get clearance from the tribal leader of the indigenous people, who is deciding how much to charge as entrance fee (This is VERY IMPORTANT. On our first visit, we were delayed for 3-4 hours as the tribal leader and elders discussed with us proper procedures, because a birder had earlier visited the site without checking in with them, and they felt slighted); and (3) pay rental fees to the separate owners of the 2 vantage points. We have encouraged the owners to charge rentals so that they will be financially motivated to guard and protect the PE nest. I also encourage visiting birders to be generous with the porters, locals who serve food and local barako coffee, and the local kids. They will then be motivated to protect the PEs and nest. Finally, care should be taken to not give out detailed info on the location of the nest, in order to minimize the risk of 2-legged predators going there to shoot or trap the PEs. Thanks, Ramon
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 17, 2014 7:32:27 GMT
Nice harvest!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Feb 16, 2014 12:27:15 GMT
This is the female PE nesting in Mt. Apo (according to the local nest guardian who was with you that day). It appears that now that the nestling is bigger, the female leaves the nest for short intervals. When I saw the nest a month ago, the female never left the nest the entire 2 days I was there. She guarded the nestling 24/7 and waited for the male to bring them food.
Glad that you and Sylvia got to see the PE's also.
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