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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 7 >> Birding the Roof of the Philippines (Cordillera) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Birding the Roof of the Philippines (Cordillera)

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Just completed an over 700 km swing through Manila-Baguio-Benguet-Mountain Province-Ifugao-Nueva Vizcaya-Manila to check out road conditions, accommodation availability and birding potential in the Cordillera highlands. I carried an altimeter to record elevations, and mine calibrated well (+0.5% variance) vs. the highest highway point marker (7400 ft) at Atok, Benguet.

Birding in the highlands presents a whole new set of challenges - the intermittent fog at elev. 6000 ft and above makes visibility (and hence photography) a very difficult affair. Also, if the camera gear is not allowed to "acclimatize" to the outside temperature, the lenses and camera viewfinder fog up, taking many minutes to clear. Most noticeably, huge (and heavy) lenses seem to acquire more mass in the thin air and up/down terrain of the highlands.

Still, the amazing variety of rarely photographed avian species makes it worthwhile to visit and revisit the high Cordilleras. No serious birding at this point, just a scouting trek, but I managed to capture some interesting birds. Hopefully, I can return to the pin-pointed potential sites before the rainy season starts in earnest.
Flame-crowned Flowerpecker (a Philippine endemic, female) Scientific name - Dicaeum anthonyi Habitat - Uncommon in all levels in montane forest above 800 m. [20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window] NOTE - possibly among first photos of this species taken in the wild; ID was revised from Pachycephala philippinensis after thorough analysis by bird experts.
IMG_0025-800x600.jpg

Flame-crowned Flowerpecker
(a Philippine endemic, female)

Scientific name - Dicaeum anthonyi

Habitat - Uncommon in all levels in montane forest above 800 m.

[20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window]

NOTE - possibly among first photos of this species taken in the wild; ID was revised from Pachycephala philippinensis after thorough analysis by bird experts.

 Flame-crowned Flowerpecker (a Philippine endemic, female) Scientific name - Dicaeum anthonyi Habitat - Uncommon in all levels in montane forest above 800 m. [20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window] NOTE - possibly among first photos of this species taken in the wild; ID was revised from Pachycephala philippinensis after thorough analysis by bird experts.
IMG_0030-800x600.jpg

Flame-crowned Flowerpecker
(a Philippine endemic, female)

Scientific name - Dicaeum anthonyi

Habitat - Uncommon in all levels in montane forest above 800 m.

[20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window]

NOTE - possibly among first photos of this species taken in the wild; ID was revised from Pachycephala philippinensis after thorough analysis by bird experts.

 Citrine Canary-Flycatcher Scientific name - Culicicapa helianthea Habitat - Understory usually in montane forest. [20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window]
IMG_0005-800x600.jpg

Citrine Canary-Flycatcher

Scientific name - Culicicapa helianthea

Habitat - Understory usually in montane forest.

[20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window]

 Striated Swallow Scientific name - Hirundo striolata Habitat - Gorges and canyons, may also be found in open country, even in towns. [1DM2 + 400 5.6L, hand held]
KZ2L3890-800x600.jpg

Striated Swallow

Scientific name - Hirundo striolata

Habitat - Gorges and canyons, may also be found in open country, even in towns.

[1DM2 + 400 5.6L, hand held]

 Chestnut-faced Babbler (a Philippine endemic) Scientific name - Stachyris whiteheadi Habitat - All levels of montane forest, usually above 800 m. [20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window]
IMG_0018-720x540.jpg

Chestnut-faced Babbler
(a Philippine endemic)

Scientific name - Stachyris whiteheadi

Habitat - All levels of montane forest, usually above 800 m.

[20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, hand held supported by car window]
Striated Swallow Scientific name - Hirundo striolata Habitat - Gorges and canyons, may also be found in open country, even in towns. [20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, on tripod]
IMG_0070-800x600.jpg

Striated Swallow

Scientific name - Hirundo striolata

Habitat - Gorges and canyons, may also be found in open country, even in towns.

[20D + 500 f/4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, on tripod]

 BALD-HEADED SHUTTER-CLICKER (Birdus lunaticus): This specimen enjoys the view of the 8th Wonder of the World, as the fog rolls in over the Banaue Rice Terraces. [350D + Sigma 10-20]
IMG_9387-1500x1000.jpg

BALD-HEADED SHUTTER-CLICKER (Birdus lunaticus): This specimen enjoys the view of the "8th Wonder of the World," as the fog rolls in over the Banaue Rice Terraces.

[350D + Sigma 10-20]


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