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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 13, 2011 1:57:42 GMT
Yes, that in-flight shot, poor though it is, does clinch the ID. It's interesting you chose to estimate the size in inches. As it happens a Grey-faced Buzzard averages about 17 inches long, nearly 50% bigger than your estimate. This is normal, and actually less of an error than many others I have heard! People are in general poor at estimating distances without a handy scale (in fact most people dramatically over-estimate distances when trying to assign a numerical value), and I include myself in this. It is when we compare against a similar object without putting a number to it that we get more accuracy. I try and estimate sizes by using phrases like "as big as a ..." By the way I'm really interested in the fact you're down in Bukidnon taking photographs. I don't know how many birders have lived there for lengthy periods, but it can't be many. You should keep up the good work, it has real value! I was going to say " as big as a spring chicken" but decided to give numbers ;D I guess giving a comparison will be more helpful. Thank you for the tip sir!
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 13, 2011 0:57:36 GMT
Welcome to Avian Lunatic World Thank you sir! I've been bit by the birding bug and it's become and itch that needs to be constantly scratched! ;D
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 4:18:17 GMT
Hi Neil. Welcome to the forum! I come originally from Bukidnon, though I'm based in Los Banos, Laguna. I hope I can get in touch with you and get help on birding sites there when I visit my folks in Musuan and Valencia. Sounds good sir! Neil
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 2:42:28 GMT
Fantastic shots. Thanks for sharing :-) Thanks Tina and Neil. It is always wonderful to take photos as close to the subject such as this one. How close were you, and how did you manage to get that close?
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 2:37:08 GMT
What a good shot ...amazing camouflage, how did you spot it? I nearly trod on it! Then it took off, easy to track it down after that. I can imagine why; it has excellent camouflage!
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 2:34:45 GMT
Nice shots of the woodpeckers! How far away were you?
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 2:28:01 GMT
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 2:27:26 GMT
Wow! Excellent close-ups of the nesting BKs. I gotta visit your farm sometime. Looking forward to your visit. The boss said she'll give a special rate for birders.
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 12, 2011 1:02:49 GMT
Sirs, I'd guess it was about 12 inches in height (?) Here are more photos that might help: I hope to get a better shot next time.
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 9, 2011 4:28:22 GMT
Can anyone ID this raptor? I came upon this as I was walking the farm this morning, around 6AM. It was really overcast and under a tree. thanks in advance!
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 9, 2011 4:24:14 GMT
Brahminy Kite Taken at around 6:30 AM, Dec 9, 2011 There's a pair that made a nest inside the farm and I was fortunate to chance upon them sunning themselves after last night's rain. EOS 40D, Sigma 150-500, Kenko Pro 300 1.4 TC I was able to slowly make my way until I was almost directly beneath its perch. I stayed there for several minutes and it just glanced at me from time to time, seemingly not alarmed. ISO 1600, f/8 @1/250 s Handheld The mate. Different perch, different bird, same scenario. I walked away after several minutes and it just stayed there. ;D ISO 400, f/8 @1/160 s Handheld
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 9, 2011 4:11:44 GMT
very interesting place, lots of quality species. thanks for sharing. .. Thank you sir! Will be posting more.
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 21:24:09 GMT
Neil, I just remembered - it is ex-Senator Manny Pelaez's hacienda. It is now a mini-resort and a forest plantation (unfortunately they plant trees that do not support birdlife and wildlife, such as mahogany and teak). Your area sounds like a good birding area. How long a drive is it from CDO? Does it require a lot of hiking (which I cannot do with my bad knees)? That'll be Mapawa Adventure Park Most of the posted photos were taken in the farm where I work. It is 1 1/2 hour drive from CDO. We've opened it up as a bread and breakfast place; rates includes airport transfer. The farm is 64 hectares and has designated bird zones with fruit-bearing trees. Ficus and fig trees also abound. There are also several lagoons/ponds that attract birds. It's mostly level ground so it should be an easy hike. On the other hand, the area with the hornbills and monarch requires about two hours of trekking up and down steep terrain. Neil
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 21:12:50 GMT
Wow, great photo data, Neil. The Nature Society of Singapore came up with a beautiful article about the usefulness of bats with nice pictures. Your place can be a field study center for nature awareness. That is what Neon and I are proposing with Corregidor Island. You can bring student and teachers in the area to learn in the big natural classroom. We can share with you the mechanics of the project. Maybe your Boss will be interested. :Dtelyds I'm sure he'll be! My email add is neilkonradiii@gmail.com
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 21:09:19 GMT
It's the Delias daiphana daiphana. (Pieridae family) Endemic to Mindanao. My javascript:attachAgreement()butterflywatching friend and I saw this butterfly in Baungon, San Vicente. They were too high. We only had documentary shots. You are so lucky to have shot it upclose. More please! :Dtelyd They're quite common here at the farm. I'll dig around for other photos. neil
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 3:30:17 GMT
Neil, do you easily see Monarch Flycatchers, Mindanao Hornbills, etc. (as in your first posting) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon? I tried some birding outside Cagayan de Oro in the former Senator's hacienda (I can't remember his name but he was a tall mestizo) - but had little luck. Would that be Migz Zubiri sir? Anyway, the times I went out, I was able to see the hornbills, etc... I actually observed four hornbills, what looked to be a flameback woodpecker and a serpent eagle the first time I went out (Sept). I have some not-so good photos that I could share if you'd like. ;D The monarch was with other smaller birds (mostly bulbuls, white eyes, scarlet minivet, nuthatch, elegant tit,flycatchers...) ;D
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 2:41:17 GMT
Sharing some photos of Bukidnon's flying foxes, locally known as "kabug": 40D, Canon 70-300 DO IS "A" prio @ f8, ISO 400 Handheld 1/2000 s 1/2500 s 1/640s There were hunters on the other side of the valley during my visit, that's why the bats were disturbed.
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 2:00:23 GMT
Another set: Blue Throated Bee eaters Canon 40D, 70-300 DO IS "A" prio @ f8, handheld All lined up! Waiting for dinner. Sigma 150-500, Kenko Pro 300 1.4 TC ISO 1600 at f8 Scratch that itch! Lunch is served! ;D
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 1:51:59 GMT
Ma'am Lyds, Here's one from MF: Olympus E510 + Zuiko 70-300, 300mm ISO 100 A priority , Handheld ;D
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Post by Neil Konrad III on Dec 8, 2011 1:40:24 GMT
Neil, which area are you working on having declared as a wildlife sanctuary? Very commendable. It's in the foothills of Kitanglad, still part of MF. The area is a series of forested valleys (the ridges are all cogon now, the aftermath of years of brushfires ) It hold an amazingly diverse (at least to my untrained eye) number of wildlife; monkeys,wild boar, civet cats, deer, Mindanao hornbill, serpent eagle, flying foxes, and an assortment of passerine birds. The Philippine Eagle Foundation has data that a released eagle stayed in the area for about 1 month; an good indicator of the area's biodiversity. Sadly, there had been reports of increased hunting activity in the area (wild boar and flying foxes). That's why we're moving as fast as we can to have it declared a protected area. Neil
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