My Best Philippine Endemics Photo Gallery by romy ocon at pbase.com

My Best Philippine Endemics

This gallery is triggered by the question: "If I'm allowed to show only my better endemic birds among my thousands of avian photos, which will I pick?"

Tough job - making the choice is almost as hard as taking the photos themselves. But I forced myself to narrow down the list, ticking off some birds
that took me hours of trekking and waiting to be able to capture. The criteria I used placed heavier emphasis on rarity of the photo, printability to minimum size of 8"x12",
and special shooting circumstances (difficulty of capture). The technical aspects (exposure/quality of light, composition, sharpness, background, etc.) became
secondary. This list, arranged in alphabetical order, is my version of boxing's pound-for-pound best, and thus may change from time to time. Comments are welcome.

pages 1 2 3 ALL

Ashy Ground-Thrush-IMG_0163	Balicassiao-IMG_5891.jpg	Bicolored_Flowerpecker-IMG_0786.jpg	Bicolored_Flowerpecker-IMG_0778.jpg	Black-and-White_Triller-IMG_2970.jpg
Black-chinned_Fruit-Dove-IMG_6601.jpg	Blue-headed_Fantail-IMG_1052.jpg	Blue-naped_Parrot-IMG_6300.jpg	Blue_Paradise-Flycatcher-IMG_7046.jpg	Buzzing Flowerpecker-IMG_2218
Chestnut-faced_Babbler-IMG_1972.jpg	Colasisi-IMG_8137.jpg	Coleto-IMG_6141.jpg	Elegant_Tit-IMG_3058.jpg	Flame-crowned_Flowerpecker-IMG_0030.jpg
Flaming_Sunbird-IMG_5094.jpg	Guaiabero-IMG_9926.jpg	Green Racquet-Tail-IMG_0896.jpg	Handsome_Sunbird-IMG_4250.jpg	Indigo-banded_Kingfisher-IMG_8158.jpg
Lowland_White-eye-IMG_1166.jpg	RO729670-1500x1000.jpg	Luzon_Hornbill-IMG_4705.jpg	Metallic-winged_Sunbird-IMG_8278.jpg	Mountain_Shrike-IMG_3184.jpg
Naked-faced_Spiderhunter-IMG_0005	Olive-backed_Flowerpecker-IMG_5682.jpg	Palawan_Flowerpecker-IMG_7194	Philippine_Bulbul-IMG_0686.jpg	Philippine_Coucal-IMG_0001.jpg
Philippine_Cuckoo-Dove-IMG_2810.jpg	Philippine_Duck-KZ2L5246.jpg	Philippine_Falconet-IMG_8945.jpg	Philippine_Hawk-Cuckoo-IMG_3608.jpg	Philippine_Hawk-Eagle-IMG_0536.jpg
Philippine_Hawk-Owl-IMG_6628.jpg	Philippine_Nightjar-IMG_6058.jpg	Philippine_Serpent-Eagle-IMG_2348.jpg	Philippine_Woodpecker-IMG_0159.jpg	Plain_Bush-Hen-IMG_0673.jpg
Pygmy_Flowerpecker-IMG_6566	Red-created_Malkoha-IMG_4529.jpg	Red-keeled_Flowerpecker-IMG_8083.jpg	Rufous_Hornbill-IMG_8115.jpg	Sooty_Woodpecker-IMG_7894.jpg
Spotted_Wood-Kingfisher-IMG_9875.jpg	Striped_Flowerpecker-IMG_7230.jpg	Stripe-headed_Rhabdornis-IMG_0991.jpg	White-eared_Brown-Dove-IMG_1250.jpg	White-fronted_Tit-IMG_2700.jpg
Yellow-breasted_Fruit-Dove-IMG_4616	Yellowish_White-eye-IMG_5661.jpg

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comment |

ed		20-Mar-2009 10:58
Ka rony !sana po eh mabahaginan nyo ako ng ilang pixes ng ibon na maari kong gamitin sa aking projects.ako po kasi e ammatuer na photographer at ornithologist e gusto ko po sanang makabili ng magandang camera kaya lang e masyado pong mahal ang mga gamit.Ako po sana ay nagbabalak na gumawa ng mga souvenir items na me mga print ng ibon.Lilikumin ko po sana ang tutubuin ko para makabi ng gamit at para na rin po maipagpatuloy ko ang advocacy ko sa nature.e2 po ang cp.# ko ,09297841866 at ym,wilfredolingon@yahoo.com.maraming salamat po!more power!

Xander		28-Feb-2009 12:29
excellent pictures that taken from our mother land- Philippines

Danny Tuason		29-Jan-2009 14:58
Excellent gallery Romy! Big vote from me and my pet lutino cockatiel Yuki!!! Danny :)

Jay		24-Jul-2008 08:35
Great! Your gallery is instrumental in our endeavor to establish a sanctuary in Balanga City and in our campaign to educate Bataeños on the wonders of creation and the importance of taking care of these birds and their habitat as part of Philippines' rich heritage. Your photos has inspired our people. Keep up the good work Sir!Godspeed!

felix robles jr		13-May-2008 09:21
perseverance reaps great result, good reference . . .may class avis soars high. . . keep it up, partner!

yen		25-Mar-2008 23:31
Nalingaw ko sa imo'ng mga retrato sa mga unay'ng langgam sa atong nasod! Daghan'g salamat sa imo'ng pagkugi. Bansay ka'ng maniniyot.

michael vincent robles		14-Mar-2008 16:26
What a shot all are beautiful and unique with natural touch of environment.

michael vincent robles		14-Mar-2008 16:25
What a shot all are beautiful and unique with natural touch of environment.

Eleanor		02-Mar-2008 08:02
Love your photos! Are there some more?

GLORIA FOWLER		13-Feb-2008 23:13
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!! SO GLAD TO A PART OF THIS WEB SITE... MY MOM LOVES IT TOO.. THE PICTURES ALMOST LOOK LIKE YOU ARE THERE.

Esa Ervasti		19-Dec-2007 12:03
Beautiful and remarkable work for rare birds Big vote.

Guest		07-Dec-2007 15:45
superb.

mars michael p.		02-Nov-2007 08:00
Very nice photos of birds ha.. I am inform by your work that those birds are still existing.. Romy! let us help protect our birds as well as our mother nature..Thanks...

Antonio Aguado		13-Oct-2007 08:48
It must have taken so much effort to get such beautiful pictures. You have preserved ror posterity so much of our natural treasures, which may sadly become only a memory someday. Our best wishes to you for this noble work.

Peter Ericsson		06-Oct-2007 08:20
I enjoyed each one of the images in this gallery. All images are of highest quality and living in a tropical country myself I know the hardship involved in capturing the images. Very nicely done!

Airen Kalley		12-Aug-2007 01:58
Hello Romy, You have a wonderful gallery. I am working on indigenous crop protection practices of Bontoc Farmers on pests of sweet potato and one of the biological control being used is the lanius validirostris to prey on worms and to ward off rice birds in the field. I have been waiting for the bird to appear in the farm but it didn't appear. Luckily, you had a very good shot of it. May i then seek your permission to use your photo in my research.

propjerry		26-Jul-2007 04:18
Checked Yves' gallery of bird photos. Indicates he is not a birder. He should have noticed that the birds he has photographed have behavior far more accessible to being photographed than the birds you have photographed. I wonder how Yves would have fared against the red-keeled or Philippine pygmy flowerpecker which are certainly not sitting ducks; of course, I do not expect that he knows even where to find such birds.

Guest		19-Jul-2007 02:30
hello romy, i really really appreciate your work :), cause I'm a nature lover!!!!! if only my parents support me to become a biologist> wildlife conservationist> ornithologist, I will do my most excellent part in the contribution of our Philippine endemics.. but the FACT is I'm a graduating nursing student huhuhu.... -GEL-

Guest		23-May-2007 14:24
Amazing photo's!! You should be extremely proud of yourself Romy

Guest		06-May-2007 04:34
Romy, you have single-handedly collected images of almost all the bird species in the Philippines, (at least those found in Luzon and the northern part of the country) and no other photographer is even anywhere near in second place! Hope you do get a book out soon, a few books in fact! I think only someone who's ignorant about how immensely significant your work is (and how priceless many of these photos are) to an entire nation that can say he has better photos than yours - just because he's a good photographer who's taken lots of tame and semi-tame, and mostly common temperate animals!

Guest		08-Feb-2007 15:30
What a picture,i'lsell my camera!

Guest		07-Jan-2007 04:49
Incredible!

jong		17-Oct-2006 12:32
awesome pix mr. romy very useful for iec props. cheers!

Guest		19-Sep-2006 04:44
I love your bird photography Romy. I'm amazed at the variety of beautiful birds you have in the Phillipines.

chris		26-Aug-2006 09:30
great shots romy! hope you can picture some of the philippines critically endangered birds that you haven't shot yet. more power!

Guest		28-Jul-2006 10:40
Your photos are superb and the notes are educational! Super! Sylvia

Guest		23-Jul-2006 21:10
Simply suberb photographs Romy!

Macky		19-Jul-2006 05:21
Beautiful shots! I thoroughly enjoyed all the pictures. Keep up the good work.

Guest		19-Jul-2006 05:21
Beautiful shots! I thoroughly enjoyed all the pictures. Keep up the good work.

Guest		18-Jul-2006 15:13
Some excellent captures among this gallery. Congratulations! Ron Green/www.avianpix.com

Guest		18-Jul-2006 03:58
Haay Ka Romy, Here I go again. Gawa ka na ng libro. Don't wait a long time. The habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. You have to give the wake up call . A beautiful book of colorful Philippine birds is like a symphony of bird calls, like trumpets that will sound the alarm. You can do a series of books. You have more than enough for a first book. Sigue na. Isa pa, you must never forget, we are on borrowed time. You are at your best. This is the best time. Cheerps, 'te Lyd >;<

Guest		14-Jul-2006 10:37
great captures Romy of beautiful birds , well done , keep the exelent work!

csmallari		13-May-2006 13:58
Hi Romy. I can just imagine how difficult it is for you to choose 25 of your best birds since all of your captures are excellent shots. You are truly an excellent bird photographer and a wonderful person too. GMV !!!!

Guest		06-Apr-2006 11:08
Great Gallery, Nice Work. TFS Pedro

Guest		11-Mar-2006 05:57
Romy, your work gets my vote. I think all your pictures are "natural" unlike the other site that claims to be better! Your work is definitely a lot better! Keep up the great work. Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Dave		11-Mar-2006 05:35
Your pictures get my vote! They are a lot "natural" and a lot more beautiful than the site that claims to be "better". Keep up the great work. Iba ang Pinoy!

Guest		11-Mar-2006 05:30
Romy, your work gets my vote. I think all your pictures are "natural" unlike the other site that claims to be better! Your work is definitely a lot better! Keep up the great work. Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Antje Schulte		05-Mar-2006 10:29
Vey impressive work, Romy! They all need to be published somewhere big!

Ton, Ben & Rob Nagtegaal		05-Mar-2006 08:47
These are beautiful pictures making me want to go to the Philippines. Great job. Gr Rob

Nida		24-Jan-2006 10:40
You really did an excellent job, treasure for all of us and the succeeding generations. I also agree with one comment that it could be much nicer if the local name is also included, e.g. sabukot in Tagalog, or ____in Bisaya. Thank you very much. Nids

Jeff King		01-Jan-2006 16:51
Happy New Year Romy. I found my way to your pictures while searching for info in the Sigma 300-800. I am very impressed with your gallery, lots of hours of hard work. I love the Philippine Falconet, great background blur. Also the White throated Kingfisher in flight. I have been deciding between the Canon 500 or 600mm lenses. After seeing these pics I must give the Sigma strong consideration, this is not your ordinary Sigma. Thanks for the information on the lens and good luck with future endeavors. Jeff King, Los Angeles CA

Paul Ballen		24-Nov-2005 14:02
Hey, Your bird pics are really awesome. Have a look at some of my pics- they are extremely different to yours. www.paulballen.blogspot.com Thanks, Paul Ballen

dpacia		08-Nov-2005 04:49
thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures of endemic birds from the philippines. it reminded me instantly of my childhood days in macabebe, pampanga. i thought all those birds are all gone now but that western seaboard of the town is a treasure. it is a good thing you reminded me i will have to call the attention of local authorities to protect that area. again thank you and keep up the good work.

henrywong		07-Nov-2005 04:05
excellent birds gallery !!

Moshe Torgovitsky		06-Nov-2005 07:50
Very impressive, beautiful colors, nice pictures - good job, I'm voting.

Karen Moen		06-Nov-2005 06:33
Not only is your gallery a feast for the eyes , but you loaded it with information that teaches and informs. Thank you for all the effort you put into your gallery. Earns my vote.

lou_rozensteins		31-Oct-2005 11:31
Great bird shot ..... Well done.

akira		19-Oct-2005 05:34
hi romy.............. im a great fan of your works on philippines' birds. i've checked yves' works and i must say that your works are different from his. you can't compare oranges from apples. I think and i know that your photos are great!!! keep up the good work and more power. mabuhay kabayan!!!

romy ocon		01-Oct-2005 05:31
Hi Yves, Thanks for dropping by... and you're right of course, your pics are much better.

Yves P.		01-Oct-2005 00:14
Not bad but I think mine are better http://www.pbase.com/yp8

Bryan Wilson		22-Sep-2005 17:15
W O W - - BREATHTAKING - - HUMBLING (i too have a camera however NEVER EVER have i had this most wonderful experience with mine) Thank you very much for letting me look at you gallery - it is on my bookmark so I can come back and enjoy often..... Thanks again Bryan Wilson

romy ocon		15-Sep-2005 04:15
Thanks for dropping by, Lydia. The location is already embedded inside each pic, while the date of capture appears in the EXIF data.

Guest		15-Sep-2005 02:26
Environmental treasures! That's what you are so priveleged to see, 'capture' and bless your soul, share. The endemics are part of our environmental heritage. Please include the places and the date you photographed these awesome creatures. It will helps us know the seasons when they appear and where and what kind of habitat they frequent. Romy, I wish you would shoot Philippine butterflies, too. It is easier. No pain in the neck. : ) Lots of cheerps. Lydia

gdrhdgfhdth		09-Sep-2005 00:29
Hello, I've recently seen your fantastic photos of the Luzon Hornbill @ FM. Your gallery is incredible. My favorite is the shot of the Phil.Serpent Eagle in flight.

Rod Gilbert		04-Sep-2005 14:27
some very nice pictures Romy! Love the reed warbler. Rod

Guest		02-Sep-2005 03:43
I never thought there are birds like these in the Phils. I hope generations to come will still see these alive, nevertheless your pics will give them that once there was a beauty like this. Thanks for the pics, well cherished!!!

amo		17-Aug-2005 01:59
Roomy Very nicly done. You've got a great talent. I know it is almost impossible to work with these birds. Taking pictures like these requires very hardwork and talent.

Ron S. Bernardo		06-Aug-2005 11:17
Romy, thank you for all the hardwork documenting these birds species in the Philippines. These are awesome images & a good idea to put up your twenty five best birds! It's time your own gallery hit the most popular Pbase chart. Hardwork rewarded, Mabuhay! VOTED!

romy ocon		28-Jul-2005 07:46
Thanks, Art. It was really difficult for me to eliminate some bird pics, especially those that I had a lot of difficulty to capture.

art fuentes		28-Jul-2005 06:23
these are all very impressive sir, although i think your shot of the whiskered tern with its outstretched wings reflected on the water also deserves to be in the top 25 :)

romy ocon		17-Jul-2005 09:39
Good idea, Mike. I'll think of a way how to do it in a punchy and concise manner.

Mike		17-Jul-2005 05:04
Romy, it would be nice if you put a short note beside each bird to explain why it made the top 25 list. Looking forward to more photos. The great migration will start soon. Mike :)

romy ocon		17-Jul-2005 04:28
Thanks for the comments, Regie.

Guest		17-Jul-2005 04:07
Hi Romy! These amazing images will be in our history of Philippine photography! Don't stop on capturing these beautiful species. Keep shootin!

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