photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
Sam Woods | all galleries >> Galleries >> PHILIPPINES:Birds > Steere's Pitta
previous | next
13 February 2007 Sam Woods

Steere's Pitta

PICOP, Mindanao

I was standing on a forested limestone outcrop in PICOP, Mindanao in search of Mindanao Wattled Broadbill while on a recce with my local guide Zardo. As we waited around hoping for the broadbill flock to appear I could hear one of these glittering pittas calling downslope, but thought I'd failed to tempt it in, when it stopped calling. My attention was distracted from the pitta when a fast-moving mixed flock came through suddenly-just the sort of scene that might produce the "wattled one". Sure enough, just a few minutes later there it was, a superb broadbill sporting the strange bright blue eye wattles that makes it extra special. My first thought was to try desperately to get a photo of it, although as I swung my 'scope into action the pitta called extremely close to me, and I soon picked it's turquoise breast glowing back at me from a nearby tree. It was now decision time - try and get the broadbill on film, something that not many have managed, or go for the safer option of the pitta? Well I guess I bottled it, as I went for the pitta, but when I turned again and saw this brilliant azure denizen of the forest floor staring back at me I simply couldn't resist.


other sizes: small medium original auto
share
Guest 03-Jan-2010 21:58
lovely picture .. aka.
Azure-breasted Pitta Pitta steerii
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment