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romy ocon | profile | all galleries >> Wild Birds of the Philippines (Photos) >> Bird Galleries by Location >> Archives of Older Galleries by Location >> Archives - Part 13 >> Red Crossbill at historic Bessang Pass tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Red Crossbill at historic Bessang Pass

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I've been searching for this strange looking bird in the Cordilleras for several years now. I knew it inhabits montane pine forests. When I passed through historic Bessang Pass
last week on my way back to Manila from Mt. Data, I noticed that the pine forest at 3000 - 4700 feet is quite extensive. A business meeeting in nearby La Union allowed me
to visit Bessang Pass anew this week, and I finally saw the Red Crossbill. It's one tough bird to capture, as it's in continuous motion while foraging among the pine cones.
Thus, these captures are only of record quality. This bird becomes my 265th lifer. :)

Bessang Pass is a strategic gap (circa 5000 feet ASL) at the mountains of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. It's the site of one of the bloodiest battles of WWII.

More info about Bessang Pass (from en.wikipilipinas.org).


Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra luzoniensis, endemic race, immature) Habitat - Restricted to pine forests in the Cordillera and Zambales mountains. Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/320 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light
Red_Crossbill-IMG_3368

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra luzoniensis, endemic race, immature)

Habitat - Restricted to pine forests in the Cordillera and Zambales mountains.

Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC,
700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/320 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light

 Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra luzoniensis, endemic race, immature) Habitat - Restricted to pine forests in the Cordillera and Zambales mountains. Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/320 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light
IMG_3353-1200x800.jpg

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra luzoniensis, endemic race, immature)

Habitat - Restricted to pine forests in the Cordillera and Zambales mountains.

Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC,
700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/320 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light

 Sulphur-billed Nuthatch (Sitta oenochlamys, a Philippine endemic) Habitat - lowland to montane forest, the only true creeping Philippine bird. Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/250 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light
IMG_3272-900x600.jpg

Sulphur-billed Nuthatch (Sitta oenochlamys, a Philippine endemic)

Habitat - lowland to montane forest, the only true creeping Philippine bird.

Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC,
700 mm, f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/250 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light

 Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus philippensis, a Philippine endemic, immature) Habitat - Uncommon in forest from the lowlands to over 1900 m. Shooting Info - Elev. 975 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/400 sec, bean bag, manual exposure in available light
IMG_3614-1200x800.jpg

Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus philippensis, a Philippine endemic, immature)

Habitat - Uncommon in forest from the lowlands to over 1900 m.

Shooting Info - Elev. 975 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC,
700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/400 sec, bean bag, manual exposure in available light

 Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius, migrant) Habitat - Rocky exposed slopes, road cuts, and along rocky streams and rivers. Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/320 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light
IMG_3207-900x600.jpg

Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius, migrant)

Habitat - Rocky exposed slopes, road cuts, and along rocky streams and rivers.

Shooting Info - Elev. 1390 m ASL, Bessang Pass, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, January 28, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC,
700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/320 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light

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