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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Jan 28, 2008 13:21:42 GMT
I went to the SRP today at around the same time Alex L. and company spotted this bird, and was given the opportunity to take the following shots: EOS 40D; Canon 100-400L IS; f /7.1, 1/1600 Sec; ISO 400 +2/3 EV Compensation; Spot Metering; AI Servo; Hand held: Hope you find these shots acceptable. Thanks for looking! :-)
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Post by tina mallari on Jan 28, 2008 13:24:25 GMT
Nice captures Bobby !!!! The first photo is my favorite
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Post by mantarey on Jan 28, 2008 14:31:23 GMT
Acceptable These are great captures sir. They are not exactly large slow flyers like the great herons to get that much detail. Wonderful shots sir
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Post by steve pryor on Jan 28, 2008 14:39:38 GMT
Yes, great shots and will be helpful. I want Des and Tim to confirm my ID on this (though I do think that I have it right), that is, at least as to the species, but maybe not to the stage of development - I have said that it appears to be a first winter bird to me.
A note: In case anyone is totally confused by the correct taxonomic treatment of this Gull, all I can say is, JOIN THE ClUB!
This bird has been from time to time associated to the so-called "Herring Gull Complex", it has been associated to L. cachinnans, it has been associated to L. mongolicus, and it has been treated as a good species L. vegae. I am still not sure which particular taxon should be ranging in the Philippines, be it mongolicus mongolicus, or mongolicus vegae to cherry-pick just one possible treatment. I am reviewing the taxonomy of this bird and will have to consult Des, Arne and others about it before I am finished with it.
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Jan 28, 2008 14:52:03 GMT
Thanks Tina, thanks Rey! Glad you like them. :-)
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Jan 28, 2008 15:00:18 GMT
Thanks for dropping by Sir Steve! Glad I could help out (or maybe muddle the issue more?). The KG does not have plate of this bird, and Wiki does mention both Vega and Mongolians being associated with the "Herring Gull Complex" - but the Vega seems to be the one that could reach our shores. BTW, I just called it Mongolian coz that's what Alex Loinaz calls his bird shots.
VEGA GULLS (Wikipedia):
Vega Gulls breed in north-east Siberia and winter in Japan, Korea, south and east China and Taiwan. They are regularly seen on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska and may breed there. There are also records from other parts of western Alaska. In their winter range they are typically found in harbours, on rocky shores and at river mouths.
They are similar to Herring Gulls but are slightly darker grey above. The head is heavily streaked with brown in winter, especially on the back and sides of the neck forming a collar. The legs are usually bright pink. Eye colour is variable but tends to be dark with a red orbital ring. There are rarely any dark marks on the pale yellow bill.
Vega Gulls in the north-western part of their breeding range are paler above. They are sometimes considered to form a separate subspecies Larus vegae birulai (Birula's Gull).
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Post by steve pryor on Jan 28, 2008 15:59:25 GMT
Bobby, "The KG does not have a plate of this bird" Yes, it does! Plate 22 - The bird called "Herring Gull" is what you have to look at since the race associated then to argentatus, and the race depicted in the plate itself, should be vegae (if you go and read the text on P. 122).
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Post by JP Cariño on Jan 28, 2008 16:03:42 GMT
great aerial shots bobby! i like the first one as well
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Post by Martin Alvendia on Jan 28, 2008 16:49:13 GMT
HUWOW!!! Great Shots in all Bobby!
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Post by Lydia Robledo on Jan 28, 2008 16:55:44 GMT
Magnificent shot Bobby. When I was reading the report at WBCP forum, I was wondering where you were and why you missed this one. Glad to see your post today. Congratulations. telyd
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Post by Eric Patdu on Jan 28, 2008 17:17:10 GMT
GREAAAATTTTT SHOTS!!!! Two thumbs up!
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Post by Farmer Nestor on Jan 28, 2008 20:55:59 GMT
GRRRRREEEAT Shot Bobby congrats to you and to panyerong Alex
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jan 28, 2008 23:06:13 GMT
Great catch of an amazingly huge flyer, Bobby! Big congrats! Now, we just have to wait for Neon's haul.... he's somewhere remote now, and I dreamt last night that he got a rarity photo too. ;D
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Jan 29, 2008 0:37:26 GMT
Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat! (Thank you very much everyone). I hope to get closer shots of this bird today in a mixed environment to give us all an idea of this bird's size. :-)
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Post by Agerico M. De Villa on Jan 29, 2008 5:36:35 GMT
I like the first photograph too. "Good enough? This is okey?," says the gull. Congratulations, this another winner for sure!
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Jan 29, 2008 12:21:32 GMT
As promised, I herein present the Gull among Black-headed Gulls to give us an idea of it's size:EOS 40D; Canon 100-400L IS with Sigma 2X Teleconverter; 1/00 Sec.; f/8 @ ISO 200; Bean bag - shot from car:
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jan 29, 2008 12:46:09 GMT
OMG.... that fellow looks like Yao Ming standing beside pre-schoolers! Great shot , Bobby.... it indeed gives us a sense of scale and thus we can appreciate better the enormity of the bird. Must be a sight to behold on the ground or in flight!
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Jan 29, 2008 13:23:01 GMT
Oh, yes indeed! It's become the leader of the flock, I think. When it flies off, the rest follow it too! To the uninitiated, the bird can easily be mistaken for an eagle or raptor of sorts. I waited for it to stand alone, but every time it moves, a group would follow it - I don't have a clean solo shot of this one yet. This is one of those times when the Sigmonster will show its true potential! Wish you were here Master! :-) Here's another angle of the bird, this time in the middle of its mates:
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Post by tina mallari on Jan 29, 2008 15:30:29 GMT
That's one big bird !!! Reminds me of the eurasian spoonbill with the egrets that Nestor and Alex L took, the egrets all looked so miniscule compared to that spoonbill
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Post by Reyno Rosete on Jan 29, 2008 20:32:08 GMT
Look pretty much like the Laughing Gulls I see around my neck of the woods. Excellent captures as always Bobby !!!
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