tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4638159655137039602024-03-17T16:07:38.890+08:00maiabird's brainmaiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-61389345410518858012023-04-08T16:43:00.000+08:002023-04-08T16:43:00.686+08:00A "Late to the Party" Twitch<p>It was towards mid-February when photos of a Eurasian Oystercatcher began popping up on my Facebook feed. A lone individual had been spotted in the mudflats of Tanza, Navotas. This was the fourth sighting of this Near Threatened bird in the Philippines which is known to spend the winter months in eastern China and along the western coast of Korea.</p><p>The oystercatcher, a wader with a bright orange beak, has been on my "wish to see" list of birds ever since I opened the Kennedy guide but never really thought I'd get a chance to see it in the Philippines. So when the days, then the weeks ticked by with me having no extra time to go see the rare bird, I slowly accepted my fate that I was to dip on this extremely rare chance of seeing it.</p><p>But then... I couldn't stand it any longer. </p><p>I'm sure many, if not all birders, know the tugging feeling of a possible lifer just waiting for you to come see it. But alongside that feeling comes the silent dread whispering <i>"It may have already left though..." </i> Call it the Id and Superego of birding.... the tiny angel and devil on each shoulder each whispering in your ear: <i>"Go for it! You deserve it!" </i>cheers the angel, <i>"It's a migrant! It's probably flying away right now!" </i>sneers the devil.</p><p>What the heck. I asked Djop to make arrangements with Alfie of DENR-NCR for the following day I got the itch to twitch the Oystercatcher. Thankfully, Alfie was kind enough to update us on the bird (it was still there!!!) and accommodated us the following day. This was already March 22! More than a month after its first sighting!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BjL1J2TqiIuFi8WegKfJdSOBCzI2EOIBNpeoXZhNe6JP3fO2qG6-Jc1VWWBnPBHqp4HQTn39ssBv4eDppTdm8zY436GdeIJB4uYD_jH_koTkThP09iJhyAHS4ZR1Nj7_TvGn_30bxHpMjBy1RlyslNdP-63FUOrhAxFepMp7o2evZgN1rrSMz1XWdA/s2048/IMG-5621.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BjL1J2TqiIuFi8WegKfJdSOBCzI2EOIBNpeoXZhNe6JP3fO2qG6-Jc1VWWBnPBHqp4HQTn39ssBv4eDppTdm8zY436GdeIJB4uYD_jH_koTkThP09iJhyAHS4ZR1Nj7_TvGn_30bxHpMjBy1RlyslNdP-63FUOrhAxFepMp7o2evZgN1rrSMz1XWdA/w400-h266/IMG-5621.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lifer! Photo by Djop</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMmMHNFhB1oRk2XN40MNZujMcIscbv_nwXDngFjLE-g_eCPUu56Q-uIsQQorWaC59TxZJqoQkD8H8FxsBojwmXEn79HWpbAtOuSjSSxCHy79V8PtmzlBSutQ5LnHF3P9cNEl35JHly0ul6aUEvKS0wzCkhjtfuITrnk1mRi94gz_k8ASA7i001rsHfA/s3024/IMG-9811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMmMHNFhB1oRk2XN40MNZujMcIscbv_nwXDngFjLE-g_eCPUu56Q-uIsQQorWaC59TxZJqoQkD8H8FxsBojwmXEn79HWpbAtOuSjSSxCHy79V8PtmzlBSutQ5LnHF3P9cNEl35JHly0ul6aUEvKS0wzCkhjtfuITrnk1mRi94gz_k8ASA7i001rsHfA/w400-h400/IMG-9811.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digibinned by me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>After a walk and a short boat ride, I was staring at a mega-lifer: Eurasian Oystercatcher! I breathed out a sigh of relief and literally shed some tears at our successful twitch. I honestly thought with my luck, we weren't going to see it. But there it was! I was still deserving of such success in birding!</p><p>It was my first time in the site and was amazed at the waders that were there. A flock of Pied Avocets greeted us when we arrived, as well as some Black-headed Gulls, lots of Pacific Golden Plovers, godwits, egrets, terns and many others foraging in the mudflats and shallows. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KxHIiIV23Mu-j0c_HlmZyw5zRQKn0IGwfcMdKnKyAByZBKOC_o1bbB48tItL-8UTgaRrOwdQDdQh_mqeA7YVXwrEIfg77WleqOpSTYTmWq6I4-YzqN1xcarCYmNZ4jSwjym8soWXJhCzq44YuPSf1CZradhmFPv_U3czUpnN4ApmHw-YeK-7l5nWvw/s2048/IMG-5631.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KxHIiIV23Mu-j0c_HlmZyw5zRQKn0IGwfcMdKnKyAByZBKOC_o1bbB48tItL-8UTgaRrOwdQDdQh_mqeA7YVXwrEIfg77WleqOpSTYTmWq6I4-YzqN1xcarCYmNZ4jSwjym8soWXJhCzq44YuPSf1CZradhmFPv_U3czUpnN4ApmHw-YeK-7l5nWvw/w400-h266/IMG-5631.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Avocets. Photo by Djop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Our being on a boat piqued the curiosity of some of my birder friends (come on, guys...) So, for everyone's information, THIS was how far we were from the bird while on the boat:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQroVSX_RNV8FAio2u2JIzxNLOtpSmLmyRNsl27ZzUd0GgOxZD7OS_eUrPcMSc5UkDCFiTczmJd3YzS8SlYaqrDBCDKJhMaoEeFKjo67ItacHVFpCEu09muQBnV0ZtnqwBSshpf8XGD2-Uoa9FDSbehlX_87v460rlRYezPdAtYeI6hil3dRyBZiXhFA/s3577/IMG-9804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="3577" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQroVSX_RNV8FAio2u2JIzxNLOtpSmLmyRNsl27ZzUd0GgOxZD7OS_eUrPcMSc5UkDCFiTczmJd3YzS8SlYaqrDBCDKJhMaoEeFKjo67ItacHVFpCEu09muQBnV0ZtnqwBSshpf8XGD2-Uoa9FDSbehlX_87v460rlRYezPdAtYeI6hil3dRyBZiXhFA/w400-h300/IMG-9804.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">See the bird? I can, I was there. <br />I mean, honestly...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3E52lL287vq7lfjzyrmlaDVczqkrpDR2b2LJtsZjOKMLbs3_7h0EEZA5jafxDKEWKd8kUNfdPhn5iUpgvRvcfmR3PuSyYye7jz0lDcQXbecnPpEpYccr4HySTKwWEfPTjw5bv5ogFoIqrkOYB_3jCWLILOZJJ7y8CYXrXRms_1sSwAPNzctNKIccfA/s4032/IMG-9800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3E52lL287vq7lfjzyrmlaDVczqkrpDR2b2LJtsZjOKMLbs3_7h0EEZA5jafxDKEWKd8kUNfdPhn5iUpgvRvcfmR3PuSyYye7jz0lDcQXbecnPpEpYccr4HySTKwWEfPTjw5bv5ogFoIqrkOYB_3jCWLILOZJJ7y8CYXrXRms_1sSwAPNzctNKIccfA/s320/IMG-9800.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the closest we went <br />so as not to flush the object of our twitch away.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The Oystercatcher stayed unperturbed the whole time we were there observing and photographing it. Yes, a birdwatcher and a bird photographer in a boat to see the bird. It stayed there still nonchalant of us while our little banca was paddled back to the mangrove area to disembark, probably wondering why there were birders gawking at it under the broiling midday sun. </div><div><br /></div><div>We left after a few minutes as I was starting to get a migraine from the heat... it was a successful twitch already! As we made our way back to Alfie waiting for us by the mangroves, Djop spotted a "biggish" wader in the shallows. I quickly took a look through my bins, the haze making me more dizzy, whispered "Some knot. Let's go PLEASE!" feeling my brain slowly being fried already.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the ride back to Quezon City, a quick review of the photos showed it was indeed a Great Knot! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiSqK2DaQqut4sK5NVjE-2IABSGT-5X9terUpKXZr7MigMpA77XDx8PEWPx3jf9JGU93h74_EyyJDNxvqiDHMvaj-0WpMRfM7o6T1ZHTa0NdLG33oHx3Q-QYBwPrtDeY6Uqpl_a0EsHTryFF9TweFmhoeBRuLuqMecuwzwFVADvmWWQ4w8ItC5XcwkQ/s2048/IMG_5632.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiSqK2DaQqut4sK5NVjE-2IABSGT-5X9terUpKXZr7MigMpA77XDx8PEWPx3jf9JGU93h74_EyyJDNxvqiDHMvaj-0WpMRfM7o6T1ZHTa0NdLG33oHx3Q-QYBwPrtDeY6Uqpl_a0EsHTryFF9TweFmhoeBRuLuqMecuwzwFVADvmWWQ4w8ItC5XcwkQ/w400-h266/IMG_5632.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Knot posing for the camera. Photo by Djop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It turned out to be a great twitchy Wednesday morning off from work (of course, I got my boss's blessing first!) and was back in my work-from-home desk (aka dining table) just after lunch. <div><br /></div><div>Not bad at all for a last minute twitch for a very obliging vagrant that seems to be enjoying its stay in Manila Bay... it's still here!!!<br /><br /><div>Thank you, Alfie! Will visit again soon and enjoy all the waders the site has to offer!</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79cSE94oWkG2wyJPb0UDvlIRZM-cUf_5aitOx1fCeYQ4HVmF3mrsznhSiO8Sij3gxeKQRZUpa8RUPC30sGZf3Coo8Kx07OfZWF0CmyZE1RJ-KzbOi9L9OFMLtqLH-IvSuJ2Zqxgwkf2IazetTKqy7bSHR7Yo36MdZYEZBqWZvFp-ELfrZLL6ubtT0Kw/s4032/IMG-9830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79cSE94oWkG2wyJPb0UDvlIRZM-cUf_5aitOx1fCeYQ4HVmF3mrsznhSiO8Sij3gxeKQRZUpa8RUPC30sGZf3Coo8Kx07OfZWF0CmyZE1RJ-KzbOi9L9OFMLtqLH-IvSuJ2Zqxgwkf2IazetTKqy7bSHR7Yo36MdZYEZBqWZvFp-ELfrZLL6ubtT0Kw/w400-h300/IMG-9830.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Alfie, and Djop</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I will celebrate this twitching victory as part of my 13th Birding Birthday tomorrow, April 9! <div><br /></div><div>Hooray for birds!</div>maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-80229122731183789182023-02-19T21:20:00.001+08:002023-02-19T21:20:47.655+08:00Birding Blind<p> It was a rainy Sunday morning. We didn't expect any birds in our quiet neighborhood in Quezon City. But then, after breakfast while Elias was playing in the garage, a flock of very noisy Ashy Minivets announced their arrival on our neighbors gmelina tree! It was the first record of them in our small green patch in the city! </p><p>Djop ran upstairs to get his camera and mine. In the light drizzle, we shot against a backlit tree and watched the hungry migrants as they flitted from branch to branch. I then realized I was birding blind...</p><p>Quick backstory: I recently went for a check-up with an ophthalmologist to have my "deteriorating" eyesight checked. Diagnosis: aging. My eyes were aging accordingly and it was time for me to consider getting a pair of reading glasses or progressive lenses. </p><p>Looking at the Ashy Minivets was the first I was birding with my aging eyes and it was FRUSTRATING! Unlike my phone or papers that I can easily adjust the distance from my eyes, I couldn't just refocus the birds to get a clearer view! My also aging camera did not help any. The lens refused to cooperate and failed me a couple of times before it got its "groove back" and decided to work properly. It was also shooting blind! The quality of photos it took paled to its glory days of sharp, almost print-worthy pictures. Good thing Djop was able to get pretty good photos of these migratory first-timers in our area!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdJLavPBaB772RSQYGhXuP915Ih8TSfCkNk8Yfj6bBVp6r7zqZQkYPtQ5NH8JpEB4gx2Qafv-wRIa_euhpZjSsVokwoudcltFKT9gzLPG3TsnYs_cC9_NpTuXX0zYFvw2HaK1DAKYq11qFCWQJT94rmwFmBl8i7Td6-toTsRgjnri3Wuueh9iCARk3g/s4096/Ashy%20Minivet_2023Feb19_2835-DGETabaranza.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdJLavPBaB772RSQYGhXuP915Ih8TSfCkNk8Yfj6bBVp6r7zqZQkYPtQ5NH8JpEB4gx2Qafv-wRIa_euhpZjSsVokwoudcltFKT9gzLPG3TsnYs_cC9_NpTuXX0zYFvw2HaK1DAKYq11qFCWQJT94rmwFmBl8i7Td6-toTsRgjnri3Wuueh9iCARk3g/w640-h426/Ashy%20Minivet_2023Feb19_2835-DGETabaranza.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>My camera's video was still superb though (that's a Colasisi feeding on the flowers)!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyYHeTX_CLjEks9agBhfdbVvrpiCoTi7nWM0PiYVNpIOpNtXmN5wyiG84-h5GXNlp_L6y45sEc1eMZSa-U3IQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>But, I managed to get some docu shots to commemorate this "neighborhood lifer", so I'm still happy with that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAV94ICB6JLlLnFhsdNBMeCauL56tNHkh512mEYw1L87T5MvO-B0OC935C3J5udtzsojHskNLM_rUsI2qSuyFDln1rWcxuftVvJUHRmCBdcTM3O5fvQ9DHHEoCAm5ArQUoBqdbykiwNGRxxaOQYMSSITpBgBQXws5aRLcOJ77FleN8zI-YILLLs9O1g/s4000/IMG_7638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAV94ICB6JLlLnFhsdNBMeCauL56tNHkh512mEYw1L87T5MvO-B0OC935C3J5udtzsojHskNLM_rUsI2qSuyFDln1rWcxuftVvJUHRmCBdcTM3O5fvQ9DHHEoCAm5ArQUoBqdbykiwNGRxxaOQYMSSITpBgBQXws5aRLcOJ77FleN8zI-YILLLs9O1g/w640-h426/IMG_7638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the best I managed with a rickety old camera, bad lighting conditions, AND bad eyesight.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I know I really have to go out birding more and sort of train my eyes and mind to accept my vision's current state. I also really have to get a new camera to match my excellent binoculars!</span></div></div><p>For now, I am still celebrating the visit of the Ashy Minivets (plus a cameo from a hungry Colasisi!) on a rainy, lazy Sunday morning. Still a win in my book even if I was birding blind!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe35YQKNP7pP_U4ALt5DnAYwHQi3aSqO34fxcjdvVjFrGuid9LNpv5jyySnnq3LTPbdKqvtFqNCXvJd6tTNJ9J5TJz-C72hyAQcMPBBbCwTGfkRF1b9EED2pZMXvifH-AG0cBLpeuRhlrUXHFMqsDsaky7JSVsW66g8jWt-pg4KDitaxnTDO2q72-1Vg/s4096/Ashy%20Minivet_2023Feb19_2568-DGETabaranza.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe35YQKNP7pP_U4ALt5DnAYwHQi3aSqO34fxcjdvVjFrGuid9LNpv5jyySnnq3LTPbdKqvtFqNCXvJd6tTNJ9J5TJz-C72hyAQcMPBBbCwTGfkRF1b9EED2pZMXvifH-AG0cBLpeuRhlrUXHFMqsDsaky7JSVsW66g8jWt-pg4KDitaxnTDO2q72-1Vg/w640-h426/Ashy%20Minivet_2023Feb19_2568-DGETabaranza.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving you with another photo by Djop ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-71308951401801704322022-08-18T15:06:00.004+08:002022-08-18T15:09:00.516+08:00Back to Birding (Sort Of)<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">It.Has.Been.A.While.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The last time I wrote for my blog was over a year ago! But I'm brushing off the virtual cobwebs on this blog and reviving it to document my return to the world of birding - sort of. And nothing so dramatic.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkx63zGYt3tRybRhMnkWnDEKsfcyFkRUWLC-5NKwfweP6vi_ZRD2Pp7Eke2TPb9k5W3N5rNfghZ0F8b3-kccCsOCkUbkjtK1KTFPpojvgHg3y38zX5EwPACcwsjW2TC9rSETmbCwjcjjG8dy598rUTrJlxDXMGKOIOvDtBlhu_MFGhJgwoxdrmNyLDg/s4618/IMG_20220522_082434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkx63zGYt3tRybRhMnkWnDEKsfcyFkRUWLC-5NKwfweP6vi_ZRD2Pp7Eke2TPb9k5W3N5rNfghZ0F8b3-kccCsOCkUbkjtK1KTFPpojvgHg3y38zX5EwPACcwsjW2TC9rSETmbCwjcjjG8dy598rUTrJlxDXMGKOIOvDtBlhu_MFGhJgwoxdrmNyLDg/w640-h480/IMG_20220522_082434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Mask On! Birding in the new normal.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently, I've been volunteering again for the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) in guiding first time birdwatchers. I have to say that the few times I've gone out was truly refreshing! I surely felt rusty but happy to know that it all kind of comes back as the day goes on. I know I still have to get back into the groove though. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Case in point: before starting the trip, I put on my binoculars over my head, hook my camera over one shoulder, and sling a reusable bag with my field guide and other stuff over the other shoulder only to end up just using my bins and the field guide occasionally. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3TLx_8NdIPvjcwQVJ1Fg7fuhQKXOGJ9EZJmM3v5qURc_nEiOLPPjGS_nT3Gms36vTeV9ry8kgIiO0b7GTwv0SG9kez52sYOG0nZLu6vVSljWzsePpyTl33cDbR6NLCIdsIFmQhUFK7cpSLggQ2dCNhjOeERlISjSJY3redwoKm4OpfEY9xhe-1muxA/s2048/IMG_2984.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3TLx_8NdIPvjcwQVJ1Fg7fuhQKXOGJ9EZJmM3v5qURc_nEiOLPPjGS_nT3Gms36vTeV9ry8kgIiO0b7GTwv0SG9kez52sYOG0nZLu6vVSljWzsePpyTl33cDbR6NLCIdsIFmQhUFK7cpSLggQ2dCNhjOeERlISjSJY3redwoKm4OpfEY9xhe-1muxA/w640-h480/IMG_2984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Me giving an intro to birding with all my "gear" on me</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another example: using the scope quick! I really have to relearn the skill of using the spotting scope, more urgently when there is a group kids eagerly awaiting to peek through to see a bird!!! Talk about pressure! Thankfully, birds have been cooperative during the times I've volunteered, staying put long enough to be put on the scope. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTzL1gHbEisu3cGEGXL2tHm5CIqrr2C-E5vvlM7nP_w917lnixo2KCTRhhw1VGpj-HVtjwoV0w4MfgfO3t5dW3Etpv5OTXOKk-JHv1rS-2qWncJhQ0VtK9HQX7OfMYCfqmAKpD3_QYTxx-13chbYksnQgi9tGd3I5BYp2OE894licD2gcxf7nkt1YyQ/s2048/295618292_10221032411984452_5035919508082231061_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTzL1gHbEisu3cGEGXL2tHm5CIqrr2C-E5vvlM7nP_w917lnixo2KCTRhhw1VGpj-HVtjwoV0w4MfgfO3t5dW3Etpv5OTXOKk-JHv1rS-2qWncJhQ0VtK9HQX7OfMYCfqmAKpD3_QYTxx-13chbYksnQgi9tGd3I5BYp2OE894licD2gcxf7nkt1YyQ/w400-h400/295618292_10221032411984452_5035919508082231061_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm slowly reacquainting myself with neighborhood birding sites. These were the areas I birded in when I was a new birder years ago, practicing using my bins and ID skills. It's nice to know that birds still thrive in these places, even though the landscapes have changed over the years.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgVJJOtBOEPWCHY1MpW46SZuOOQxLHjrHiY_9vql3KkB7gPkS-Or4jUnyHywtLF3HkjrjqjqgREiMRlhzNVEu5S0dlnt67bjg-SBFP400pwGcWzTmTeDcq-H1WGyeya2SIFE8IeqgRwFzlvapA10yG3UgcMznyEa8qJWbB5C0WaeDmFgGk43MIGaq6w/s1147/IMG_2946.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1147" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgVJJOtBOEPWCHY1MpW46SZuOOQxLHjrHiY_9vql3KkB7gPkS-Or4jUnyHywtLF3HkjrjqjqgREiMRlhzNVEu5S0dlnt67bjg-SBFP400pwGcWzTmTeDcq-H1WGyeya2SIFE8IeqgRwFzlvapA10yG3UgcMznyEa8qJWbB5C0WaeDmFgGk43MIGaq6w/w640-h480/IMG_2946.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Birding in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Strange, but I have developed this urge to rush through things and get things done as quick as possible. I have to remind myself to SLOW DOWN, to breathe easy (through my mask), and to allow myself to relax and enjoy the few hours birding. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It has also become my "alone time" or my "me time" even if I am with a group of people. I dunno, it's hard to explain. But it's the time I get to do my own thing on my own, and for this I am truly grateful. It has done wonders for my mental health.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have yet to really get back into birding and using my camera. It's debut was thwarted by the pandemic and we have yet to warm up to each other. But for now, I am really thankful for the small pockets of birding time I get and meeting new people (and children!) eager to see more birds. Sort of like a slow stretch after a long time of stagnation.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pq7W04kVyvgJytyp5-TUD8PB9s6hmyxxd_cC_mex5SWtZ1EFxgtGVWfehgx-WUlKjI6_GbZS23REBFRK3USYhFLqa8nEkjIDmfbu2m4PMD9ECBB3YnSSEkX0elYSk0xB9n_TiOJhbBi6hIQoz45UKjB_y13H2yvDDLFGxTWA9xKeIUHJueBCHTwMow/s1147/IMG_2949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1147" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pq7W04kVyvgJytyp5-TUD8PB9s6hmyxxd_cC_mex5SWtZ1EFxgtGVWfehgx-WUlKjI6_GbZS23REBFRK3USYhFLqa8nEkjIDmfbu2m4PMD9ECBB3YnSSEkX0elYSk0xB9n_TiOJhbBi6hIQoz45UKjB_y13H2yvDDLFGxTWA9xKeIUHJueBCHTwMow/w640-h480/IMG_2949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hopefully, I will have more to write about soon. For now, I will ease back into the "game" slowly but surely. And no, my boy Elias won't be joining me yet... he'll drive away all the birds!!!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAPIJ1rzv7u70XYg1FsRy_cI_DMj_DoNukdRBSBiXZRgwBG_o_MvMPzruxwFYYGOtctj_xEMBJ7XoA3SqjvYnQuvruC1jkH4LAutVSiT_gsBeWblegCIa_6onzC_q9gGcXElQkfx0rBv18joNU7KeVCwM-IkVv8HKv1oaNDKMb8Z2IyChezuruAKMOQ/s1530/IMG_2964.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1530" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAPIJ1rzv7u70XYg1FsRy_cI_DMj_DoNukdRBSBiXZRgwBG_o_MvMPzruxwFYYGOtctj_xEMBJ7XoA3SqjvYnQuvruC1jkH4LAutVSiT_gsBeWblegCIa_6onzC_q9gGcXElQkfx0rBv18joNU7KeVCwM-IkVv8HKv1oaNDKMb8Z2IyChezuruAKMOQ/w640-h360/IMG_2964.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-67302481951084316892021-06-17T11:44:00.001+08:002021-06-17T11:44:35.522+08:00Of Birds, Blogs, and Cybercrimes<p style="text-align: justify;">Who knew blogging about birdwatching could be so... controversial!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I started blogging early 2000s using the now defunct Multiply site. I used to write about my travels, food adventures, and movies I've watched. As a new birder in 2010, I was a fan and follower of my good friend Trinket's Multiply blog and learned a lot about birding through her well-written posts. She has since migrated to her new site <a href="https://katrinket.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breathing Space</a>. I also followed and learned from Tito Bob's very informative blog, <a href="https://ornithographer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Two Birders To Go</a>, and looked forward to reading about his next birding adventure with Tita Cynthia. Even my friend Mark was blogging at that time. When Multiply closed shop in 2013 I was already a birdwatcher and, inspired by my friends' blogs, have started my own. This one! I'd like to think I've also influenced other birder friends to start their own blogs to document and share their birding adventures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeP-XlJofGP35EKT9oZ-bQgzulA4xyuF_jqZQ2TtQSHSe5G0QVKBLWw_AY5TK9lbCbSiuHgtrYvfgfIYp5-OwtUg9ZzyPnY0iR6jC-booRISkXOdatblrLXr48SZAh_3cMigfYKSAGzc9/s1148/Screenshot+2021-06-17+085224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1148" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeP-XlJofGP35EKT9oZ-bQgzulA4xyuF_jqZQ2TtQSHSe5G0QVKBLWw_AY5TK9lbCbSiuHgtrYvfgfIYp5-OwtUg9ZzyPnY0iR6jC-booRISkXOdatblrLXr48SZAh_3cMigfYKSAGzc9/w400-h305/Screenshot+2021-06-17+085224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I do love writing! And I think I can say that I am fairly good with words, a trait that has been thrown in my face for reasons you cannot possibly imagine. But here I am now, still writing and loving it even more. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">For me, blogging serves two purposes: first, as my personal journal to document and remember birding trips and other events, and second, as a way of sharing these stories with friends and other birders who might learn a thing or two, just like me when I was starting out. I am and have always been careful with what I write, both in terms of content and grammar.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ahhh grammar. I am far from being a perfect writer and I make typographical errors here and there. That's why I am very grateful for friends who message me to point these errors out so I can correct them. Thank you! You know who you are. Personally, I think 5 or more typo errors and grammatical mistakes consistently made across many posts in a single blog just make for lousy writing, not to mention migraine-inducing. If I have to reread a sentence more than two times just to figure out what the writer wants to say and if I need to consult someone else to try to understand and even they come out clueless, all the while mentally correcting so many spelling errors...well, why bother with a torturous experience anyway. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">For content, I've written about birding in different places, successful twitches, and failed attempts at finding a bird. I don't assume that many people read my blog (just family and friends) and I continue to write as if writing in a journal. The characters in each post are real people with whom I've shared adventures with. I'm actually quite surprised that there are people who read my blog just to check if they are mentioned and then react oh so violently when they fail to find their names since, just like in real life, they played no part in my own personal experience. It's like Mr. Zuckerberg expecting (and demanding!) to be credited every single time "Facebook" is mentioned. Thank goodness he isn't an egomaniac! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Which brings me now to cybercrimes over personal blogs and oral defamation over superfluous expectations. In today's day and age of freedom of speech on social media and the power wielded by a single screenshot, one really must be careful about what he or she posts even on personal pages. Name-calling, false accusations, and slander disguised in subtext are all punishable cybercrimes and yes, the same style using screenshots to discredit someone can be used as evidence when the poisonous post is taken a screenshot of too! No matter if you delete it because, ooops, as you "screenshotted" me to warn people about my credibility, my friends "screenshotted" your horribly written personal attack and now... we have evidence. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">After all of this, I know I can still sleep soundly knowing that I have always spoken and written the truth, this post included. And now, an even bigger truth is coming out, the ugly truth that beneath the white porcelain exterior gurgles something toxic and foul riddled with delusions of grandeur and an overinflated ego.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Hello? NBI Cybercrime Unit? Si Tañedo 'to. </p>maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-37616266124610583372021-02-27T10:10:00.010+08:002021-02-27T10:14:26.615+08:00A Cotton Pygmy Lifer<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">My blog has been “sleeping” since
April 2020. I have honestly had nothing much to write about in terms of birding
what with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on. I was quite lucky to have gone
birding in LPPCHEA in January 2020 before the lockdowns and community quarantines
and rightly so, my first official foray back into birding was a year after
that, still in LPPCHEA for the 2021 Asian Waterbird Census.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After the AWC, it seemed as if I
wouldn’t be out birding anytime again soon. Until we got word of a rare migrant
making an appearance in a gas station along the North Luzon Expressway. Thanks
to the thoughtfulness of Erickson T., remembering me say before that I wished
to see the Cotton Pygmy Goose, he messaged me and Djop alerting us to the
sighting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">It was like the long-stagnant
birding part of me was electrocuted awake by the message! Scanning social media
posts of friends, I saw Trinket’s post of the Cotton Pygmy Goose and
immediately messaged her and Adri. Djop and I started planning our twitch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I must admit that I was 50%
raring to go and 50% unwilling to leave my baby to go find a bird. The more
than a year quarantine had almost cemented me in my mama bear cave that it was
quite a mental struggle to go back to my old twitching ways. I was just beginning
to go back to my old work schedule and now one of my most wanted birds shows
up!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After some gentle debating and
nudging me to go out and be my old self again, Djop was able to convince me to
go twitch that goose!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Total gas station was only
about 40 minutes from our house so it was an easy drive early Sunday morning.
We got to the spot at 6:30am and met up with Sir Roy. We found some birders scanning the distant
pond for the bird and said hello. We setup in our area and started scanning as well. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1cZn6akEkEH6us9AJ5Cp-c8QArDZgReAShZjLl9bvKTcKrz2wFgq30ODyW9pDyFF10XlQD9N5IxW6BOA2JNhYgzkd2HArq0uvU9tCT4Ca0OPhuqswPNninXNRBNabltCGd33-yj6U_W8/s2048/152716903_244964730496288_2112531189180787170_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1cZn6akEkEH6us9AJ5Cp-c8QArDZgReAShZjLl9bvKTcKrz2wFgq30ODyW9pDyFF10XlQD9N5IxW6BOA2JNhYgzkd2HArq0uvU9tCT4Ca0OPhuqswPNninXNRBNabltCGd33-yj6U_W8/w400-h300/152716903_244964730496288_2112531189180787170_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over TOTAL Gas Station</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It was
refreshing being out again and feeling like my old birder self. The familiar
feelings of excitement and fear (yes, fear of dipping on a target bird is REAL)
started coming full force when I glanced at my watch and saw it was already 7 o’clock.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I was starting to get agitated and
wanted to drive back home to Elias already when Djop found it. At 7:15am, I was
staring at a <b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Cotton Pygmy Goose</span></b>. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KP_BaW4UZRXStK34v_dWajNXrxFyY92U-ImZbHJysk_GbdBTdCBXxhsqEMyp-1czdUuVL7lIWk7tPu9rTIUpPcRsnXKipJw0mrvGU-qPDK_5ZlhZD2jrp8biqsMT69Whgr6S0OgVFu63/s2048/CPG.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="2048" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KP_BaW4UZRXStK34v_dWajNXrxFyY92U-ImZbHJysk_GbdBTdCBXxhsqEMyp-1czdUuVL7lIWk7tPu9rTIUpPcRsnXKipJw0mrvGU-qPDK_5ZlhZD2jrp8biqsMT69Whgr6S0OgVFu63/w400-h284/CPG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Djop</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Last seen in the Philippines more than 40
years ago, here it was in front of me. It swam with the many Common Moorhens in
the pond, paddling this way and that but it was unmistakable once you see it:
smallish, white with a black eye stripe, cute.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMel_M-ww2pMN1Ch-LyLaCQUtNcJrWXzwCUP4_Gy_9qLN3Ztx32mT6qkXglhrXp5okYeVMkLrbWRjz0M3uwAoEnC3RUy_Kmxfbg_l3rvB3KOY9Qx-BaIZSLx4REhwBsty5dkFNCrWuSrlT/s2048/152611974_2969478119988870_4457855708935747459_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMel_M-ww2pMN1Ch-LyLaCQUtNcJrWXzwCUP4_Gy_9qLN3Ztx32mT6qkXglhrXp5okYeVMkLrbWRjz0M3uwAoEnC3RUy_Kmxfbg_l3rvB3KOY9Qx-BaIZSLx4REhwBsty5dkFNCrWuSrlT/w400-h225/152611974_2969478119988870_4457855708935747459_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New normal in birding as well! Masks on!</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It was flushed away together will
the other birds in the pond when a man on a small boat started paddling in the
middle of the pond. In classic twitch style, we packed up and left, having successfully
seen the bird. We were back home by 8:45am yay! It was good to feel like my old
self again, and I’m learning to mold it to my new roles. Fun times ahead.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Cotton Pygmy Goose made up
for my “bird-less” 2020 and I’m taking it as a good omen for 2021.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">*Thank you again, Erickson! I owe
you pygmy goose levels!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKkfgDEH68MHOBcs9CvKsLHeYRAagKgCTvWb2TbGg2dd5bcrp9ZrM1B1ZjcZ75QMvodlPLVPrACtr67Xf_GHrmEkeDw8tI7nWQjz8tDWK-ezWpHXkvnOxFe95ideu68coNpzWRYwtSDHX/s1516/152942834_1138717013244712_888841963283415325_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1516" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKkfgDEH68MHOBcs9CvKsLHeYRAagKgCTvWb2TbGg2dd5bcrp9ZrM1B1ZjcZ75QMvodlPLVPrACtr67Xf_GHrmEkeDw8tI7nWQjz8tDWK-ezWpHXkvnOxFe95ideu68coNpzWRYwtSDHX/w400-h400/152942834_1138717013244712_888841963283415325_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My digiscoped photo of my lifer!<br />Dedicated to Erickson for alerting us!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-63934875943465497182020-04-23T15:14:00.000+08:002020-04-23T15:14:31.860+08:00Back to the BackyardThe COVID-19 situation took everyone by surprise when an enhanced community quarantine was imposed in Luzon and many parts of the Philippines, restricting travel and foraying outside one’s home. Everyone was affected by this in one way or another and that includes birders as well. Just as we were heading towards the tail end of migration season, plans to catch the last migrants and exploring migratory hotspots had to be cancelled and maybe put off… indefinitely!<br />
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The current situation has now forced birders to stay indoors and look more carefully at whatever our taken-for-granted backyards held for us in terms of birdlife. There are some lucky birders who are quarantined in greener areas or in rural provinces, but there are some restricted to the concrete jungle and therefore afford almost no wild birds at all.<br />
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In our patch in Quezon City, we are quite lucky to still have some trees in our immediate neighborhood and even a creek at the end of the road.<br />
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Our neighbor’s towering mango tree hosts a number of birds, mostly heard and hard to see in the criss-cross of branches, leaves, and clumps of mango fruits. A chorale of <span style="color: orange;"><b>Yellow-vented Bulbuls</b></span>, <b><span style="color: orange;">Red-keeled Flowerpeckers</span></b>, and <span style="color: orange;"><b>Golden-belied Gerygones</b></span> can be heard in the morning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoxpy4vzU6vMDhi_nnrir2VWsYRKbqObNDEBjBGSQzn4yKMHJciWFNIb5UKJx4vCA3RNqNT62AT1IBuSZsGS5mLaTx2xrx5RcgRz1WuoEANRX_dev2p0bVZjHfECEsZxvNIJfhISYpoFs/s1600/YVB_October20132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoxpy4vzU6vMDhi_nnrir2VWsYRKbqObNDEBjBGSQzn4yKMHJciWFNIb5UKJx4vCA3RNqNT62AT1IBuSZsGS5mLaTx2xrx5RcgRz1WuoEANRX_dev2p0bVZjHfECEsZxvNIJfhISYpoFs/s400/YVB_October20132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">A pair of Yellow-vented Bulbuls</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnUp9t05pkyl5YzSg8NTtLbLZHEJbZ5CibyNGjLU0L6hENjZMLbXD-SAADcqgmzrNO3DK4ePYh0haIHY1MBbQHkJ_C8UVsVwHDrmBhXnNhspMrDqG3i4TC5OqfRr-yFJ8dnMETHfP2Uix/s1600/RKFP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnUp9t05pkyl5YzSg8NTtLbLZHEJbZ5CibyNGjLU0L6hENjZMLbXD-SAADcqgmzrNO3DK4ePYh0haIHY1MBbQHkJ_C8UVsVwHDrmBhXnNhspMrDqG3i4TC5OqfRr-yFJ8dnMETHfP2Uix/s400/RKFP.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-keeled Flowerpecker photographed in Batangas years ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At the end of the road, a towering gmelina is the preferred perch of <b><span style="color: orange;">Collared Kingfishers</span></b>, <b><span style="color: orange;">Black-naped Orioles</span></b>, and the occasional <span style="color: orange;"><b>Large-billed Crow</b></span>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYfSK5K-iiuhv4T6yF01nezyEREqprkkD2FrfYgCktjOdgJgkfzE3TtBO9IvnuYl3gp-4U6RG1CasPamf742j3JXt3H1ei_lVuy7-z2iAl3m7Ym1E4ptc9-9p7PGz3nlkOp_23K9GHwDZ/s1600/Black-naped+Oriole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYfSK5K-iiuhv4T6yF01nezyEREqprkkD2FrfYgCktjOdgJgkfzE3TtBO9IvnuYl3gp-4U6RG1CasPamf742j3JXt3H1ei_lVuy7-z2iAl3m7Ym1E4ptc9-9p7PGz3nlkOp_23K9GHwDZ/s400/Black-naped+Oriole.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Black-naped Oriole photographed in Cebu years ago.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs8GzqDEpvngYD4ptbZe6Wb83jYZkIhic1isaonfzSlgiRG2HxMBhmwW9JuEuG-pRXf8_ST4PKwYXhPtPMXnpFK-WkOxUeHwaSDqgr8GtPW_WBDH3vWyTrMrM60pN4P7D2IRGEnuwBDQn/s1600/LPPCHEA_09Nov134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs8GzqDEpvngYD4ptbZe6Wb83jYZkIhic1isaonfzSlgiRG2HxMBhmwW9JuEuG-pRXf8_ST4PKwYXhPtPMXnpFK-WkOxUeHwaSDqgr8GtPW_WBDH3vWyTrMrM60pN4P7D2IRGEnuwBDQn/s400/LPPCHEA_09Nov134.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Collared Kingfisher photographed in LPPCHEA in 2013.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A further away bare-leafed tree sometimes has a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Coppersmith Barbet </b></span>or two silhouetted against the brightening morning sky, it’s pok-pok-pok call loud and clear over the other birds’ calls. <span style="color: orange;"><b>Olive-backed Sunbirds</b></span> join in soon enough, perching on the low-hanging wires and smaller trees.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcAnzbx5OC60ltCTMDxH0fA1RHLQJGLA7mA838yu80c1dU9ZQid3hhhAlHeV-8DLpLSDHFerVuyHR3UOyzFFvlhtAB607HxUqjs5bwTEZINBNDPts8YXvrr75-73_XbMIz9BchZktPxqd/s1600/OBS-LMEP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcAnzbx5OC60ltCTMDxH0fA1RHLQJGLA7mA838yu80c1dU9ZQid3hhhAlHeV-8DLpLSDHFerVuyHR3UOyzFFvlhtAB607HxUqjs5bwTEZINBNDPts8YXvrr75-73_XbMIz9BchZktPxqd/s400/OBS-LMEP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Olive-backed Sunbird photographed in LMEP in 2014.</span></td></tr>
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Other occasional birds we have are the <b><span style="color: orange;">Philippine Pied Fantails</span></b>, <span style="color: orange;"><b>Philippine Pygmy Woodpeckers</b></span>, and <span style="color: orange;"><b>Zebra Doves</b></span>. There used to be more Zebra Doves in our compound but with the increase in cats roaming around, they are now rarely seen foraging on the road.<br />
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But we’ve had our share of “pretty exciting times” which we were able to document. We had a family of Colasisi visit a palm tree just outside our house, feeding on the young blooms late in the afternoon before they zoomed away noisily.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQxOwAiBT6AKiaNnLe9P2TRKU9_CUmNEYMDkhCpSaGZTu6LCelqJDPfCZZDhYAqyRHW61MW5uVsK1KHXwKjRn0ZmegFtM_RktOu0ETpk88XUDYMm287QvLEZR2h8L8cVP63pMrGjxvYiI/s1600/Colasisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQxOwAiBT6AKiaNnLe9P2TRKU9_CUmNEYMDkhCpSaGZTu6LCelqJDPfCZZDhYAqyRHW61MW5uVsK1KHXwKjRn0ZmegFtM_RktOu0ETpk88XUDYMm287QvLEZR2h8L8cVP63pMrGjxvYiI/s400/Colasisi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Young Colasisi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And recently, we spotted a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Brown Shrike</b></span> in the mango tree feeding on a poor lizard! We apologize for the bad photos… aside from still getting to know our new Lumix camera, we find we are always in a rush to photograph these birds that suddenly pop up while we are busy doing other things!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvImCAZ3iW7I_ni1TYT8320bvJutbo0FMQ08LeEQHAYo1Hd_x9rhs2a6Ppg73Q6SAcd3ItNXyZ0EH_MUHyPIWRmWuSJ12rPs_mkOLB3qhXRGK6veUZW9M-fTQ_SAbN3Ip8f5bY51buWbd3/s1600/Brown+Shrike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvImCAZ3iW7I_ni1TYT8320bvJutbo0FMQ08LeEQHAYo1Hd_x9rhs2a6Ppg73Q6SAcd3ItNXyZ0EH_MUHyPIWRmWuSJ12rPs_mkOLB3qhXRGK6veUZW9M-fTQ_SAbN3Ip8f5bY51buWbd3/s400/Brown+Shrike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Brown Shrike with its meal (or at least, part of it!)</span></td></tr>
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Of course, the <span style="color: orange;"><b>Eurasian Tree Sparrows</b></span> are still plentiful and I must admit, it won’t hurt to peek outside the gate and try to photograph them, and Barred Rails continue to call loudly from the creek beyond the compound’s wall, even until midnight and the wee hours of the morning!<br />
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I do miss the <span style="color: orange;"><b>Asian Glossy Starlings</b></span> and <span style="color: orange;"><b>Blue-tailed Bee-eaters</b></span> that were sighted in our neighborhood a few years back and the one-time sighting of a <span style="color: orange;"><b>White-throated Kingfisher</b></span> just outside the house!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnMZHvg34O55tMRLWFTZef-WVPyOju0ZQ5960vx1D34RBD7X4qTtk6PIfyPTZyE0t9i1fdjKrRPDlYhLXLkxttz-qeh-G2GvnybATSrXoyeUWbOn5yoY8jbwBwqtoox6WfF3jOoq5r1t7/s1600/Glossy+Starlings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnMZHvg34O55tMRLWFTZef-WVPyOju0ZQ5960vx1D34RBD7X4qTtk6PIfyPTZyE0t9i1fdjKrRPDlYhLXLkxttz-qeh-G2GvnybATSrXoyeUWbOn5yoY8jbwBwqtoox6WfF3jOoq5r1t7/s400/Glossy+Starlings.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian Glossy Starlings on our neighbor's window grills in 2014.</td></tr>
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Being in this enhanced community quarantine has indeed forced me to appreciate more the birds I have taken for granted in our backyard (plus, it got me blogging again in between work at home tasks!) Of course, there is the hope and dream of having a rare visitor come along one of these days, with Djop and I super ready with our cameras and tripods to document it. But in the meantime, I choose to be grateful for the common birds in our backyard and will not take them nor their bird song for granted.<br />
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You can read more on the most common urban birds in this article I wrote for eBON in 2013 by clicking <a href="https://ebonph.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/10-most-common-urban-birds/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Happy birding and keep safe, everyone! We all still have lots more to see when this is all over 💕maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-9057389481886402662019-05-12T15:16:00.000+08:002019-05-14T13:16:39.277+08:00The End of My 9-Year Ernesti WaitThere are some bird species that I've always wanted to see ever since I browsed through my second-hand Kennedy field guide 9 years ago. I was amazed then of the concept of "subspecies" or "races" particularly when I saw the 2 races of Peregrine Falcon in the Philippines. Subspecies is the taxonomic category ranked below species level and is designated by a Latin trinomial (3 word-scientific name.)<br />
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The more commonly seen race or subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon is the migrant <i>Falco peregrinus calidus </i>which I was lucky enough to see in my first year of birding, specifically on July 27, 2010 in Mt. Palay-palay (before the tunnel was blasted through the mountain and the forest turned into a highway.) Thank God, I kept all my birding notebooks!<br />
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The migratory Falcons have always been kind to me. I've regularly seen them in nearby areas throughout the years. In UP Diliman, in Ateneo, along Quezon Avenue, along Commonwealth Avenue, in IRRI in Los Banos, and even in a communication tower viewed from our house in Quezon City. But I've never got the chance to see the OTHER race which is the resident <i>ernesti </i>subspecies.<br />
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For 9 years, I waited for a chance to see these dark and handsome raptors. Then, without warning, fellow birder Mhark G. shared photos of a family of <i>ernesti</i> falcons in Rizal! Things happened quite fast and Djop and I soon found ourselves with a golden opportunity to go see one of my most-wanted birds!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZb6npds6txkWZ6AIMULt4oydrHfEtxsJASVbPOwFV75jlFwnnascZFELahCm9xATKYUWdvx9YsljTXZAlHiO8ZSH2T29c3-DFJsPGJZg1QBau5OKHBVXzP0SsM3V18vLjxcJus0bz6HT/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZb6npds6txkWZ6AIMULt4oydrHfEtxsJASVbPOwFV75jlFwnnascZFELahCm9xATKYUWdvx9YsljTXZAlHiO8ZSH2T29c3-DFJsPGJZg1QBau5OKHBVXzP0SsM3V18vLjxcJus0bz6HT/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the rest of our party in the early part of our climb.</td></tr>
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Let me just say that this twitch to see the <i>ernesti </i>falcons was... unforgettable. The trail we took was a new one, made by Mhark and the local guides to get to a good vantage point which was 100 meters across a gorge away from the nest. The path we took was limestone and mud (because it rained hard the night before.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eRWLaWe-JNiCTvT_N-z25hKK0T86o4O9vnn_DLCGMm2woDxFxM0dxQvwf8a56EeiPKY4S4ER8CQFwmyLH8FyHKy1Jxa8-u9_x1BZlFZ1FqWDShyphenhyphenYwo0MbWHmeCcRpfxAJk6Q19dQrV7u/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eRWLaWe-JNiCTvT_N-z25hKK0T86o4O9vnn_DLCGMm2woDxFxM0dxQvwf8a56EeiPKY4S4ER8CQFwmyLH8FyHKy1Jxa8-u9_x1BZlFZ1FqWDShyphenhyphenYwo0MbWHmeCcRpfxAJk6Q19dQrV7u/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the trail was this... no trail really.</td></tr>
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I feel very blessed for the attention and care Mhark and the local guides gave us while we were traversing jagged rocks and narrow ledges. I was also very grateful for the pair of gloves available from the guides which allowed me to use my hands to grasp and crawl whenever possible.<br />
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Early in our climb, the Falcons already showed themselves, flying by and showing us they were indeed the world's fastest fliers! But they were too far! We trudged on, with somewhat more urgency and excitement to see the birds.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufcWmLgGtBBrw8crIF0Yeu2mrqy8I64OzT-dtcwDRtznBMIvTiprc0t3oXdBtlK2XLcg9U-f_4tCQL8DYD7IZ8cC-_K2az-2Db_760q0cXueOr0RlDeGKNYAffd_JDBAT7pd0kQnNULwv/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufcWmLgGtBBrw8crIF0Yeu2mrqy8I64OzT-dtcwDRtznBMIvTiprc0t3oXdBtlK2XLcg9U-f_4tCQL8DYD7IZ8cC-_K2az-2Db_760q0cXueOr0RlDeGKNYAffd_JDBAT7pd0kQnNULwv/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mhark assisting me and Kuya Let ready to catch me!<br />
Photo by Djop</td></tr>
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At some point, the only option was to tread on a makeshift one-branch "bridge" while holding on to the rock face. I never thought I would do something like that... but I did!<br />
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I stopped bringing out my phone and taking photos and just concentrated on getting over and past obstacles in the trail. I took comfort in the fact that there was help whenever a stone looked too large or the trail too narrow or sloped for me to walk through by myself.<br />
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We saw the Falcons a number of times before we reached the observation site. First, one Falcon perched on a rocky ledge but quite far away and heavily back-lit. It stayed a while and we all took the chance to photograph it even though the photos wouldn't come out so good..<br />
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The next sighting was a lot nearer to us! It stayed perched on a small leafless tree and we were almost directly under it! Getting a clear view was a challenge since the path was very narrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQWTBXlJ3wDEEzOHN13CgdyEaoCoOcqotZwBatSZvCowB6u9ST4CoYZmpNlJIm80otS56h8OvqNXly9BQF_65Xa8RocJebJVlJjcjjtoX1HIK6_B9rjS3y5-NVRezD8riAX80O8O1gufy/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQWTBXlJ3wDEEzOHN13CgdyEaoCoOcqotZwBatSZvCowB6u9ST4CoYZmpNlJIm80otS56h8OvqNXly9BQF_65Xa8RocJebJVlJjcjjtoX1HIK6_B9rjS3y5-NVRezD8riAX80O8O1gufy/s320/IMG_5071.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally! A clear shot of the Falcon!</td></tr>
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The young Falcon flew away after a few minutes, noisily calling as it transferred to a different perch. This was where we got lucky! It didn't go far! And with a bit more climbing and correct positioning, an open shot was possible!<br />
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Sir Alain, Mhark, Djop, and I took our places on the steep trail and took photos. Sir Roy chose to stay at a lower part of the trail and Sir Bert's camera was unfortunately brought to the observation deck ahead of him.<br />
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At that point, I really don't know how I was able to climb all to where I was. The limestone were directly in front of me and there was no way else to move but by hoisting myself up the sharp rocks and getting on the next "level" of rocks! I guess adrenalin does work in these kinds of situations.<br />
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There were actually 2 Falcons in that spot, but the other at a farther and much higher perch than the one we were photographing. It stayed quite a while, allowing us to take lots of photos and admire its handsome features.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys5sfjbgYZvzmJ4o0lcDfiLvRp_wYLeVC9UKEYSB-iWCCIhPil_0cUwXDauS0mLMQrpfYtBsGGoonqm-HdHK-NgidBMQlMwnvXht6tLlyjRwMrZQpsSIJPpscgyUy9zCdkCB8gdSuDdmr/s1600/Peregrine+Falcon01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys5sfjbgYZvzmJ4o0lcDfiLvRp_wYLeVC9UKEYSB-iWCCIhPil_0cUwXDauS0mLMQrpfYtBsGGoonqm-HdHK-NgidBMQlMwnvXht6tLlyjRwMrZQpsSIJPpscgyUy9zCdkCB8gdSuDdmr/s400/Peregrine+Falcon01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peregrine Falcon (<i>Falco peregrinus ernesti)</i> - immature</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXlcqbHZgpLdPSrZ0K0FoH15MzOfUJsJzOzvlQknN3r6aGQ_mkbNOHPu9hEuiDpvDsrQ-vomGEqdcw_9tkW2JSsO1YqPPSEH9hS5RkWl9zZw9EmZDcnxjC1v0YzLtO7nlb-Z4vaQ6HzTB/s1600/Peregrine+Falcon03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXlcqbHZgpLdPSrZ0K0FoH15MzOfUJsJzOzvlQknN3r6aGQ_mkbNOHPu9hEuiDpvDsrQ-vomGEqdcw_9tkW2JSsO1YqPPSEH9hS5RkWl9zZw9EmZDcnxjC1v0YzLtO7nlb-Z4vaQ6HzTB/s400/Peregrine+Falcon03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peregrine Falcon (<i>Falco peregrinus ernesti</i>) - immature</td></tr>
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The raptor then spread its wings (which I got a blurred shot of!) and flew off from its perch. I reviewed my photos and said a short prayer of thanks for this amazing opportunity! I was good! I told the group I would now head back down to join Sir Roy while the rest could proceed to the observation site. Alas, I was convinced by everyone to trudge on and make the last effort to the site. "<i>Konti na lang, ma'am!</i>" "<i>Sayang naman, ma'am, andito ka na!</i>" "<i>Five minutes na lang, ma'am!</i>" 😂</div>
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Last effort indeed as the final climb involved pulling myself up the slope with ropes until I finally landed on the ledge and rested my tired body on a bench they had made the day earlier. As I slowly felt my heart slow down, I found myself looking at the rock face where the Peregrine Falcons had nested. The young ones have all fledged now but it was amazing seeing it all the same.</div>
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We soon had lunch brought to us: binuhong manok (native chicken cooked in bamboo), pinakbet, and rice! We also had boiled eggs and they brought up ice so we could cool our water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDhaAhK7fBHPTqF5k-CjWCOWjGDokTFs3K8YxDINCYVNNvKtjw62wMV9M9TS4ZJm1gOABw5QnfJkxMyFlhwnEIYfPNt8nbYa67_Ad9FmZo-BpVUq5ykzqTbovx_2RuiwQEHDkrk4t94yY/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDhaAhK7fBHPTqF5k-CjWCOWjGDokTFs3K8YxDINCYVNNvKtjw62wMV9M9TS4ZJm1gOABw5QnfJkxMyFlhwnEIYfPNt8nbYa67_Ad9FmZo-BpVUq5ykzqTbovx_2RuiwQEHDkrk4t94yY/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot lunch up the mountain!</td></tr>
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After lunch, we all got sleepy... what with the delicious lunch and the mountain breeze! I managed just a few minutes napping, mainly because I was afraid to go tumbling down the mountain side and also because the guides would point out the Falcons as they flew overhead us from time to time.<br />
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The whole afternoon was spent waiting for them to perch closer to their next but unfortunately they didn't. However, we did get an amazing display of the adult Falcons "teaching" their young to hunt in the air!!! My camera could not possibly photograph the spectacle before us, but I borrowed some photos from Djop of the parent clutching a pigeon in its talons, hovering above us, waiting for the young Falcon to grasp the prey from underneath! I really have no words to describe it properly!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzxMW0h3xQFR-uSYCLYFkRIRoeru2Lhmd6iiZq4UTLbqXrPnadO7DCq1jkfNnuwPihevjpTn8Jd1jv4mNrfGKtG8wYBSY5nazlgmM9nROjZ81KL0iFjH57qWUGIRuWgwqYmmcjC3ptPLn/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzxMW0h3xQFR-uSYCLYFkRIRoeru2Lhmd6iiZq4UTLbqXrPnadO7DCq1jkfNnuwPihevjpTn8Jd1jv4mNrfGKtG8wYBSY5nazlgmM9nROjZ81KL0iFjH57qWUGIRuWgwqYmmcjC3ptPLn/s400/IMG_5083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The wind picked up very quickly soon after we saw the Falcons' "training" exercise. We all didn't want to go down the mountain in the rain, so we packed up our day camp and began our descent. Djop said it took us around 30 minutes to get back down. I was at the front of the line and I swallowed my fear and just made my way through rock, soil, and non-existing trail back to the community. My legs were shaking visibly when we got closer to the houses, we took a short break and a wave of nausea slowly creeped in. I shook it off and followed the group to the community where Sir Roy was waiting. </div>
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As I sat down on the wooden seat, I began to relax and the nausea quickly left, but then I started feeling tingling in my fingers and my upper lip was going numb! Prof Bert told me I needed sugar and offered me a mint which I gratefully took and it worked! Sir Roy had ordered halo-halo for the group (perfect!) and as we ate our yummy reward, the rain fell.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was yummy halo-halo!!!</td></tr>
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When the rain slowed to a drizzle, we headed back to the parking area through the last set of steps, which I went through with SO much difficulty since my knees refused to bend!!! We said our goodbyes to our local guides, who after what we've been through and how they helped me, I now consider my friends. I insisted for this group photo to forever immortalize one of the most memorable twitches I've ever done! Maximum effort! 💪<br />
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-57502349228830309812019-04-07T12:44:00.000+08:002019-04-07T20:51:46.788+08:00PPP: My First Lifer for 2019!<i>Update: After posting this, I learned that the Palawan Peacock Pheasant has not been seen in its usual site for the past four days! The bird is quite old and some fear the worst... quite bittersweet this lifer... 😱</i><br />
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It was one of those lucky trips when everything fell into place. I was in Puerto Princesa in Palawan for work and didn't plan on doing any birding. But somehow, I convinced myself to bring my binoculars and camera for the trip. Ok, fine. Djop convinced me to bring my binoculars and camera for the trip... you know, "just in case."<br />
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That "just in case" was any possible free time I could get to sneak a couple of hours birding in a nearby site. I couldn't have hoped for a better opportunity that opened for me and fellow birder, Sir Olan Balbido, that trip! From zero birding plans to an impromptu trip to the Underground River in Sabang to try for the Palawan Peacock Pheasant!<br />
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So, off we were at 5AM together with friends from work Nereo, Rodger, Fer, Marjon, and Jordge. Sir Fer was going to join me and Sir Olan find the Pheasant while the others were going to go see the Underground River.<br />
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We waited at the Sabang Wharf and soon boarded our banca to take us to the site. The 30-minute boat ride reminded me of how beautiful Palawan is, with its pristine beaches, amazing rock formations, and turquoise waters.<br />
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After a few group photos (of course!), our group split in two: one to the Underground River and the other to find the Pheasant. I followed Sir Olan and Sir Fer to the Ranger Station, carefully stepping around some Monitor Lizards sunning themselves on the sand.<br />
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I was gingerly stepping around a particularly large lizard when Sir Olan turned back to me and whispered excitedly that the bird was there!!! I rounded a large tree and there it was! My first lifer for 2019: the <span style="color: orange;">Palawan Peacock Pheasant</span>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciy59DaD45urUICqXycifCuEpRFp0bDMSasvdbIsDQvohptDeEOlDDUCyEv39_5C01sBKputud9mMHBpRN2gS4IEq9LhWOrrlxqvtS63ytvwJtH8Z-KU_Fmpvqh5iI7zTxlFTiKKaHjoI/s1600/Palawan+Peacock+Pheasant01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciy59DaD45urUICqXycifCuEpRFp0bDMSasvdbIsDQvohptDeEOlDDUCyEv39_5C01sBKputud9mMHBpRN2gS4IEq9LhWOrrlxqvtS63ytvwJtH8Z-KU_Fmpvqh5iI7zTxlFTiKKaHjoI/s640/Palawan+Peacock+Pheasant01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palawan Peacock Pheasant</td></tr>
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I quickly raised my binoculars to my eyes and enjoyed the up close and personal view of this handsome bird. I took in its feather details and its markings from its head to its tail, which has these two rows of beautiful ovals with an amazing blue gradient which reminded me of turquoise!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7mW70yGQTPQ1YylXOYQ1ybsU8NZcKsIHtEEehvmkbyeh4SnPyHEAL_QCBKDYFEGtSqpMAk-yvSwp__aeW07mWPSnt6yv5YZuBlErb1saPiL0u7pzHvJJfCjgxgVY4oMhNSWrrY_VLi1w/s1600/Sabang05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7mW70yGQTPQ1YylXOYQ1ybsU8NZcKsIHtEEehvmkbyeh4SnPyHEAL_QCBKDYFEGtSqpMAk-yvSwp__aeW07mWPSnt6yv5YZuBlErb1saPiL0u7pzHvJJfCjgxgVY4oMhNSWrrY_VLi1w/s640/Sabang05.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have an amazing Creator!💗<3 td=""></3></td></tr>
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I passed on my binoculars to Sir Fer and starting taking more photos. The rangers feed the Pheasant with rice grains making it a regular sight in the area. One of the rangers even showed me a cellphone photo of the bird with its tail spread out like a turkey! I silently wished we would see that!<br />
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The Pheasant moved away from the sandy area and towards a more forested part. It even chased Sir Olan away as he moved further from it to keep it within frame! Exciting stuff!</div>
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Sir Fer and I left Sir Olan for a bit to go look at the lagoon entrance of the Underground River. We were gifted with two soaring <span style="color: orange;">White-bellied Sea Eagles</span> while we dipped our feet in the cool and super clear water!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvCylG5Mj2KGHQJdGQ5b141uuszhXsQhUw5hLhblFo28Kgi5wMWKNSLoOiKihofYgY0pNBaNIDX22QA29c6qQDSW0-uE12-URXYjSgiOXzR6xclf7fEuZij8GQ8SVpCUI9qTMcET_Pf05/s1600/Sabang07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvCylG5Mj2KGHQJdGQ5b141uuszhXsQhUw5hLhblFo28Kgi5wMWKNSLoOiKihofYgY0pNBaNIDX22QA29c6qQDSW0-uE12-URXYjSgiOXzR6xclf7fEuZij8GQ8SVpCUI9qTMcET_Pf05/s640/Sabang07.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last time I was here was in the early 2000s. Happy to see the place well-preserved and pristine!</td></tr>
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As we reunited with the rest of our group, we headed out to where we left Sir Olan so the others can get a look at the Pheasant. We found him seated on the sand just beside the generator and the bird was perched on a log and was calling! I slowly crept beside Sir Olan and took photos and some videos.</div>
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The Palawan Peacock Pheasant then hopped off its log and foraged deeper into the forest. We left satisfied with the amazing views and observations we made. Of course we took the obligatory group photo at the beach before boarding our banca and heading on to our next stop: the nearby Mangrove Paddleboat Tour.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1hBn37EHrn4gD9nVqHh663TuWyU9EfqgnOda8nnrNBq16jZxOY2QEYk65Vc07Jmq8pLt8uu4VErGFgebjCbgdPZvyGDukhb99WbgprsG93vK1D-DSIVPQzIN1tbc-fyi2Bn8ycFf-wb1/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1hBn37EHrn4gD9nVqHh663TuWyU9EfqgnOda8nnrNBq16jZxOY2QEYk65Vc07Jmq8pLt8uu4VErGFgebjCbgdPZvyGDukhb99WbgprsG93vK1D-DSIVPQzIN1tbc-fyi2Bn8ycFf-wb1/s640/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy faces all!</td></tr>
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After a short walk, a self-pulled raft ride, and a quick water break, we found ourselves in a small paddle boat gliding on the water and surrounded by beautiful mangroves. I got my wish for a mangrove snake too! I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but they don't come close to the actual experience. If you haven't tried this tour, you should definitely put it in your Palawan itinerary!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkGuoyHr2hBQflGKSY7Qw0s8t48J32ILmRnM05S43x1RJfjT5xoBygpTCXVmFOB2ExProQfGRc8j1e6a13wO0TP0UbTd22dkeJZEDJitlPN-JpQBnUGwhcvSd_xipRZTVL5Me5w2cpP4k/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkGuoyHr2hBQflGKSY7Qw0s8t48J32ILmRnM05S43x1RJfjT5xoBygpTCXVmFOB2ExProQfGRc8j1e6a13wO0TP0UbTd22dkeJZEDJitlPN-JpQBnUGwhcvSd_xipRZTVL5Me5w2cpP4k/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r8GyYJewiBcYT7HUXIBNjvdjBWKC82Lcu29sUI7mMnMFmcOECW3kWcP7x0fiGiiyRM_9epvl-rY49qyRyii0JRQKjM6fX68ByQENI_PwMnG3WAplJtx_ssmEGMJSLeZlBA6lLLJEucmR/s1600/IMG_4296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r8GyYJewiBcYT7HUXIBNjvdjBWKC82Lcu29sUI7mMnMFmcOECW3kWcP7x0fiGiiyRM_9epvl-rY49qyRyii0JRQKjM6fX68ByQENI_PwMnG3WAplJtx_ssmEGMJSLeZlBA6lLLJEucmR/s640/IMG_4296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove Cat Snake yay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8lXRJsOAbqlekBvOFjSoGz36UB7uhn2Ro6XdzSl2acMq-1mKOqSSVLpf9bhZFZwYcld1YPZbDvI4VQbXSG8EDx47WqNDDx1e2W-aDxGrnFTOjHi8de8K5-n-oGmyAbnkYhHAKyAV8BMH/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8lXRJsOAbqlekBvOFjSoGz36UB7uhn2Ro6XdzSl2acMq-1mKOqSSVLpf9bhZFZwYcld1YPZbDvI4VQbXSG8EDx47WqNDDx1e2W-aDxGrnFTOjHi8de8K5-n-oGmyAbnkYhHAKyAV8BMH/s640/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view during the paddle boat tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijky0TanvUfKN1Q-jEkblyxjr8EXIlU2ZiWWPDAuEFytQA8zwgNOy3sZH_G1WbBNXlRsYncFGzHWh_fZXbdZ3ZHnALk0IfhUttgJ9zFDVoNkJKMNWFISKfuPLa9xnIE8xZqqBodORFbY7k/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijky0TanvUfKN1Q-jEkblyxjr8EXIlU2ZiWWPDAuEFytQA8zwgNOy3sZH_G1WbBNXlRsYncFGzHWh_fZXbdZ3ZHnALk0IfhUttgJ9zFDVoNkJKMNWFISKfuPLa9xnIE8xZqqBodORFbY7k/s640/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This river is protected and is an important breeding ground for many species of fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS_jgGYHOrLpYlrWjDBIZcfG41u-nGXFrsveNu_xPatIvRonqyyxNrzJSxBvwlnb98vDcjHIKzL6UyLZR6Gy6HJerTJskgQ9yUklU1MHPOXl6EkupNQD3XmyJvUbqKoHN-H1i-M3CfkZJ/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS_jgGYHOrLpYlrWjDBIZcfG41u-nGXFrsveNu_xPatIvRonqyyxNrzJSxBvwlnb98vDcjHIKzL6UyLZR6Gy6HJerTJskgQ9yUklU1MHPOXl6EkupNQD3XmyJvUbqKoHN-H1i-M3CfkZJ/s640/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being surrounded by the healthy mangrove forest was amazing! I couldn't help but feel bad and scared for Manila Bay...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlYcafQze8-mLK3bx8wwH-fID-Sc1eIYAZLsQ_DGITF9Q16ulKl4XTbbQ6Iru_nBoEmWZ_PEBuGzSUFFS-01RRlVVzl6IcP6KLwPz6NFchlq7-U3aWm7VneZAv9whCDSHTfKLwhUpSixg/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlYcafQze8-mLK3bx8wwH-fID-Sc1eIYAZLsQ_DGITF9Q16ulKl4XTbbQ6Iru_nBoEmWZ_PEBuGzSUFFS-01RRlVVzl6IcP6KLwPz6NFchlq7-U3aWm7VneZAv9whCDSHTfKLwhUpSixg/s640/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were century-old mangrove trees along the river bank</td></tr>
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On our way back, our boatman even sang us a song composed by the group of boat men manning the tour. While taking in my surroundings accompanied by the musical stirrings of our boatman, small schools of fish swam peacefully alongside our small boat. It was all so clean, so natural, and so serene. See, Philippines? It can be done!</div>
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We said our goodbyes to our friendly boat man and made our way to lunch. It was a quick but very refreshing trip to Sabang! Palawan is such a beautiful place and I hope its natural beauty and resources are preserved and protected. After all, it is called the Philippines' Last Frontier. See you again soon, Palawan!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofsw5-81RuOxxu7xzvKmo7ifINA5p1p4k_Uf9dBJH5QBA4kkRhJ0YeUNID6EEm77KVRURTkc7aHEetsJc2sqW6GTE-5XH1LOI6pipTltQnRmLO5weZWSmOzkkBPYMaq9ttzdzO23TYPKR/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofsw5-81RuOxxu7xzvKmo7ifINA5p1p4k_Uf9dBJH5QBA4kkRhJ0YeUNID6EEm77KVRURTkc7aHEetsJc2sqW6GTE-5XH1LOI6pipTltQnRmLO5weZWSmOzkkBPYMaq9ttzdzO23TYPKR/s640/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-15464498080730985802019-03-18T11:00:00.000+08:002019-04-07T17:45:11.316+08:00Sasmuan's Surprise Spoonbills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in two counts for 2019's Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in sites I've never been to before. As always, the experience of visiting a new place in the Philippines is unforgettable and will forever be shared with the people alongside me.<br />
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The first count I volunteered for gave a surprise sighting that even
made it to the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer! I've joined in a
number of bird counts and surveys of Manila Bay with Arne Jensen, the Records
Committee Chair of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines and an associate
expert of Wetlands International but I've never been to the count site I was
assigned to last January 12. Djop and I were assigned to join the team of Mads
and Lu-Ann Bajarias to count in Sasmuan, Pampanga which included Bangkung
Malapad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOzonbH1jBXuz1c0rsshK1iAb-cpLPYw-v-oJd2-NY7-srJzieqwMx-A6h6oS03tx4NlY94MAO3F9LcIJXp7CFN-9Avg4YPNobVDpYLn5OYUogOOlyBshMp_zn19Icbk2wZIEaZE2HkCX/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOzonbH1jBXuz1c0rsshK1iAb-cpLPYw-v-oJd2-NY7-srJzieqwMx-A6h6oS03tx4NlY94MAO3F9LcIJXp7CFN-9Avg4YPNobVDpYLn5OYUogOOlyBshMp_zn19Icbk2wZIEaZE2HkCX/s400/IMG_3232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boardwalk entrance of SBMCHEA</td></tr>
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Our jump-off point was the fish market in Orani, Bataan so our team of four was already on the road before 3:00AM. We arrived in Orani and was met by Freddy, our boatman for the trip. We wanted to be at Bangkung Malapad by sunrise so we boarded our <i>katig</i>-less banca in the dark and headed off to Manila Bay.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlXc2_J9bwlz_UkX5RJddmD5wGMLpP29SXvV2Ji2mNiYG9xt9jxVqH82nNXOZX8Vv-T0SUz-cPqWbg74cWYsy_6nMblz10k628u3xubkMa3_Xyfzzls3hA7F1fJ-G83LGiG8qwtR98OWU/s1600/IMG_3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlXc2_J9bwlz_UkX5RJddmD5wGMLpP29SXvV2Ji2mNiYG9xt9jxVqH82nNXOZX8Vv-T0SUz-cPqWbg74cWYsy_6nMblz10k628u3xubkMa3_Xyfzzls3hA7F1fJ-G83LGiG8qwtR98OWU/s400/IMG_3219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As our surroundings became lighter, we were joined by groups of birds skimming the surface of the water around us. It was a such beautiful dawn!<br />
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We were soon approaching the entrance to Bangkung Malapad. Bangkung Malapad, also called the <a href="http://sbmchea.zohosites.com/?fbclid=IwAR0bEXoS8gYmZeGAYx8qBwG24gbwwXFaAc_prvFSAmq1uL5gsWTc1ClcKJo" target="_blank">Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area</a> (SBMCHEA) is a small islet in Manila Bay and boasts of mangrove trees and mudflats where migratory birds can be found.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsIXEwGnudo8S2gPtT9bbp5tGas757P5ihQ9ZpcveFZHpvOG1c14ofvfSNSW7ldwIAtQ_wHVc-HcTi7nppj0x08rKeJAv_fesTRnZRjaUNLPP6sGjOP7Uzz-NsXOvayk1JJuolEonk7rJ/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsIXEwGnudo8S2gPtT9bbp5tGas757P5ihQ9ZpcveFZHpvOG1c14ofvfSNSW7ldwIAtQ_wHVc-HcTi7nppj0x08rKeJAv_fesTRnZRjaUNLPP6sGjOP7Uzz-NsXOvayk1JJuolEonk7rJ/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our banca as we approached the entrance to SBMCHEA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixACjsM-7CBwomucvkVLhprDnyit48IzBbmDlZZ55GIRDlx6iXW-rG0bLJE1xG0oHrbWfMFGWCNgVNNfhkN9st0zow55YWSnQVnqwhC38Jemod4xo6QhTPaQza88_WmGik75gqQsxyiydt/s1600/AWC+201903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixACjsM-7CBwomucvkVLhprDnyit48IzBbmDlZZ55GIRDlx6iXW-rG0bLJE1xG0oHrbWfMFGWCNgVNNfhkN9st0zow55YWSnQVnqwhC38Jemod4xo6QhTPaQza88_WmGik75gqQsxyiydt/s400/AWC+201903.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through the mangroves to the view deck.</td></tr>
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As we got to the viewdeck, we all began setting up: scopes, cameras, food... when I saw three heavy-ish birds flying our direction. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed their distinct heavy bills so when I raised my binoculars to confirm what I thought they were, I couldn't contain my excitement and exclaimed loudly to the group: "Spoonbills!!!" In my excitement at this completely unexpected sighting, I struggled finding the "Black-faced" portion of their name, spinning in place as I forced my brain to cooperate. "<span style="color: orange;">Black-faced Spoonbills</span>!" I finally managed to say. I looked at my friends and was even more delighted to know that all of them saw the spoonbills and that they were lifers for Djop and Mads (yay!), and a country lifer for Lu-Ann (yay!)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt3jzjkaR3zfYs7kRf_65Ta_f9qfoFJENU3DZMNCSZ2VE5YbArqqOmfVSKwqSNZ3dv-IwzPVcvGGAYHJKAHpIFu2HFxu-E8hTXgFTauj728df0BEnnpkWNmmw5SC6EpkhZC2HXVyieeTv/s1600/Black+faced+Spoonbill01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt3jzjkaR3zfYs7kRf_65Ta_f9qfoFJENU3DZMNCSZ2VE5YbArqqOmfVSKwqSNZ3dv-IwzPVcvGGAYHJKAHpIFu2HFxu-E8hTXgFTauj728df0BEnnpkWNmmw5SC6EpkhZC2HXVyieeTv/s400/Black+faced+Spoonbill01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trio of Black-faced Spoonbills flying against the pinkish sky</td></tr>
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The spoonbills flew around the view deck a number of times, giving us great views and chances for photographs in our slowly brightening surroundings. We thought (and hoped and prayed) that they would land in the mudflats right in front of us, but sadly they did not and instead flew away behind the mangroves and out of sight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPOZ2xmlIiuD-d3Ud0qwZS4eniQaygNMiXk3yPIQQvT6r-Bg9DBZ3mrDsEbgtCUG6VxfzkuzQA5yO6udBgoLnvuulpIuyH0cNKCXJDwePrXWf70W_LwOCXnVZDvZdHEnYkMLPRmI21Mq2/s1600/IMG_3241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPOZ2xmlIiuD-d3Ud0qwZS4eniQaygNMiXk3yPIQQvT6r-Bg9DBZ3mrDsEbgtCUG6VxfzkuzQA5yO6udBgoLnvuulpIuyH0cNKCXJDwePrXWf70W_LwOCXnVZDvZdHEnYkMLPRmI21Mq2/s400/IMG_3241.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the view deck as photographed from the mudflats</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1hK_LfSkT0oAXJau6NTSaZY1m8Cc4EnHTqteykH6YWDqLmLCCdQcy_R5bMBbonAvYfzCE_NWJagrNSbXexfsXCCBrtFyQ-2ouNt8TNf9mxx6dNXyI5OPhP4tqYjsxRJkCcNR_15GMQib/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1hK_LfSkT0oAXJau6NTSaZY1m8Cc4EnHTqteykH6YWDqLmLCCdQcy_R5bMBbonAvYfzCE_NWJagrNSbXexfsXCCBrtFyQ-2ouNt8TNf9mxx6dNXyI5OPhP4tqYjsxRJkCcNR_15GMQib/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Djop scoping out birds out on the mudflats from the view deck</td></tr>
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The spoonbills did not make any more appearances the rest of the day but we did get to see quite a big number of other birds: <span style="color: orange;">Black-headed Gulls</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Great</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Intermediate </span>and <span style="color: orange;">Little </span><span style="color: orange;">Egrets</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Asian Golden Plovers</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Gull-billed Terns</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Whiskered Terns </span>of course, and some <span style="color: orange;">Caspian Terns</span>. We were soon joined by counters from the DENR, DOT, and WBPP and we scanned and counted the further sides of the mudflats which are covered by the mangroves if you stand on the view deck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFpomCgiDSHGfl6mzSkVrdYTK5yprVWDf8H6rdEOH5zla0mb_NGeRAsK0xD-ZfDkBz1lp_uCKdOUbjQKUEdHWr1ZWiXOS_1lttC0alVgCviVgjxZTXL5eBtFfr67shCuPcYin7nUbMDah/s1600/AWC+201905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFpomCgiDSHGfl6mzSkVrdYTK5yprVWDf8H6rdEOH5zla0mb_NGeRAsK0xD-ZfDkBz1lp_uCKdOUbjQKUEdHWr1ZWiXOS_1lttC0alVgCviVgjxZTXL5eBtFfr67shCuPcYin7nUbMDah/s400/AWC+201905.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Mads and Lu-Ann counting by the mangroves</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95JoW5WHfdO-uMpIfEkcvBZTxkZXVmSN6LeqZc6zkB5dKae7LdrxlRniyQY0d4zlDIPxzfo3zsETIQ-T56EVXFgXp_TFrHQKgEea-WMM4qrgcLlKZbiHENCluam69nOLudt_9TnEoSHNX/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95JoW5WHfdO-uMpIfEkcvBZTxkZXVmSN6LeqZc6zkB5dKae7LdrxlRniyQY0d4zlDIPxzfo3zsETIQ-T56EVXFgXp_TFrHQKgEea-WMM4qrgcLlKZbiHENCluam69nOLudt_9TnEoSHNX/s400/IMG_3276.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me and Djop counting from the mudflats<br />
Thank you, Lu-Ann for the photo! =)</td></tr>
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After we counted the area of birds, we said our goodbyes to the rest of the team, boarded our banca and headed off to our other count spots in the area. Sadly, there weren't much to see in the stops we made save for feeding flocks of Whiskered Terns and egrets. We did pass by a small group of Black-winged Stilts but not much other waders.<br />
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We made our way back to Orani, stopping by a large expanse of exposed mudflats which held quite a big number of plovers. The mud was too wet and mushy for us to stand on for better views, so we took note of the site (no longer in Bulacan) and went back to the fish port. We collated our data over lunch and drove back to the city with a total of more than 9,000 birds for our count. The number was quite low but not bad, plus we had a mega record sighting of the Black-faced Spoonbills too! Black-faced Spoonbills are globally endangered and our sighting last January was the first in more than 100 years since it was last recorded in Manila Bay.</div>
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With more and more birders looking at the birds in different areas in Manila Bay, hopefully the efforts to protect and conserve it will pay off. And hopefully, with sightings such as the Black-faced Spoonbills among other birds, there is more than enough justification for the protection of the habitat, not only for the birds and other wildlife, but also for humans too.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1kTV-wBNwK6NTg_IZ_aQ1OFgV0mFws4CMdSTSfqd2m0GcS94fNdxTQqMwgTTYGm5uHojp08vKzHAvHu-AyDWMfL4znVpgGOg5qZajRAAmCPoj-X7tU1lvPVpqiMEW_i3sNEHt6A85JXC/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1kTV-wBNwK6NTg_IZ_aQ1OFgV0mFws4CMdSTSfqd2m0GcS94fNdxTQqMwgTTYGm5uHojp08vKzHAvHu-AyDWMfL4znVpgGOg5qZajRAAmCPoj-X7tU1lvPVpqiMEW_i3sNEHt6A85JXC/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy AWC volunteers! =)</td></tr>
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Here's a <a href="https://ebonph.wordpress.com/2019/03/02/rare-migratory-bird-species-sighted-on-flight-over-pampanga-islet/" target="_blank">link to the article Lu-Ann wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and republished in WBCP's eBON.</a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-weight: normal;">For those interested in visiting Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, please coordinate with Jaison Salenga, Tourism Officer of the Sasmuan Tourism Office, at mobile number 09397381295 or email pampangasasmuan@gmail.com. They have local boat operators accredited by their office. Boat rental is Php2,500 (capacity of 10) and they have an Ecological Fee of Php100/person. Staff from the Tourism Office will assist you on site.</i></h4>
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-56573782128337185422019-01-15T18:17:00.000+08:002019-01-15T18:18:46.095+08:00A Day in Manolo FortichI've never been to this part of the Philippines before and I've never met this birder before as well. So it was very exciting for me to have gotten the chance to explore the bird life in the area and also to finally meet Doc Miguel de Leon in the flesh, after admiring his conservation work and his amazing photos of flora and fauna on Facebook.<br />
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Miguel is my peg when it comes to hospitality and I dream of being as generous a host as he is! Seriously! Over and above from the hassle-free travelling arrangements from Iligan to Cagayan de Oro, the warm accommodation in his beautiful home, the birding was of course a highlight. Of course! Since I got a lifer! =)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2yVOySaH7s0mAmqGrdvLI0Us2t5VIW8wWkMloiVNJcAeDmwnBwLY9jUayvtqJLyPVtVqoG9c1b9iFvmEaE6n3agu3Mcxoi6KvfcpXVnijexmt49_fk_5CzR31I4TFRu0v-qgnf1OL-Pz/s1600/BSK01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2yVOySaH7s0mAmqGrdvLI0Us2t5VIW8wWkMloiVNJcAeDmwnBwLY9jUayvtqJLyPVtVqoG9c1b9iFvmEaE6n3agu3Mcxoi6KvfcpXVnijexmt49_fk_5CzR31I4TFRu0v-qgnf1OL-Pz/s400/BSK01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My year-end lifer for 2018: Black-shouldered Kite</td></tr>
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But let me backtrack a bit...<br />
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After touching base in Miguel's beautiful home in Cagayan de Oro (did I mention it was a beautiful home? I did, did I? Let me say it again: Miguel has a beautiful home!), we convoyed to his farm in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGqDjJ8Y0rfzntB9h2wJZF9ThMc86ovyUmITyOntpLOppa0Oq5Uwgty63IWUsqhYzjoOl8g13_ygBvefVxb6-1ObLtFYSuJb-kMBcH8S3LhsjcjTg7zWQlJEEVCBgLIUVBef9iRY6T0TD/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGqDjJ8Y0rfzntB9h2wJZF9ThMc86ovyUmITyOntpLOppa0Oq5Uwgty63IWUsqhYzjoOl8g13_ygBvefVxb6-1ObLtFYSuJb-kMBcH8S3LhsjcjTg7zWQlJEEVCBgLIUVBef9iRY6T0TD/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful gazebo! That's Whistler, the giant puppy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wb2aJ8lD6siLW1GZl3SW3XQ7u4xnXgm6D-pZwxeEKhdANPKiOETIC4267lrefkfW0kim4tGIPCaCC2q6c6vJozigBnTZRLUw-oDsARUF2Mc8bTvILV94psJHed5dnagm1s_AJLpmREbG/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wb2aJ8lD6siLW1GZl3SW3XQ7u4xnXgm6D-pZwxeEKhdANPKiOETIC4267lrefkfW0kim4tGIPCaCC2q6c6vJozigBnTZRLUw-oDsARUF2Mc8bTvILV94psJHed5dnagm1s_AJLpmREbG/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert: Maia, coffee, and a good book</td></tr>
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We were to check out the ambiguous pair of young cuckoos in his farm that looks to be young Philippine Hawk Cuckoos but calls like Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoos. Hmmm, an intriguing bird mystery! We proceeded to the hide positioned in the area where the birds showed regularly and waited.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPMym689z4Kep2Lc_ew0UhOO7he4rKvYLLL5b-s8ep8FL3-ogKTHZGCeak7ToH-B3hRh3npPkB3U92Ge6jOhEgeLWpgRP-5YiLr-tvGLviD4-ZdFgLN36wTcpbuVcU4xoE9_PN0uOU9UT/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPMym689z4Kep2Lc_ew0UhOO7he4rKvYLLL5b-s8ep8FL3-ogKTHZGCeak7ToH-B3hRh3npPkB3U92Ge6jOhEgeLWpgRP-5YiLr-tvGLviD4-ZdFgLN36wTcpbuVcU4xoE9_PN0uOU9UT/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The short walk to the hide</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCzNfNzeXflX-0TMk7taDUD-PICP5-archdqmmLNUDL0PCFO6un9RMCWjQ-vZYj2uuawu7mcBv5DaHrCib1_WYF8i_g0e-MryDVcaWGlQoqKS6DiOwDqiuxlNZMYVg_Dm5bcvVQprguF1/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCzNfNzeXflX-0TMk7taDUD-PICP5-archdqmmLNUDL0PCFO6un9RMCWjQ-vZYj2uuawu7mcBv5DaHrCib1_WYF8i_g0e-MryDVcaWGlQoqKS6DiOwDqiuxlNZMYVg_Dm5bcvVQprguF1/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the hide facing the mango trees where the cuckoos usually perch</td></tr>
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Miguel, Djop, and I comfortably fit inside the hide which was lined with banana leaves. Miguel's resident guide, Dynos, made sure we were all seated and had good vantage points to see the birds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajcqIz5neXv6rci0s77P6wYRkSrDpAWalbtSvxopF9MfrRi4DKkVs1MbrNv23BGnFcwcy5tQll21Ip60-Ru_aZvLjZ1W2BLqSsza4q67R0CyrXp4Rw5U6TUFRIe3CivwJg-NHByz-ypri/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajcqIz5neXv6rci0s77P6wYRkSrDpAWalbtSvxopF9MfrRi4DKkVs1MbrNv23BGnFcwcy5tQll21Ip60-Ru_aZvLjZ1W2BLqSsza4q67R0CyrXp4Rw5U6TUFRIe3CivwJg-NHByz-ypri/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Dynos helping us setup inside the hide</td></tr>
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When we were finally settled inside the hide, we began our wait. Of course, birders will never run out of stories to share with each other! So in hushed voices and darting eyes on the lookout for the cuckoos outside, we chatted and laughed and exchanged stories. The conversation was so much fun, I did not realize it had been hours! The cuckoos sadly did not show, possibly because of the constant presence of some bully Collared Kingfishers in the area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYcph16EuKIV0TcFbaH5qYm0JsnpMacFl0un4Fde_rZv89TnWWI8zyf8N2fPV2dcO75UgUWlrg9AtaaVs_K-b2mEhsk5hyiI9Y1fxbC6gnidcCAUj-P0VTPDAsfCh4Vd7VrFkinQPrurq/s1600/Collared+Kingfisher01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYcph16EuKIV0TcFbaH5qYm0JsnpMacFl0un4Fde_rZv89TnWWI8zyf8N2fPV2dcO75UgUWlrg9AtaaVs_K-b2mEhsk5hyiI9Y1fxbC6gnidcCAUj-P0VTPDAsfCh4Vd7VrFkinQPrurq/s400/Collared+Kingfisher01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bully!</td></tr>
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Djop and I went out first to have some lunch while Miguel stayed behind inside the hide. While having lunch we enjoyed the quiet and the fresh air while watching some Pied Trillers, Olive-backed Sunbirds, Red-keeled Flowerpeckers, and even an immature Brahminy Kite in our surroundings.<br />
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We returned to the hide after lunch to wait for the cuckoos to show but sadly they didn't. After a while, we decided to go for our other target bird for the trip: the Black-shouldered Kite. </div>
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I was excited to see this handsome bird and I was not to be disappointed! We were still on the road when Dynos announced that the birds were there in their usual site. We parked closer and got out the car and I got to view my year-end lifer for 2018.</div>
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We saw them chasing a crow, perching atop African Tulip trees in between aerial attacks. I was also attacked when I walked away from our group to get a closer look at the birds. I actually got scared when I saw the Kite angle its wings towards me in a dive and give a harsh squawk as it passed over my head! I brisk-walked back to our group, shielding my eyes but still seeing the bird circle around me to prepare for another attack! It screamed at my retreating form three times before it finally let me be and I reunited with my group, who were all smiling at my being attacked by the bird.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP7N-g6z4WcbQekomvAoY9fdsU2o-WBU8on9IGLXPxg2ncOtUf9fD5Xp4J61Xg8kLE0_mXW2O5JDZ07_BpTlJwaZyL4iRkoZcuDlVzB9AC-sCmjHSh0ak7yj3sEwJE6eKhglNhTJH0ebh/s1600/BSK05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP7N-g6z4WcbQekomvAoY9fdsU2o-WBU8on9IGLXPxg2ncOtUf9fD5Xp4J61Xg8kLE0_mXW2O5JDZ07_BpTlJwaZyL4iRkoZcuDlVzB9AC-sCmjHSh0ak7yj3sEwJE6eKhglNhTJH0ebh/s400/BSK05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just wanted a closer look at this!</td></tr>
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We decided to ride the car to get closer views and as we got out of the car to observe the two birds perched on a leafless tree... they mated! How cool was that!? As we were heading back out to Miguel's farm, we even got treated to a display of a Black-shouldered Kite hovering over a field, fluttering its wings before dropping a few feet. It caught a rat among the pineapple plants and flew away with its catch. Will upload a short video of the behaviors we observed soon!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EAvHguP_s_f5PzvzADtYoafBErFwMUIuxbYoo1sQlJB4syXYpsqT4Uut8ZjiRIU5xKmEjUidlS4khB3fNN6P4aw3PgE_unqrQO1MLf7LYApBJAekBkXXyjNPhfXG0YZZceRuLuFCeJ5k/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EAvHguP_s_f5PzvzADtYoafBErFwMUIuxbYoo1sQlJB4syXYpsqT4Uut8ZjiRIU5xKmEjUidlS4khB3fNN6P4aw3PgE_unqrQO1MLf7LYApBJAekBkXXyjNPhfXG0YZZceRuLuFCeJ5k/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Djop, me, and Miguel:<br />
Thumbs definitely up after observing the Black-shouldered Kites!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We returned to the farm but the cuckoos were nowhere to be found. So Djop and I boarded our vehicle to return to Miguel's home for dinner, stopping first for a toilet break. As we were leaving from the toilet break, our driver Jan got a call from Miguel: the cuckoos were there!!! We rushed back to the farm and as the last light of day faded into night, the mystery immature cuckoo called the distinct call of a Philippine Hawk Cuckoo. Mystery solved!</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHF4ojoeQBeDNzyUKFb4Yk6vSMqrOlxpjz1ASBzqrngM3KSVi5ZP69_q-Xd3dJAoc58eyQ43Pev4ZmT5J8B4nwEE9D_QlqHu3b9o9X36_CwuW0DR6v0QRZotUUkQkZyIRkXQzK2Ny6Ixe/s1600/Cuckoo02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHF4ojoeQBeDNzyUKFb4Yk6vSMqrOlxpjz1ASBzqrngM3KSVi5ZP69_q-Xd3dJAoc58eyQ43Pev4ZmT5J8B4nwEE9D_QlqHu3b9o9X36_CwuW0DR6v0QRZotUUkQkZyIRkXQzK2Ny6Ixe/s400/Cuckoo02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you it was dark!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the cuckoos flew off into the night, we made our way back to Cagayan de Oro for a delicious dinner with fellow birder Neil and his family.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTpCY3nEwFy99-AzCX9V0QHEPRYG6PBCVA9w-UnVtAUdU9wi1AZJt3DYVAHw1-dc7bxkk39ShRAn0DVgREANDRztmzXxSpdFULaUnBBFcPfTEmVIpMZQOmEtwviLGAferd-Hw-vZMb3P8/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTpCY3nEwFy99-AzCX9V0QHEPRYG6PBCVA9w-UnVtAUdU9wi1AZJt3DYVAHw1-dc7bxkk39ShRAn0DVgREANDRztmzXxSpdFULaUnBBFcPfTEmVIpMZQOmEtwviLGAferd-Hw-vZMb3P8/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you again and again, Miguel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our visit was short but very sweet indeed! Thank you again, Miguel! It was such a pleasure meeting you and being welcomed into your home and birding "playground"!maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-22544644867979707242018-12-04T08:58:00.003+08:002018-12-04T08:58:47.862+08:009th ABF Chiayi - Arrivals, Museum, Food!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again I have been blessed with the golden opportunity
to join another Asian Bird Fair, the 9<sup>th</sup> ABF in Chiayi, Taiwan. So
far, this is my fourth ABF since it started in 2010 and I am truly amazed at
how big the ABF family has grown. The ABF slogan is “Celebrating Birds Across
Borders” and each Asian Bird Fair lives up to that, connecting birders across
the world with each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGYAxoUGx6aDr4HyhYQ-cdp-Ws3LvM3HTs8dvxDIlAwWgrbo-w-pjfgPxT4P74dAlx6-oV4oYwlF2yQyQsJXUQFol7WkWj0hW67fXe7VPy1rTFP1BVzfvuOgokpR-Be6RK5Aj5ad4h25J/s1600/official+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGYAxoUGx6aDr4HyhYQ-cdp-Ws3LvM3HTs8dvxDIlAwWgrbo-w-pjfgPxT4P74dAlx6-oV4oYwlF2yQyQsJXUQFol7WkWj0hW67fXe7VPy1rTFP1BVzfvuOgokpR-Be6RK5Aj5ad4h25J/s320/official+logo.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logo featuring the Pied Avocet designed by Arnel Telesforo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This year’s ABF is the largest so far, with more than 180
delegates from 29 countries flying to Taiwan and making their way to Chiayi.
Upon landing in Taipei, we immediately saw Boris, Patricio, and Eduardo from Ecuador.
Ecuador! I haven’t even stepped out of the airport and I was making new friends
with people from a continent away! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievaUbHQdl2p67VmmqMPa8n-dE5iKciPs25GS8x1j41sKotjqpHMlKP7O8sb8_BMzXOjo7A1siipkkmGb1Pr5U4RX_SlPbcW6N3IDTpF6kuX-WdhMNAw18FIyunC9p-33QOR6v8mT0hTgt/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievaUbHQdl2p67VmmqMPa8n-dE5iKciPs25GS8x1j41sKotjqpHMlKP7O8sb8_BMzXOjo7A1siipkkmGb1Pr5U4RX_SlPbcW6N3IDTpF6kuX-WdhMNAw18FIyunC9p-33QOR6v8mT0hTgt/s320/IMG_1859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group shot at the Taoyuan Airport!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We said goodbye to Boris, Patricio, and Eduardo who were staying in Taipei for a night. Victor, Andrew, Mike, and I boarded a van and headed for Chiayi to prepare for the different activities in the next few days. That meant meetings, rehearsals, site inspections, and of course... eating! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFtMl6B7sBzxPxbMcza1uExnko0-EZRdYHcaBqfh7HjaeLv8UWWd1FTSEBw1Pd0v00UuYEaw30xfZJx0CfW8-Re3nBZuVw_2eP16qNHohSXDd7tk1P6Mz8Yxceh2pxZ2N1ALet8-PLp9/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFtMl6B7sBzxPxbMcza1uExnko0-EZRdYHcaBqfh7HjaeLv8UWWd1FTSEBw1Pd0v00UuYEaw30xfZJx0CfW8-Re3nBZuVw_2eP16qNHohSXDd7tk1P6Mz8Yxceh2pxZ2N1ALet8-PLp9/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at a chicken restaurant as we arrived in Chiayi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS1ow2wWyJ34d9_56D4rsJajMVC9eTACEnDHPQRnuh_jEMSj46Ik_YZ3YzhfiP7VzMdtT1fWfmMUBmX_tGpDJCj81C8vQ1czgOifj9v3KHt60eqn-Jjd03seI2NVuEnSsynUL2u3Vicfj/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS1ow2wWyJ34d9_56D4rsJajMVC9eTACEnDHPQRnuh_jEMSj46Ik_YZ3YzhfiP7VzMdtT1fWfmMUBmX_tGpDJCj81C8vQ1czgOifj9v3KHt60eqn-Jjd03seI2NVuEnSsynUL2u3Vicfj/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The specialty! Tender and flavorful chicken! It was served<br />with the delicious black pepper salt that I love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ6xMp09GedJAL3cDkTtlgstuKTISHlhzHB-o3tv-H-bgotnreqaB9OG0aFwOqFi4k8OvfzLqkPz3z6Wm-4rina2eeI0YIHTgiNDMozsUNJidhGh3OqWaChfk12NymVxMuuicCfGqd_Gi/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ6xMp09GedJAL3cDkTtlgstuKTISHlhzHB-o3tv-H-bgotnreqaB9OG0aFwOqFi4k8OvfzLqkPz3z6Wm-4rina2eeI0YIHTgiNDMozsUNJidhGh3OqWaChfk12NymVxMuuicCfGqd_Gi/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other delicious dishes to go with the chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gSFhyphenhyphen5m78U188O3y7-L2dD5y6Eu6VrJf3rPj7kJN7i8d_KCHfubj4NQH8VXA41S9cn0QEdEzgLKDon4oK_E7U2G5K-ZggUt70mm5L7ciJ-RWK7lTgwslA_DjxCMY5nfxLPz5p7YszrRF/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gSFhyphenhyphen5m78U188O3y7-L2dD5y6Eu6VrJf3rPj7kJN7i8d_KCHfubj4NQH8VXA41S9cn0QEdEzgLKDon4oK_E7U2G5K-ZggUt70mm5L7ciJ-RWK7lTgwslA_DjxCMY5nfxLPz5p7YszrRF/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicken are cooked in these ovens!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLmo6vwrgmCwf0mGc0-Eaf2aiaX2x9n2-UXfBvEyzdiRiM2_HN_r1IC8-81SJF6QvRfKOwwvDIpSGtnF7CEmfAU6gnJkqD-OrelIEiC5TTh8vtT_IhvEym6UnaqMtnz9c66tsQ9QGL-MJ/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLmo6vwrgmCwf0mGc0-Eaf2aiaX2x9n2-UXfBvEyzdiRiM2_HN_r1IC8-81SJF6QvRfKOwwvDIpSGtnF7CEmfAU6gnJkqD-OrelIEiC5TTh8vtT_IhvEym6UnaqMtnz9c66tsQ9QGL-MJ/s320/IMG_1890.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site inspection as the tents were being set-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXmLxvII_YCvXa0ftv2VB6qtzurCqMXzxJDMlE2MCfykCJMzvnwAUrIy0TGuz62D5jPsgSGCnRMfR9jE_WvFiilo3tJfbvtWVCaP70BsSTnEGh0P61gZPqTAwtioC6URMYp6iVuITJZ6w/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXmLxvII_YCvXa0ftv2VB6qtzurCqMXzxJDMlE2MCfykCJMzvnwAUrIy0TGuz62D5jPsgSGCnRMfR9jE_WvFiilo3tJfbvtWVCaP70BsSTnEGh0P61gZPqTAwtioC6URMYp6iVuITJZ6w/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsals for the opening ceremony with Greg, my co-emcee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzSQxgaKK_EU52jK6vYxvQ9TU4amjf4Gh-GxFlw25gFYopUddHHZli4xO3523QCCKtQr-89cm7oVnMahckXK7M2MQkEmuxSgFmFIicbniQ2XH66cZEvJCVgDP2HMvoAFX38InS6MGLWuK/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzSQxgaKK_EU52jK6vYxvQ9TU4amjf4Gh-GxFlw25gFYopUddHHZli4xO3523QCCKtQr-89cm7oVnMahckXK7M2MQkEmuxSgFmFIicbniQ2XH66cZEvJCVgDP2HMvoAFX38InS6MGLWuK/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch! Eating again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila8HBJIUC3vKvh5lQVI_fuc3fiFCp0bEZk8GAF03THD2nTSbNE8MezfXr0EsYVV57Ybf_o4ghP1bg8yFJ3OUgT9_n_eo7aAU1IFyf4otrLgHRzX0-Y5p9EnGeIKHMlUtX6pVxvuRKwQxP/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila8HBJIUC3vKvh5lQVI_fuc3fiFCp0bEZk8GAF03THD2nTSbNE8MezfXr0EsYVV57Ybf_o4ghP1bg8yFJ3OUgT9_n_eo7aAU1IFyf4otrLgHRzX0-Y5p9EnGeIKHMlUtX6pVxvuRKwQxP/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumplings, noodles, tofu, beef soup! I loved everything!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After our dumpling lunch, we headed to the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum for a tour with the delegates who have arrived early in Chiayi.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0_ov751U4HHwbo6BXqfaIACX6EtCaQb2YIlt2A90nQeB7KtItGQZeTbHOdH2eIcuRfJsFU5q1nWUxO7BE7aFlzXBWkCkwaZg3awofWs4bsNYllXHECfQyChhP5N5g9EmsXTMOsp9Z6NI/s1600/IMG_1920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0_ov751U4HHwbo6BXqfaIACX6EtCaQb2YIlt2A90nQeB7KtItGQZeTbHOdH2eIcuRfJsFU5q1nWUxO7BE7aFlzXBWkCkwaZg3awofWs4bsNYllXHECfQyChhP5N5g9EmsXTMOsp9Z6NI/s320/IMG_1920.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and I joined the delegates at the museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJEsCLYZJlpFgdGE-UcZ7po1Y6ykT6I6Jzg4vXUc_TT4aYsQkc7k9IO3ThEweUgz4__VpUhdfwaJMLc_L3XkI_XImU6kDqzxHyjI_WVaAVxeghgnGIJeYS8vzb-bo78R2-SkZXyKm6-OP/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJEsCLYZJlpFgdGE-UcZ7po1Y6ykT6I6Jzg4vXUc_TT4aYsQkc7k9IO3ThEweUgz4__VpUhdfwaJMLc_L3XkI_XImU6kDqzxHyjI_WVaAVxeghgnGIJeYS8vzb-bo78R2-SkZXyKm6-OP/s320/IMG_1922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the bridge and museum building. It was quite a<br />walk from the parking/drop-off area to the museum<br />building itself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qou4erTymEI3xdFMwQzY5V545xzWYgyuw3yC97heNozRVVJUefH9dzSgSvdAntOuTqxESa3uJXFBBawlpuVb5fiStOs7KQ51jegQrG5MqiCg98T0xJ_ZuOXP28tjqHFsYpG7qGuxxx27/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qou4erTymEI3xdFMwQzY5V545xzWYgyuw3yC97heNozRVVJUefH9dzSgSvdAntOuTqxESa3uJXFBBawlpuVb5fiStOs7KQ51jegQrG5MqiCg98T0xJ_ZuOXP28tjqHFsYpG7qGuxxx27/s320/IMG_1929.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqGzO-2atOIN8gqYcIMHJPR9IBDfI2gqNI2FIK5Lzb6666tXilq-UHn6SoLO31njkDke00KHOGoy1gjvvXRm6TRQ2BeTdypqdsNLsQzSBMyRZlysBbfk_0rOiPahzgsAfW_DcIGF6Xf4a/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqGzO-2atOIN8gqYcIMHJPR9IBDfI2gqNI2FIK5Lzb6666tXilq-UHn6SoLO31njkDke00KHOGoy1gjvvXRm6TRQ2BeTdypqdsNLsQzSBMyRZlysBbfk_0rOiPahzgsAfW_DcIGF6Xf4a/s320/IMG_1931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were given a guide map and earphones to better hear<br />our tour guide as she brought us around the different<br />exhibit rooms,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe_hZw6ApNbUv1RIICFSeSOpsipsqPhtDX0LRr_XaXVjzGzZzQ477hPWHr9gp9LDig1_gnp6mkvLGatCx-vhs77WDSJVpp-AVPA_lR6_h6GLBteMuO5_dwCGUUrqg9p5P2BPTGOVbT8v9/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe_hZw6ApNbUv1RIICFSeSOpsipsqPhtDX0LRr_XaXVjzGzZzQ477hPWHr9gp9LDig1_gnp6mkvLGatCx-vhs77WDSJVpp-AVPA_lR6_h6GLBteMuO5_dwCGUUrqg9p5P2BPTGOVbT8v9/s320/IMG_1942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ABF delegates on tour</td></tr>
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The tour ended and we made our way to the Renyi Lake Hotel where the Welcome Dinner was held. The Renyi Lake Hotel is located in a remote place near the Renyi Lake and is quite bird-y! Some delegates went birding after the Welcome Dinner and even saw an owl!!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance of Renyi Lake Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA8kNtra2bsF8bcsvvN_pctRjdfn6CAgqeotGMMEaDv3vMqjJJ1Bap1zniVl9jNY83Y1aZgfiSFetUO9eUUhJ2WYTne4p7UPN37dqvhREOMdBC2ZnK6UTfcSKhWDSBNTI4Reeze2cSzl3/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA8kNtra2bsF8bcsvvN_pctRjdfn6CAgqeotGMMEaDv3vMqjJJ1Bap1zniVl9jNY83Y1aZgfiSFetUO9eUUhJ2WYTne4p7UPN37dqvhREOMdBC2ZnK6UTfcSKhWDSBNTI4Reeze2cSzl3/s320/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view from my room at Renyi Lake Hotel</td></tr>
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The next day was the official start of the 9th ABF! That's another post coming up next!</div>
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To be continued...</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-66878315294658164832018-11-16T00:13:00.002+08:002018-11-16T21:03:43.322+08:004th PPUR International Bird Photography Race 2018Sometimes, things just fall into place and happen. That's exactly what happened last weekend when Djop and I found ourselves riding on the wave of excitement that was the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) 4th International Bird Photography Race.<br />
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It was through the urging of Sir Alain and the sponsorship of <b>MISLATEL </b>and <b>Netpoleon Philippines </b>through Sir Roy that Djop and I were able to sign up at the last minute. We booked our flights and were soon flying to Palawan for our first bird race.<br />
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The 4th International Bird Photography Race was part of the Subaraw Biodiversity Festival - PPUR Day Celebration which is held every November 11 as commemoration of the declaration of the Underground River as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2011. Subaraw comes from the words <i>suba</i> meaning "river" and <i>taraw</i> meaning "limestone cliff."<br />
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We arrived at Puerto Princesa together with a big contingent of birder friends who were also participating in the race and after a few photos at the airport were shuttled to the <a href="https://www.princesagardenisland.com/" target="_blank">Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa</a>. The official start of the activities was still the Welcome Dinner affording us a whole day to go out and bird!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwaiwoZ4cTSsDqdZuwFzHnbCW-v8DawPghIxM1tPpON1BxL-ECSthyGd22sSftFHII1oLDLNjTv725ed_gyovo-L_Sd9LNX4ZoJygXX0QOrYEW8mPaLLfEX5AeCF3sHhL8QhlEsqNCJVT/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwaiwoZ4cTSsDqdZuwFzHnbCW-v8DawPghIxM1tPpON1BxL-ECSthyGd22sSftFHII1oLDLNjTv725ed_gyovo-L_Sd9LNX4ZoJygXX0QOrYEW8mPaLLfEX5AeCF3sHhL8QhlEsqNCJVT/s400/IMG_1677.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accommodations for the participants of the bird race</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4Ty6TjT6RzpfvQUr_UqAaJk7e-V1OSLy9CFCI8UzbGZvBkWi38Rx-Acez4pVN6MbfOEjg0xEXnFH52fJ-VIdWoQaG7AEDQ7_GhbBfuGQWaU5v9IepamOl-rpCKe92eRbTrwra5Rd32dW/s1600/Birders14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4Ty6TjT6RzpfvQUr_UqAaJk7e-V1OSLy9CFCI8UzbGZvBkWi38Rx-Acez4pVN6MbfOEjg0xEXnFH52fJ-VIdWoQaG7AEDQ7_GhbBfuGQWaU5v9IepamOl-rpCKe92eRbTrwra5Rd32dW/s320/Birders14.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Warming up" at the hotel lobby</td></tr>
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As soon as everyone "transformed" from traveller to birder, we were on our way! We first dropped by the Badjao Seafront Restaurant to check for any birds that may have been showing. The Spotted Wood Owls were seen the night before just by the parking lot! We were too early for the owls, and I guess, too late for the other birds. We decided to proceed to <a href="https://www.atremaru.com/" target="_blank">Atremaru Jungle Retreat Resort</a> in Bgy. Buenavista, approximately a 1-hour drive from the resort.<br />
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Atremaru is a charming resort with cottages and trails offering great opportunities for birding. We were greeted by <b>Palawan Flowerpeckers</b> and <b>Palawan Tits</b> busily feeding in the trees around us. I spent most of my time at the balcony of the Carne Norte cottage and saw <b>Hair-crested Drongo</b>, <b>Palawan Blue Flycatcher</b>, <b>Slender-billed Crow</b>, and <b>Palawan Bulbul</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F5ubaovoDM56H_A6n4pQkRtMdTvpvid9itzHcub8vga5RuN8KKO2at2PREM1h8CmiN0LFPclHPi7f_-BTAtz22RRiVy2JdFPcDJM838qF05xORL1c_CYayTKtCu6Hb36hxUoWF7Xwt9h/s1600/Hair+crested+Drongo01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F5ubaovoDM56H_A6n4pQkRtMdTvpvid9itzHcub8vga5RuN8KKO2at2PREM1h8CmiN0LFPclHPi7f_-BTAtz22RRiVy2JdFPcDJM838qF05xORL1c_CYayTKtCu6Hb36hxUoWF7Xwt9h/s400/Hair+crested+Drongo01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hair-crested Drongo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JkdppAuDVYe1nIhnTO6Z676FpqkOXEOxrjihIzFB0HKOnuhRLe40MC0sDDdus_dVqkbQIVI2kstemgpzCG_EliqUZSkVHD_UM4RDeGuTzG98FyF7yp4sANsD9aLIO49tt1pJ6HYDrWPF/s1600/Palawan+Tit02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JkdppAuDVYe1nIhnTO6Z676FpqkOXEOxrjihIzFB0HKOnuhRLe40MC0sDDdus_dVqkbQIVI2kstemgpzCG_EliqUZSkVHD_UM4RDeGuTzG98FyF7yp4sANsD9aLIO49tt1pJ6HYDrWPF/s400/Palawan+Tit02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palawan Tit</td></tr>
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Along the trail, the Palawan Tit put on a show while a peculiar tail-less <b>Chestnut-breasted Malkoha </b>made a brief appearance. More and more birders congregated at Atremaru and the birds continued to show. We were waiting for more birds to show when Sir Ramon and Cris told us that the <b>Ashy-headed Babbler </b>was showing quite well at the end of the trail. We headed there and true enough, a pair was skulking in the undergrowth. They flitted in and out of view in the shadows, not allowing us any good photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uCx8FfP4qLjb06q41_lhF5-Mk1pr-MZWPnqtiQJarx-cX00gHBIzHo1JqpTTDgB3AMXBEhqwIzzk-ReoCcEQQ4ILRKQChh51oQxYMLPiAenCzQ52UWAw6hmnAs-cZ_vDXSiwWEqZXKZz/s1600/Birders15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uCx8FfP4qLjb06q41_lhF5-Mk1pr-MZWPnqtiQJarx-cX00gHBIzHo1JqpTTDgB3AMXBEhqwIzzk-ReoCcEQQ4ILRKQChh51oQxYMLPiAenCzQ52UWAw6hmnAs-cZ_vDXSiwWEqZXKZz/s400/Birders15.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birders in Atremaru. Their walkways afford great eye-level <br />
views of birds flitting among the trees</td></tr>
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We decided to move to another area and headed to the Magarwak Ecopark. We checked out the hides for the Palawan Flycatcher and the Blue-eared Kingfisher, but it was too late in the day and the birds did not show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4LjRKfr6a7VBs1gjyqdBCR7Zz0fTDDdUj83rVTXwsxnMhNnK3tiZ3-W3j_dzO2CwYOc-WokfZ5COSfK2rwP5FuuWMI5s0Y9MJNUeQzr8CTQoYe3OdnI6iHaxgL51PpMMmS577j2wT667/s1600/Birders12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4LjRKfr6a7VBs1gjyqdBCR7Zz0fTDDdUj83rVTXwsxnMhNnK3tiZ3-W3j_dzO2CwYOc-WokfZ5COSfK2rwP5FuuWMI5s0Y9MJNUeQzr8CTQoYe3OdnI6iHaxgL51PpMMmS577j2wT667/s400/Birders12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We boarded our van and headed to Viet Ville for a late pho lunch. After wiping out our meal, we headed back to Badjao Seafront Restaurant and try our luck with the owls. A group of international delegates to the race were already there and after a few minutes of waiting, the owls made their appearance. The light was already dwindling and the <b>Spotted Wood Owls</b> perched on the high trees, staying at the back while checking out the group of humans taking their photos. The owls soon flew off unseen and we headed back to our hotel for the Welcome Dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQec6WhWylaB0YCiRGyvz4UF7Pk8UOTKO82aYZZLc9Vu3im1C2ZjaZjF0X2iKWNYnhyphenhyphenAbEuj9yguF3juuDHAXeJBLPj40E7KsP3sOHwmXNfC40gIM9WKkTx97oRe3ZyxLqGF0tnSaGR6ji/s1600/Spotted+Wood+Owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQec6WhWylaB0YCiRGyvz4UF7Pk8UOTKO82aYZZLc9Vu3im1C2ZjaZjF0X2iKWNYnhyphenhyphenAbEuj9yguF3juuDHAXeJBLPj40E7KsP3sOHwmXNfC40gIM9WKkTx97oRe3ZyxLqGF0tnSaGR6ji/s400/Spotted+Wood+Owl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally! Good views (but horrible photos!) of the Spotted Wood Owl!</td></tr>
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The following two days were a blur! And my team wasn't really in competitive-mode for the race! I can only imagine the other teams rushing around Puerto Princesa, seeing and photographing as many birds as the can. Djop and I were on separate teams, and I went with Sir Alain, Sir Roy, and Ka Leny.</div>
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We went to a number of sites the next two days: back to Magarwak for the Palawan Flycatcher (success!) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEeTEUr0o76wYw7qBsl7NFnC6tLkN_J8BgHAH0VwY_lt2A0_Q7lr7Y4UHg0__JCwVDeaUeI66ztNf2PIZYSJJxFwvorIHZj8d0kfl4EBihtTeMycZ7A7DdX5cVK6pehkSSNVfnCE-JJlv/s1600/Birders+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEeTEUr0o76wYw7qBsl7NFnC6tLkN_J8BgHAH0VwY_lt2A0_Q7lr7Y4UHg0__JCwVDeaUeI66ztNf2PIZYSJJxFwvorIHZj8d0kfl4EBihtTeMycZ7A7DdX5cVK6pehkSSNVfnCE-JJlv/s400/Birders+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the hide</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palawan Flycatcher</td></tr>
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We went back to Atremaru and enjoyed our non-competitive pace and ordered some coffee and eggs while waiting for the birds. We were rewarded by a brief but exciting visit from a <span style="color: orange;">Red-headed Flameback</span>, plus some <span style="color: orange;">Fiery Minivets</span>, a <span style="color: orange;">Hill Myna</span>, and a <span style="color: orange;">Black-chinned Fruit Dove</span>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having coffee and omelet while waiting for birds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc47S6wEd11gGsjqjsA52Rj-mdosQ8MZPs6pd4Qht0qnzxMjM240CPtTGaOhiF9OleSb5m2Q1SRPC7FDJFkrUbCJ5PWlUSvttcouBAGm4zvg-Hqyp2yMDqw3ewiTmjr9ft7LAyhJXsW3Ae/s1600/IMG_6907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc47S6wEd11gGsjqjsA52Rj-mdosQ8MZPs6pd4Qht0qnzxMjM240CPtTGaOhiF9OleSb5m2Q1SRPC7FDJFkrUbCJ5PWlUSvttcouBAGm4zvg-Hqyp2yMDqw3ewiTmjr9ft7LAyhJXsW3Ae/s400/IMG_6907.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the Minivet having a meal ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38zCWErW4eZ2aGKs_CHEJNqZRws7F7erOLe13GSGMS-mykyyOLbHSVTbCjYKtck9TfKLAVHEzpFU_2mITIbrTdX5BOhgAl62OGzz7gCnvNF6EZgJTA_9gW9mFMQ6GB3DECT8K5LjZbNt5/s1600/IMG_6911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38zCWErW4eZ2aGKs_CHEJNqZRws7F7erOLe13GSGMS-mykyyOLbHSVTbCjYKtck9TfKLAVHEzpFU_2mITIbrTdX5BOhgAl62OGzz7gCnvNF6EZgJTA_9gW9mFMQ6GB3DECT8K5LjZbNt5/s400/IMG_6911.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill Myna, Sir Roy's lifer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then proceeded to the nearby view deck and spotted a thermalling<span style="color: orange;"> Crested Serpent Eagle</span>. We stopped by a beach area along the road but only saw a lone <span style="color: orange;">Common Sandpiper</span> and a solitary <span style="color: orange;">Common Kingfisher</span>. The view was great though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHW_5H8QiTY8aVsEDaEjLXPXeagbZrs4cnqSmeF5hajYeNEKymgkfmjg5YTD5hDFjFhvd9E7ouyQIUN_PIJFeCLz0Ncufu5Hk51Sf6D1OsVFi3lYAKck2EYxITsYm4631AMk7Y9rZT-KH/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHW_5H8QiTY8aVsEDaEjLXPXeagbZrs4cnqSmeF5hajYeNEKymgkfmjg5YTD5hDFjFhvd9E7ouyQIUN_PIJFeCLz0Ncufu5Hk51Sf6D1OsVFi3lYAKck2EYxITsYm4631AMk7Y9rZT-KH/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We headed back towards the city proper but stopped for lunch first at Pho Saigon. After another great Vietnamese lunch, we proceeded to the Crocodile Farm. Alas, the park was void of birds except for one juvenile night-heron. When no birds showed, we left and went to Irawan Ecopark where we hoped we would find the Melodious Babbler. Two of them approached us but stayed in the shadows, chasing each other but refusing to come out. We drove deeper into the park and stopped at the hides. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMQiRwgXwxbd_JWNUbX59sh8MltcCmzC4n0MymAiqE_tQvMEZpEp4SoiG8fJWt2ODyJGKFRBfCtwOayq70UBRGXv-HSWTRmDzJonlPmooAxJVxChpoaUy4uH6nv-EGTGC12mbtKzwE3MI/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMQiRwgXwxbd_JWNUbX59sh8MltcCmzC4n0MymAiqE_tQvMEZpEp4SoiG8fJWt2ODyJGKFRBfCtwOayq70UBRGXv-HSWTRmDzJonlPmooAxJVxChpoaUy4uH6nv-EGTGC12mbtKzwE3MI/s400/IMG_1626.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage at Irawan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After checking out the Palawan Flycatcher, we made our way to catch the cockatoos and hopefully spot the frigatebirds that made an appearance the previous day. We positioned ourselves by the mudflats and after a short wait, heard the noisy flock of <span style="color: orange;">Philippine Cockatoos</span>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdzLOB98-chNbJqFV49hyphenhyphen-1mS4nz6wr95mccanIyNsNWjVAqygqa8GyRdiYioeGrZETidb1ybKgppHVkvZFUG-_huwjqyAuq7h1XCBp3IVLRs4flpQzYA-0ZSDfjIApL7xeJIBDpSdDFS/s1600/Katala02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdzLOB98-chNbJqFV49hyphenhyphen-1mS4nz6wr95mccanIyNsNWjVAqygqa8GyRdiYioeGrZETidb1ybKgppHVkvZFUG-_huwjqyAuq7h1XCBp3IVLRs4flpQzYA-0ZSDfjIApL7xeJIBDpSdDFS/s400/Katala02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lifer! Finally!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3_uO25bUC204jRFjFVr63lDrBiQCFKKKf7_qaMAjjlh4XVCaJTpFjWA6Za9JEt480WnTZEoGOZaPEsQVBPISLGywbWcNrCCvIF9EKJvFDQHGewONAjOVacJ5J0TzkkmCbPxkdko6H_EQ/s1600/Katala05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3_uO25bUC204jRFjFVr63lDrBiQCFKKKf7_qaMAjjlh4XVCaJTpFjWA6Za9JEt480WnTZEoGOZaPEsQVBPISLGywbWcNrCCvIF9EKJvFDQHGewONAjOVacJ5J0TzkkmCbPxkdko6H_EQ/s400/Katala05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the flock soon followed to the tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
The following day we went to zigzag road and there got the <span style="color: orange;">Melodious Babbler</span>! The bird sang and teased us with quick in-you-face views before flying off hidden again. A <span style="color: orange;">Spot-throated Flameback </span>also showed on a high tree as well as a handsome <span style="color: orange;">Blue Paradise Flycatcher</span>. (<i>Thank you, Capt. Floyd and Atty. Carlo for the correction on the flameback ID </i>=) )</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIwjs7pxDile7PBeJbjl8baOUKg7IJBpL0C1E5Aq2SxA9uuaCorsP6bsoBorfWvuEEB73GE1rcdzkltkth695k9ED8gGS3ksiehpTY0Dsg6_6TWYUw7M0Usk9_P5sNVMTWLkwfcJimUYR/s1600/Melodious+Babbler01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIwjs7pxDile7PBeJbjl8baOUKg7IJBpL0C1E5Aq2SxA9uuaCorsP6bsoBorfWvuEEB73GE1rcdzkltkth695k9ED8gGS3ksiehpTY0Dsg6_6TWYUw7M0Usk9_P5sNVMTWLkwfcJimUYR/s400/Melodious+Babbler01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melodious Babbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXDgfLwSTAJ2GswFXjjBAj0v_9gCEu-KVHigxrr5Q8T9Jp05NdDv0MFAkkw5mUStvyGp-iagyQctrBVeDhtEe9aYNDGQd05btW5jQdCxHmBEuyARjnW6H48TZTipibY-wNicrp3nbWxrf/s1600/Blue+Paradise+FC02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXDgfLwSTAJ2GswFXjjBAj0v_9gCEu-KVHigxrr5Q8T9Jp05NdDv0MFAkkw5mUStvyGp-iagyQctrBVeDhtEe9aYNDGQd05btW5jQdCxHmBEuyARjnW6H48TZTipibY-wNicrp3nbWxrf/s400/Blue+Paradise+FC02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Paradise Flycatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-1VQ67xtP2GQWSb6eflz-QPEa9KeVXy-cxK5Muh02VGkDMXR6JOweYbRO9rm_AsGVnjnNTC91qgtTp8Jvvz5A8m5VuSoCjdQY6ZgzJEpqzBa3Q2O2yw69KaF1YGIdGDGGC7KQ6Nm0LTb/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-1VQ67xtP2GQWSb6eflz-QPEa9KeVXy-cxK5Muh02VGkDMXR6JOweYbRO9rm_AsGVnjnNTC91qgtTp8Jvvz5A8m5VuSoCjdQY6ZgzJEpqzBa3Q2O2yw69KaF1YGIdGDGGC7KQ6Nm0LTb/s400/IMG_7012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot-throated Flameback</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
We tried our luck with the Falcated Wren Babbler but no matter how close it was calling, almost to our faces, the bird did not show. A quick trip to Iwahig didn't give us any birds so we drove back to the hotel. I was happy to have some time for a quick afternoon dip in the pool before the closing dinner and the awarding ceremonies.<br />
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It was quite a different experience shared with friends and was able to make new ones as well. I rediscovered that I am not a competitive person, but I do admire those that engage in healthy competition. There are different ways we experience birds and nature and I am grateful to be given a chance to experience this bird race.<br />
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Thanks again to our sponsors MISLATEL and Netpoleon Philippines! Thank you, Sir Roy and Sir Alain! And congratulations to all the winners and participants. Birding in Palawan, race or no race, is reason enough to feel like a winner! =)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnF7zkOTxewInbpK0BjpwuaWxLIdgSeRIKjR3z2WXzz3gp2Se15WfRdA_P4O6kobSIXYgSyidZOxxN8cnkiOPyUwnPKlyecNPaegjTvPwafJx67S6qTe922zDH_sTzyOzA5FX9uFyOxNNZ/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnF7zkOTxewInbpK0BjpwuaWxLIdgSeRIKjR3z2WXzz3gp2Se15WfRdA_P4O6kobSIXYgSyidZOxxN8cnkiOPyUwnPKlyecNPaegjTvPwafJx67S6qTe922zDH_sTzyOzA5FX9uFyOxNNZ/s320/IMG_1656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you again soon, Palawan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-88441070472570671862018-10-29T14:18:00.002+08:002018-10-29T18:33:10.954+08:00A Lesson from Masipag the Succulent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of months ago, a rat attacked our balcony garden of succulents. It may have been more than one rat but with the damage it did to some of our plants, we think it was just one rodent sneaking in at night to nibble on our juicy plants.<br />
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We are slowly filling up our balcony with a growing number cacti and succulents and we've named most of them. Others we have pet names like "Sadness" for the droopy one and "Pechay" for the one that looks like, well, a pechay.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADwyMemRqo6IwxM0Qj0sddhWUJkj9_x7r8vBkbF2iHUjPPjD2cia91D6rDAF4V2xRkm5xmV55PAo-AOhSAFyyO6Dw9mgrjnKDKnDGCuOYV747z_tEgcMUQgF5elYLKkh4mJm7lmT3W6QS/s1600/33475111_10156264161054034_997030705911300096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADwyMemRqo6IwxM0Qj0sddhWUJkj9_x7r8vBkbF2iHUjPPjD2cia91D6rDAF4V2xRkm5xmV55PAo-AOhSAFyyO6Dw9mgrjnKDKnDGCuOYV747z_tEgcMUQgF5elYLKkh4mJm7lmT3W6QS/s320/33475111_10156264161054034_997030705911300096_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pechay"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We also have a Frailea grahliana which we call "Masipag" (industrious) because it continuously produced seed pods, its seeds we have successfully sown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLksZUG8n8HrAZWzaifWsy655vGu7QnUX3WrvLhAevGHrbsPnkClpobdBsxlIB0VNgNvElyE1G4MW2KU79OkvO7Ewb2Rqgk7TmSxKy30R6f1caQDzxzHFa4YmVFS4Vepr0GoXNQn-hgvz2/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLksZUG8n8HrAZWzaifWsy655vGu7QnUX3WrvLhAevGHrbsPnkClpobdBsxlIB0VNgNvElyE1G4MW2KU79OkvO7Ewb2Rqgk7TmSxKy30R6f1caQDzxzHFa4YmVFS4Vepr0GoXNQn-hgvz2/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a blurry photo of Masipag <br />
sporting a budding seed pod in the middle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Sadly, that horrid rat attacked Masipag, stole its seed pod, and gnawed at it, leaving a nasty crater at its center. Djop and I were very sad (and infuriated!) when we saw what happened to one of our favorite succulents...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdU86hbv5z-SvsGNwV5SUhtpeFFguXTy7v1QZ2WX_ZZWTlxtscMZLYNd34LTSryGYm0WfxR1dn-i-4fUuTU_Wyb6DqcEMZWW_auffyuAbge9ltm81bvrCVMVEKiTFA-m0BDimQ4sQ3VtH/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdU86hbv5z-SvsGNwV5SUhtpeFFguXTy7v1QZ2WX_ZZWTlxtscMZLYNd34LTSryGYm0WfxR1dn-i-4fUuTU_Wyb6DqcEMZWW_auffyuAbge9ltm81bvrCVMVEKiTFA-m0BDimQ4sQ3VtH/s320/IMG_0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rat took a large chunk out of Masipag...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIScP-8BPKgefvtEvS32vFHU7ib8cQ6coRhjOfvicGlqB9YZPruAzXJI-Be6S7UUwb74QrREElIOtgC6nYqMwG_-Rz29_6K4-kxjELM_GJ961ybmQFVwa2R4TLivSYclHCJpWYH_FIuYd/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIScP-8BPKgefvtEvS32vFHU7ib8cQ6coRhjOfvicGlqB9YZPruAzXJI-Be6S7UUwb74QrREElIOtgC6nYqMwG_-Rz29_6K4-kxjELM_GJ961ybmQFVwa2R4TLivSYclHCJpWYH_FIuYd/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It also took bites out of our first Astrophytum asteria...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rat also "tasted"our other plants, even the spiny cacti but those damages were nothing compared to Masipag's. Those cactus spines really work!<br />
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So we took some steps to prevent and deter any future rat attacks on our plants, including placing a mosquito net over our plant shelf every evening.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSN6MSWrkYhI15fNodTUxcsoIDELdwYB1sjsTje-cm8VJS_b9FMRR5YAkCm8PTq9nIHINljeLUCaiM8uBnhmMmWVNuixdcX_7H0CEyIdCDNo6gxvu2XQHNuWAUakvkPdEztET8iUxj8gj/s1600/exif_temp_image+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSN6MSWrkYhI15fNodTUxcsoIDELdwYB1sjsTje-cm8VJS_b9FMRR5YAkCm8PTq9nIHINljeLUCaiM8uBnhmMmWVNuixdcX_7H0CEyIdCDNo6gxvu2XQHNuWAUakvkPdEztET8iUxj8gj/s320/exif_temp_image+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbFeD5CLJR6C0iEY5aorN1ami85DTzgrSYrUOqqaS-9JJuLV-tGVk6Ng1obNp9wfm0yH856qbrk_mrFsSYCKUk-CDT5KeRAqu5jWr39rG6YkAur_fhT0netOtMK_tvlcCe7lehFAanJyM/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbFeD5CLJR6C0iEY5aorN1ami85DTzgrSYrUOqqaS-9JJuLV-tGVk6Ng1obNp9wfm0yH856qbrk_mrFsSYCKUk-CDT5KeRAqu5jWr39rG6YkAur_fhT0netOtMK_tvlcCe7lehFAanJyM/s320/IMG_0352.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night time</td></tr>
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Eventually, after a couple more unwanted visits from the rat (as evidenced by pee, scattered pebbles, and some damaged leaves here and there), the attacks finally stopped. </div>
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We left Masipag and the asteria alone and hoped they would callous and recover from their damage. We weren't so hopeful though... their "wounds" have already dried up but Masipag stopped producing seed pods. </div>
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But it turns out that Masipag was a fighter. After some time, from the fringes of the damage the rat caused, small buds started to grow. Here is Masipag now...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoB_p0Iww0smdLgca15UDQq_ldyjAKVYRdvIinAj2k-b08b02WLoEcU12Y0YzkCqC7lagpkcme7T1UwqIashyphenhyphenmy7-PEWTQEUnwJlO6SM-lw102UUmVEeL1xqtLgEYDq5qAG2CHCVe-DVxv/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoB_p0Iww0smdLgca15UDQq_ldyjAKVYRdvIinAj2k-b08b02WLoEcU12Y0YzkCqC7lagpkcme7T1UwqIashyphenhyphenmy7-PEWTQEUnwJlO6SM-lw102UUmVEeL1xqtLgEYDq5qAG2CHCVe-DVxv/s320/IMG_1435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many buds can you count? We count 4!!!</td></tr>
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So now, everyday when I check our plants, I smile when I pick up Masipag and inspect the fast-growing baby fraileas flourishing from its wound. I guess this experience has reminded me of that famous quote from Rumi: "<i>The wound is the place where the light enters you.</i>" In Masipag's case, the wound was where new life began.<br />
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At this point in time, it is a lesson much appreciated. We face many bad and problematic situations, but in those negative events, good things, even better things, can emerge and grow.</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-23774143499470345672018-07-16T12:20:00.000+08:002018-07-17T08:28:10.013+08:00Succulents Save the Day!I haven't been out birding in quite a while. Hectic work schedules have taken away most weekends and on the only free weekends I have, I either use to rest or am confined indoors because of the rainy weather. I am saved from frustration by my newfound passion in succulents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3M8pZBLr9N-pbbBS-j_AfIwcyzHD7Fw-0He9TWs9BmJYJTOdl6IsYTM-0h2SzU0np3EknSUHS1JiiXwDuWlXrqIl7jTf4oR8oQf9TLzFXBsBV4S3K5P2yvBYin0TyjCWqfZd4Sp6-Po2/s1600/37200296_10212097763823832_3362447737608994816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3M8pZBLr9N-pbbBS-j_AfIwcyzHD7Fw-0He9TWs9BmJYJTOdl6IsYTM-0h2SzU0np3EknSUHS1JiiXwDuWlXrqIl7jTf4oR8oQf9TLzFXBsBV4S3K5P2yvBYin0TyjCWqfZd4Sp6-Po2/s400/37200296_10212097763823832_3362447737608994816_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I have always been surrounded by plants having parents who love gardening. No matter how small the allotted space in our home, our family always had plants. I've always wanted to be like them with the aptitude and the "green thumb" for making a variety of plants thrive under their care. Growing up, they always supported my efforts but, sadly, I've always failed. I tried vegetable gardening and was rewarded with a tray full of weeds. I also studied the art of bonsai but ended up killing the poor plants! I've bought sunflower growing kits but was never successful in growing them and seeing them flower.<br />
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It is only now that, with Djop, I tried my hand at succulents and cacti. And, finally, I have found my inner green thumb!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRZSWEJb2YueJan1iwtNJLi6yZ097EoCwUyTcAnigsN8dZnt4ZtPM11QS9-1IrxAEHoVRAjl2S9jiw3TRcXSQDWkfD1ehEFG1oArcmowS9L9lqtBsHuG_yKWYiwhkQq8lyQKJp6D-68AK/s1600/exif_temp_image+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRZSWEJb2YueJan1iwtNJLi6yZ097EoCwUyTcAnigsN8dZnt4ZtPM11QS9-1IrxAEHoVRAjl2S9jiw3TRcXSQDWkfD1ehEFG1oArcmowS9L9lqtBsHuG_yKWYiwhkQq8lyQKJp6D-68AK/s320/exif_temp_image+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We got our first batch of succulents during a plant show in February and started with 4 plants. My brother Mark added to my collection and got me an additional 2 more plants! I researched and read about the proper care for the plants and got to work. Experience is really the best teacher... most of those plants died under my inexperienced care but, with the encouragement of Djop, my family, and friends who are also into succulents, I got a new batch and this time, took extra care and learned to respond to the plants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB8lRfnZV_Bpahjt0yUT99jLB9KwH1OsgdEzZYyM44gjpHYG5O4wNidjCwuup-0kXuYYZPvLacmgMscVR38Nb2xnmkZiRNcB9Z6fS5Z8yjdg8KuiDPP5IETmX8k2fmd1E7mVJ15Z99FyO/s1600/exif_temp_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB8lRfnZV_Bpahjt0yUT99jLB9KwH1OsgdEzZYyM44gjpHYG5O4wNidjCwuup-0kXuYYZPvLacmgMscVR38Nb2xnmkZiRNcB9Z6fS5Z8yjdg8KuiDPP5IETmX8k2fmd1E7mVJ15Z99FyO/s400/exif_temp_image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First batch of succulents which I named (but regretted since most of them died...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AMjW1Z95VhEM68zycolCv_ve1VGZrYk8Lwt_85NIqlLb_ALxoOLouHS-31kbLKbCeJ-LYzHkVgCmKXqr8XsAwV4C15_Fny47BNQEMsxiIB-TQWwEZ7pgDvkyp34RJUldD806raVz5YPH/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AMjW1Z95VhEM68zycolCv_ve1VGZrYk8Lwt_85NIqlLb_ALxoOLouHS-31kbLKbCeJ-LYzHkVgCmKXqr8XsAwV4C15_Fny47BNQEMsxiIB-TQWwEZ7pgDvkyp34RJUldD806raVz5YPH/s400/IMG_5755.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gifts from my enabler brother =P</td></tr>
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Now, 5 months after we got our first plants, Djop and I have a mostly-thriving collection of succulents and cacti! Most plants we buy in the plant area adjacent to Farmer's Market in Cubao (I included a map at the end of this post for reference), some are generously given by family members, and others are cuttings given by friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppggAtk9uN3O-BtVGD6p_XbG09S2ntCCb5cgnFYvOnHZvuEFPgF0I8Wcjzrq4lEK5k2SDM74JQO1CI9uwBRVGXyioyFKEsWhvlvVnJxs65eh4ywEs18ZOGFm0Ur457tq9zdtgP3p9l6yt/s1600/exif_temp_image+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppggAtk9uN3O-BtVGD6p_XbG09S2ntCCb5cgnFYvOnHZvuEFPgF0I8Wcjzrq4lEK5k2SDM74JQO1CI9uwBRVGXyioyFKEsWhvlvVnJxs65eh4ywEs18ZOGFm0Ur457tq9zdtgP3p9l6yt/s400/exif_temp_image+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another batch bought at another plant show in the Quezon Memorial Circle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmtYyij035KLqCL5wvVpWzDmr7FTntrewlr9LMM_-3lNDKOuUC83tzyMjwjsiccd8V3lX2Rflv_JefB2nTKTzSGKLMxTlxa1BQAZHyMP_A3JyP_IwQbotWTOMhrVbXaXNKQGixVmbBAuD/s1600/exif_temp_image+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmtYyij035KLqCL5wvVpWzDmr7FTntrewlr9LMM_-3lNDKOuUC83tzyMjwjsiccd8V3lX2Rflv_JefB2nTKTzSGKLMxTlxa1BQAZHyMP_A3JyP_IwQbotWTOMhrVbXaXNKQGixVmbBAuD/s400/exif_temp_image+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We learned how to use pumice in our potting mix<br />
and also how to do leaf propagation</td></tr>
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Recently, we've spent a lot of our free time and weekends working on our small balcony garden. We've still had some casualties here and there and putting them on the list of "To Buy Again Soon."<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JODxbJb2O5o/W0wOerBKNwI/AAAAAAAAOQ0/BpL_gPQ9TjwpoNe7kJa9JGhTkUFcqoTQgCLcBGAs/s1600/exif_temp_image%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JODxbJb2O5o/W0wOerBKNwI/AAAAAAAAOQ0/BpL_gPQ9TjwpoNe7kJa9JGhTkUFcqoTQgCLcBGAs/s400/exif_temp_image%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We've also had some pretty exciting milestones with our plants! Our frailea's are very generous in producing seed pods and some of our plants have gifted us with their pretty flowers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH3aNEJ8aNOl73aTPlips-CxLLOzXgGpeWZRZD2DLuGO8lyuiFh4fF0gB0-o9trPfpOrIoL9J8CNtpPVArSWSCDEKigeAZ5kZNTp__wvKuUsoPvui4_NC3POm2LZZUCfD0KJPWC5qaMSt/s1600/31958614_10156215871669034_926395574977036288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH3aNEJ8aNOl73aTPlips-CxLLOzXgGpeWZRZD2DLuGO8lyuiFh4fF0gB0-o9trPfpOrIoL9J8CNtpPVArSWSCDEKigeAZ5kZNTp__wvKuUsoPvui4_NC3POm2LZZUCfD0KJPWC5qaMSt/s400/31958614_10156215871669034_926395574977036288_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our aptenia continues to bloom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zhgdrCShXy1nYSsprQb1yRu2Zf4xewwxUxae_6CQ1hOIB9C7LP1auv15FO6ybycDreUp4ccln1dDnq1_CBzvIOIrIzDtmudVYZgi4oCRy51WmINgxjO8_59UkOsaA5xwuNIeyXoAYXxu/s1600/33674521_10211781545318567_1881431112870264832_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zhgdrCShXy1nYSsprQb1yRu2Zf4xewwxUxae_6CQ1hOIB9C7LP1auv15FO6ybycDreUp4ccln1dDnq1_CBzvIOIrIzDtmudVYZgi4oCRy51WmINgxjO8_59UkOsaA5xwuNIeyXoAYXxu/s400/33674521_10211781545318567_1881431112870264832_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, mom, for our gymnocalycium!!!</td></tr>
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We've just sowed our frailea seedlings after harvesting from the seed pod and we're hoping for the best! The first batch that Djop sowed have already sprouted!!!</div>
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So, since I do not have any time and energy for birding, and because I am saddened and getting depressed and anxious because of it... our succulents save the day (and my sanity!)</div>
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<i>To those wanting to check out the shops in Farmer's, here's a map to the Farmer's Garden area with walking directions from the MRT Araneta Cubao station. I included other landmarks such as the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the LRT2 Araneta Center Cubao Station so you can orient yourself:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2FlCRSE6Jbd-sORi7Qp0dOTXlgqg7eLvHofAyqIIDGHPX24o_IMD7R2rzpq1sPVFJWXebg_DVirRPHaJPTPzulLCQbC4byw_Su0o8AEiuPC3HLRzN1jqhJqwdpd-WgCX3CdGbaCXyXhD/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="956" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2FlCRSE6Jbd-sORi7Qp0dOTXlgqg7eLvHofAyqIIDGHPX24o_IMD7R2rzpq1sPVFJWXebg_DVirRPHaJPTPzulLCQbC4byw_Su0o8AEiuPC3HLRzN1jqhJqwdpd-WgCX3CdGbaCXyXhD/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-46006941215226318582018-03-31T09:24:00.001+08:002018-03-31T09:32:36.617+08:00More Lifers from Infanta!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had been itching to bird for quite some time now, but admittedly was feeling too tired (and yes, too lazy) to go out. The burnt out teacher in me always won, and with Djop out on field for the next few weeks, I simply stayed at home. But my lucky birding stars wouldn't allow that so when I got an invitation from Sir Chin on Sunday to go birding in Infanta, Quezon on Wednesday, I said yes!<br />
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After some coordination, we were on the road to Infanta at 4AM on Wednesday and headed to the Marilaque (short for Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon) Highway, also referred to as the Infanta Road. We met up with fellow birders Homer and Brian who were already parked and scanning for birds.<br />
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<img alt="Infanta-Mar28-02" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4596" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/infanta-mar28-02.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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We stood by the roadside, in front of a big <em>hagimit</em> tree. It was my first time to really become aware of this tree and I really did not know much about it except that birds flocked to feed on its fruits.<br />
The <em>hagimit</em> we were looking at had huge branches where remnants of fruits could be seen. Were we too late? Had all the fruits been eaten up?! We were entertained by some <span style="color: #ff6600;">Tawny Grassbirds</span> and a few <span style="color: #ff6600;">Philippine Bulbuls</span> but no others birds showed up. It was quite early though, so we decided to move along the highway and search for a more birdier site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/phil-bulbul-infanta-mar28-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Phil Bulbul-Infanta-Mar28-01" border="0" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4597" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/phil-bulbul-infanta-mar28-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippine Bulbul</td></tr>
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We discovered a lot of <em>hagimit</em> trees in different stages of fruiting. Some had riper fruits, while others had lots of brown, unripe fruits which had huge potential to be the birds' feeding ground in the next days. I learned later that those fruit-laden branches are called tubercles and that the <em>hagimit</em> is a close relative of another fig, the <em>tibig</em>, and they both indicate the presence of fresh water nearby.<br />
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We decided to head back to our original location and were happy to see more friends in the area. We also learned that behind the huge hagimit was a smaller one with still-ripe fruits! We joined <strong>George & Manette</strong>, <strong>Sir Wins</strong>, <strong>Sir Ed</strong>, <strong>Sir Conrad</strong>, and new friend <strong>Sir Rod</strong> in the small clearing and waited for the birds to show. <strong>Sir Fidel</strong> joined us after a short while.<br />
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A handsome <span style="color: #ff9900;">Guaiabero</span> was very evidently enjoying its breakfast of <em>hagimit</em> figs as we settled into our positions, its bright green plumage both blending and standing out (does that make sense?)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Guaiabero-Infanta-Mar28-01" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4593" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/guaiabero-infanta-mar28-01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he handsome Guaiabero feeding on the <em style="background-color: #f7f7f7; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #878787; font-family: "Noto Serif", Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hagimit</em><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #878787; font-family: "noto serif" , "georgia" , "times" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;"> fruits</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A few flowerpeckers were also feeding on the fruits in front of us. <span style="color: #ff9900;">Pygmy Flowerpeckers</span>, <span style="color: #ff9900;">Bicolored Flowerpeckers</span>, and <span style="color: #ff9900;">Buzzing Flowerpeckers</span> came and went while we had occasional views of <span style="color: #ff9900;">Olive-backed Flowerpecker</span>, which was almost immediately chased away by the others.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bicolored-Infanta-Mar28-01" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4591" height="299" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/bicolored-infanta-mar28-01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicolored Flowerpecker, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Flowerpecker-Infanta-Mar28-02" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4592" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/flowerpecker-infanta-mar28-02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicolored Flowerpecker, female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Olive backed FP-Infanta-Mar28-01" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4594" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/olive-backed-fp-infanta-mar28-01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the Olive-backed Flowerpecker?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Suddenly a much bigger bird landed on the clump of fruits! My heart skipped a beat when I saw what it was: <span style="color: #ff6600;">Amethyst Brown-Dove</span>! Lifer! I've been wanting to see this bird since I started birding and as I approach my 8th birding birthday in April, I finally see it! It crawled near the Guaiabero, and started feeding on the fruits.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Amethyst BD-Infanta-Mar28-03" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4598" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/amethyst-bd-infanta-mar28-03.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Amethyst BD-Infanta-Mar28-04" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4599" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/amethyst-bd-infanta-mar28-04.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It stayed quite a while, eating beside the Guaiabero while flowerpeckers flitted in and out of the branches. Finally, it had its fill of fruits and it flew to a higher perch deeper into the trees where it rested for a few minutes, bathing in the morning sun.<br />
<br />
We were waiting for the Philippine Fairy Bluebird to show, and it did! But only for a couple of seconds before it flew off again. It would call loudly from the surrounding trees but did not show.<br />
The Olive-backed Flowerpecker made a few more appearances but always very quick and mostly on the branches above us. I managed a few shots of this very skittish bird!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Olive backed FP-Infanta-Mar28-02" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4600" height="300" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/olive-backed-fp-infanta-mar28-02.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Amethyst Brown-Dove also made a repeat appearance, this time coming out into the open to feed. It was such a pretty bird to observe, it's colors very muted and pastel!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Amethyst BD-Infanta-Mar28-02" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4595" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/amethyst-bd-infanta-mar28-02.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
It was nearing lunch time when the dove finally flew off again and we also decided to head towards the small chapel and have a lunch break as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6261" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4601" height="400" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/img_6261.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The altar of the small chapel</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After lunch, it was back on the road and in search of more birds. We stopped at another fruiting <em>hagimit</em> tree (there were so many along the road now that I was aware of what they looked like!) Aside from the usual flowerpeckers, there were no other birds, so we decided to just go back to our original site. We were boarding our cars when Sir Conrad approached us and showed us a photo he just took of a dove! Possibly a Cream-bellied Fruit-Dove! He was shown the bird by a friendly local, Francis. We all quickly moved to the area Francis was pointing to and he showed us the bird. It turned out to be a <span style="color: #ff6600;">Yellow-breasted Fruit-dove</span>, my second lifer of the trip! We had to squat, kneel, crouch to get clearer views of the bird, but it stayed partially hidden behind branches and leaves.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Yellow breasted-Infanta-Mar28-04" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4602" height="266" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/yellow-breasted-infanta-mar28-04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn’t get any clear and out-in-the-open photos, <br />
but I was happy already seeing the bird!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPDxiwOYy3Oi0OdTX9RAHfUDSWKMXJETowrXFYRRApxEaKR2FLPEHUmXj17D4_Y_cjgUYUsBCsdmerdOJwHXjMpE59EAzxDN4qt2VtKMhYb-d0AfObqGQmpiLN1N6QBlDMcXp-5VpOC2w/s1600/20180328_WD51985+Yellow-breasted+Fruit+Dove+FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPDxiwOYy3Oi0OdTX9RAHfUDSWKMXJETowrXFYRRApxEaKR2FLPEHUmXj17D4_Y_cjgUYUsBCsdmerdOJwHXjMpE59EAzxDN4qt2VtKMhYb-d0AfObqGQmpiLN1N6QBlDMcXp-5VpOC2w/s400/20180328_WD51985+Yellow-breasted+Fruit+Dove+FB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a wonderful shot of the Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove <br />taken and generously shared with me by WBPP President Win Paler =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We moved back to our original site and also checked out an area where Manette spotted a Philippine Trogon earlier that day. We didn't see it that afternoon though. We drove along and stopped by another <em>hagimit</em> tree along the road. It held a small flock of <span style="color: #ff6600;">Sulfur-billed Nuthatches</span>, <span style="color: #ff6600;">Yellowish White-eyes</span>, and even a <span style="color: #ff6600;">White-eared Brown-Dove</span>. A <span style="color: #ff6600;">Rufous-bellied Eagle</span> also thermalled above us for a few seconds before disappearing behind the mountain. It was past four by then and Sir Chin and I said our goodbyes to the rest of the group when the bird activity died down.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6247" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4603" height="300" src="https://maiabird.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/img_6247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group shot, unfortunately incomplete, before Sir Chin and I<br />
headed back to Quezon City.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It was a great day to go birding! The weather was perfect and I got two beautiful lifers, which I honestly did not expect to see. It was a day well-spent with good company, though I wish Djop had been able to join us. I guess that only means one thing: there will definitely be a next time! ;)maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-86672964859749607572018-03-21T20:44:00.000+08:002018-03-21T20:48:53.098+08:00Hello Again, Manila Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year after I last joined Arne's waterbird survey in Manila Bay, I found myself back in the Atlag fish port in Malolos, Bulacan, boarding a small motorized banca, and heading out to the bay. This was my third time to participate in Arne's survey and for this trip I was with Arne, Tinggay, and Harry.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIWEPHPZAJF_Q3lge1JIoaoUoHHmkaW6SOJD7Op2uSC-Sst2PO-ACLR9mNfjlFI66umbcLlOvmQnuPYb1N6URQ2JtAGJ0FElrwdDZuuQ10fQq0i-FleOHqStrWcgJ_a-E0vBGqSSUGQpj/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIWEPHPZAJF_Q3lge1JIoaoUoHHmkaW6SOJD7Op2uSC-Sst2PO-ACLR9mNfjlFI66umbcLlOvmQnuPYb1N6URQ2JtAGJ0FElrwdDZuuQ10fQq0i-FleOHqStrWcgJ_a-E0vBGqSSUGQpj/s400/IMG_5852.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding our banca at sunrise</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa3rICDvrDaNHKM-cIYh6kBWbtw5Vq9IKQQPFi1P50s3jkG8pHZoX6JDpHFbP6z5mAhzMHWUSkrW9AfX3eMZSFE7SjGYLdOqwLPjpi78cQbXpUFLiI71sCVTq6HZmfC728JvR5QCdG88z/s1600/IMG_6246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa3rICDvrDaNHKM-cIYh6kBWbtw5Vq9IKQQPFi1P50s3jkG8pHZoX6JDpHFbP6z5mAhzMHWUSkrW9AfX3eMZSFE7SjGYLdOqwLPjpi78cQbXpUFLiI71sCVTq6HZmfC728JvR5QCdG88z/s400/IMG_6246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arne discussing our "game plan" with our boatmen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The count officially started as we sped through the river heading out to Barangay Pamarawan. Egrets and terns were flying around us, out to get their first meal of the day, and night herons were flying overhead heading home to roost.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jDimGYJ-7lQK7yoUSw7HfnwvAvArti_8ZA9jLnCCYQTIaHLEvnxpxtMAM9VQH3KU5ab59DoyTHxlct5RV4xCPc3P_rJg314J7aflhT5vAAbAX5C-mGk6JptD0rnoRO-L7XSLunqItXPy/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jDimGYJ-7lQK7yoUSw7HfnwvAvArti_8ZA9jLnCCYQTIaHLEvnxpxtMAM9VQH3KU5ab59DoyTHxlct5RV4xCPc3P_rJg314J7aflhT5vAAbAX5C-mGk6JptD0rnoRO-L7XSLunqItXPy/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was low tide that morning so our boatmen had to navigate slowly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha97SjQZPAwDdWTgtDSqFIPzhs1QXVCC0yYPIZ2XAVz9gt1FMSfzBwv2jjaHVUKIfXcZoW5hWpzy_voMO95oUnC3RraQwlMcW_SaLZS4m79GYnEFVjXkdwUFgUM9pnKVl3Yul8NJnXgDMC/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha97SjQZPAwDdWTgtDSqFIPzhs1QXVCC0yYPIZ2XAVz9gt1FMSfzBwv2jjaHVUKIfXcZoW5hWpzy_voMO95oUnC3RraQwlMcW_SaLZS4m79GYnEFVjXkdwUFgUM9pnKVl3Yul8NJnXgDMC/s400/IMG_6261.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one point, Tinggay transferred to the smaller paddle boat and we were<br />
pushed to deeper waters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
We stopped at 8 different sites that day and some sites held quite a number of birds. There were some though that looked like a good spot to see lots of birds but sadly were empty of them. The fishing pens reliably had birds perched on the bamboo poles holding the nets together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg5lkGFfBlkewd5DrDTtUYLZmRk8DhAhgeTUG-fw3qqe-WDAJKfYjawBIAOpxp6Vk1sRyY6mMTICB1v50JQJqIlQFigwmAMTlr4dpFvp6W2kHLuoCI02RH4cvVCTScoA6uOitzpWTFHOn/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg5lkGFfBlkewd5DrDTtUYLZmRk8DhAhgeTUG-fw3qqe-WDAJKfYjawBIAOpxp6Vk1sRyY6mMTICB1v50JQJqIlQFigwmAMTlr4dpFvp6W2kHLuoCI02RH4cvVCTScoA6uOitzpWTFHOn/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AqkRGZoevMuCeuMQCNkn9lpH7I5umpgn6YX9TnnbMHoVxsB_uILOZ8Glivhc2LSjm-KTL03QqIaTdDKU7s3NWvQfUY9DRO_ouBHGDWbMCkJTSWo5Xdg8QrevK4Jvy04dEPALdAiKy8AF/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AqkRGZoevMuCeuMQCNkn9lpH7I5umpgn6YX9TnnbMHoVxsB_uILOZ8Glivhc2LSjm-KTL03QqIaTdDKU7s3NWvQfUY9DRO_ouBHGDWbMCkJTSWo5Xdg8QrevK4Jvy04dEPALdAiKy8AF/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collared Kingfisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6hVQCeeh95ZZnO1stFNhcOw0SPascMTqbkTFHbD-aEHjROKvOfvoO8-hUbUh4oBsa2hMPn1AUU7vHgTPNkR5zk1YHWe3_xH_MOCGsR3UDM9WkUJWTxVTOjM96MwvM1RXQ27D3m8CE-lR/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6hVQCeeh95ZZnO1stFNhcOw0SPascMTqbkTFHbD-aEHjROKvOfvoO8-hUbUh4oBsa2hMPn1AUU7vHgTPNkR5zk1YHWe3_xH_MOCGsR3UDM9WkUJWTxVTOjM96MwvM1RXQ27D3m8CE-lR/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striated Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our first stop was on a little "island" in Barangay Pulo-Pulo. There were good sightings there though quite far. We saw <span style="color: orange;">Whimbrels</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Little Terns</span>, and three <span style="color: orange;">Chinese Egrets</span> among other waders.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2AmSBTEBk-yPrgJQ_DW0k0RZS30akGghslc3KpuqDL3lb26hqy9mypqdm7emDS5NfNQcpiq0fAWR_P0BM8etbFQ2bKLNUuYnwl6GAfd4h_F3Bml8b6Qi7g7FICB62_L2EXRDsAZyh_6J/s1600/28235333_10155663883178649_3010884000647572011_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2AmSBTEBk-yPrgJQ_DW0k0RZS30akGghslc3KpuqDL3lb26hqy9mypqdm7emDS5NfNQcpiq0fAWR_P0BM8etbFQ2bKLNUuYnwl6GAfd4h_F3Bml8b6Qi7g7FICB62_L2EXRDsAZyh_6J/s400/28235333_10155663883178649_3010884000647572011_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our small "office" in Manila Bay =)<br />
Photo by Harry Miller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb45hhgM3M7q5lvPPnFdW1DJQgX7F66zjn595s2k_OFewfEM8Gz8WGZLDDUUaXJ7bsvkBGFZikq1N0AzJwmPAHV1jRaWVMzgoDAC7UON7luEIbwCabg5UDnSiJsdRG1g1wzJzfd0BqTR0/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb45hhgM3M7q5lvPPnFdW1DJQgX7F66zjn595s2k_OFewfEM8Gz8WGZLDDUUaXJ7bsvkBGFZikq1N0AzJwmPAHV1jRaWVMzgoDAC7UON7luEIbwCabg5UDnSiJsdRG1g1wzJzfd0BqTR0/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Egret busy foraging for food</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD6Kn1o0sB8bxWg_8O3dqiV80OtoHBZpyhsApEWIWafVEvbCusKXm3c8MttYPcf29XbzI0bW12b-YAV4mO4We3vbCuDSf-ULWAjQ8ypUXrf02TweECcCh7ETmfmdQPk5OJKYI6Gm73ar8/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD6Kn1o0sB8bxWg_8O3dqiV80OtoHBZpyhsApEWIWafVEvbCusKXm3c8MttYPcf29XbzI0bW12b-YAV4mO4We3vbCuDSf-ULWAjQ8ypUXrf02TweECcCh7ETmfmdQPk5OJKYI6Gm73ar8/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb06.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Little Terns on a sand bar</td></tr>
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After counting the area, we headed back out the bay and stopped at a place the boatmen called "Capiz Beach" in Bambang. The water was too shallow so Arne and I transferred to the paddle boat and headed to the beach to check for birds. We found almost none...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufkrNqTrQa9pn-cDmw65pfygyhM_Gf0gVrx64DjFAOqllt-5wtw02tyP48-DyYR0ActHEVvgnfm2BFoLJDYVDq6FUJibo_y7kyNlQD1elx2bano54dnfc7yj4EpdiLhXkqW0W_1vrNuI8/s1600/IMG_6290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufkrNqTrQa9pn-cDmw65pfygyhM_Gf0gVrx64DjFAOqllt-5wtw02tyP48-DyYR0ActHEVvgnfm2BFoLJDYVDq6FUJibo_y7kyNlQD1elx2bano54dnfc7yj4EpdiLhXkqW0W_1vrNuI8/s400/IMG_6290.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arne scanning a potentially bird-y area for birds. Nada.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBf9PQT2Rb2Ncve5ymU65KdczQbRvIPEeBsbCShKDPfQePk-muP2RCb0aEHBeobASrADI-32yW5zXlWdd4baCQtw3QZqt0jWBsh0LAWyI6fGi755z4pQXkpZSGZnKxnNoz3MqH_GfySFg/s1600/28337509_10155663883593649_6077496318889759323_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1445" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBf9PQT2Rb2Ncve5ymU65KdczQbRvIPEeBsbCShKDPfQePk-muP2RCb0aEHBeobASrADI-32yW5zXlWdd4baCQtw3QZqt0jWBsh0LAWyI6fGi755z4pQXkpZSGZnKxnNoz3MqH_GfySFg/s400/28337509_10155663883593649_6077496318889759323_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our small and reliable paddle boat! <br />
Photo by Harry Miller</td></tr>
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As we transferred to our next stop, the fish pens and exposed rocks served as additional "sites" with <span style="color: orange;">Greater Crested Terns</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Black-headed Gulls</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Pacific Golden Plovers</span>, and <span style="color: orange;">Ruddy Turnstones</span>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-Dej9wO0iHbdakOWr4-pMMQQF5qW90G_QeEH9Y6ObH7JB26VMpMI0DFywGp_Lx2v47KlWmX-Y9wTjvkyisvkVn09cJ6FAOxpYfy7YyWJJPAEdMtc0F17dXalLnDTFFNHVyq2-EbpCaMI/s1600/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-Dej9wO0iHbdakOWr4-pMMQQF5qW90G_QeEH9Y6ObH7JB26VMpMI0DFywGp_Lx2v47KlWmX-Y9wTjvkyisvkVn09cJ6FAOxpYfy7YyWJJPAEdMtc0F17dXalLnDTFFNHVyq2-EbpCaMI/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terns and gulls in a row</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6ElATr3avDr1ilJIZHjZ5FXk_AKnRCUQ-tWtFbaim5CQR0TrZfPP_L5cJgi10t9hOoDEH4PhIQHW4wyp57obaqFiCqjArfRomS7s0hX-e89G7lvhlVVm5_nmm1vkrDFfL8z3pmiSY2Yq/s400/Manila+Bay+Birds+-+Feb10.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Crested Terns are always a delight to see =)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Golden Plovers on exposed rocks</td></tr>
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The gems of the trip, for me at least, were the salt pans we visited. Aside from it being my first time to see actual salt pans, it was waders galore!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Harry on his scope, scanning for birds</td></tr>
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We spotted a huge congregation of waders in the inner, empty plots of land so we went for a closer look and found a big group of 68 <span style="color: orange;">Far Eastern Curlews</span>! There were also lots of <span style="color: orange;">Lesser Sand Plovers</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Kentish Plovers</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Pacific Golden Plovers</span>, and <span style="color: orange;">Red-necked Stints</span>. Another treat for me was seeing <span style="color: orange;">Curlew Sandpipers</span>. It has been awhile since I last saw them!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waders!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the flock of curlews we saw</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tinggay, Arne, and Harry counting and listing birds</td></tr>
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We finished counting at around 5PM, and we sped back, wet and tired, to the fish port in Atlag. We had a total count of 6,127 birds for the day. Not bad and especially since we were able to stumble upon that big flock of Far Eastern Curlews! I'm grateful to have played a small role in this endevor and I can't wait to read the final report on this project and see the results of Arne's efforts 😊<br />
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-21965045189594730512018-02-15T19:29:00.001+08:002018-02-15T21:07:38.106+08:00The Jade Emperor's Binondo RaceWe've always called Mike the "Emperor" of the birdwatching club, but last Sunday he got "promoted" into the Jade Emperor!<br />
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Mike and his friends in <b>Chinoylife</b>, a group of Filipino-Chinese that aims to preserve their unique heritage, organized a Chinatown Challenge to celebrate the coming of the Chinese New Year in the form of a race around Binondo. Jon immediately organized Jasmin, Djop, and me to form a team and we were all set to go! On the day itself, we registered at the First United Building along Escolta and were assigned as Team Tiger 😼</div>
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The other 11 teams gathered and started the race in the First United Building where a traditional lion dance was performed. After the dance, the Jade Emperor Mike and Gwen gave the introduction and told us the traditional story of the Jade Emperor's race. (<i>Read about the story <a href="https://blog.pachamama.org/chinese-new-years-blog" target="_blank">here</a>.</i>)<br />
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We were then given the first challenge: tracing a Chinese character on each other's backs pass-the-message style! Our team needed a number of tries before we were given a clue pointing us where to go next. We were given canvas bags, maps, a bottle of water each and were directed to the first challenge: LION DANCE. I've always wanted to try this and volunteered (sorry, guys if I didn't ask you anymore hehehe.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIrZCqraABqBfh64KgKpHmDbJkXnp_21XfNp5nFF9unO6YmRADtAA_XGIvmTW829PKNebDvAeD7V7Vb0v6Wq6RU7jr4Jp70F0zdIFxgt8VXUdEjcCs7NoKKv-8r5awfVePdoVBpwkA4wu/s1600/Snapshot+2+%25282-15-2018+8-45+AM%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="460" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIrZCqraABqBfh64KgKpHmDbJkXnp_21XfNp5nFF9unO6YmRADtAA_XGIvmTW829PKNebDvAeD7V7Vb0v6Wq6RU7jr4Jp70F0zdIFxgt8VXUdEjcCs7NoKKv-8r5awfVePdoVBpwkA4wu/s400/Snapshot+2+%25282-15-2018+8-45+AM%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me and Jasmin under the lion costume!</td></tr>
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We completed the challenge and were given a clue... we raced through the streets of Binondo looking for where "liberty is guarded by two marble lions" We ended up in Liberty Hall where the entrance is flanked by two marble Chinese lions. We needed to answer a dozen riddles (and get at least 3 correct) before we got our puzzle piece.</div>
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The next challenges were a blur of games, speed eating, and kung fu posing! We also gobbled down bowls of rice, Chinese lumpia, asado siopao, and taro puffs!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Tiger at Lumpia House, which we missed the first time <br />
much to the frustration of our marshal, Mike. Hehe.<br />
He was so happy when we finally spotted it!<br />
Photo by Stephen Pamorada</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2coMqyp8xHXWYi2BPoO9x9BlTqY7QAmAgdKpR7lN8r4gZnguRbEy5ks0qYlaGd4-Lqclfg1Y57K22H7lTxkNRB9jWp0h0Te56IQPq7Spdzk9knW0V1V6HvZi4sfePcyqb0PewFm2cqbu/s1600/27913004_2261082170583924_7393914332044586815_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1077" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2coMqyp8xHXWYi2BPoO9x9BlTqY7QAmAgdKpR7lN8r4gZnguRbEy5ks0qYlaGd4-Lqclfg1Y57K22H7lTxkNRB9jWp0h0Te56IQPq7Spdzk9knW0V1V6HvZi4sfePcyqb0PewFm2cqbu/s400/27913004_2261082170583924_7393914332044586815_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved the photo challenge where we had to imitate poses on a card.<br />
Photo by Tommy Tan</td></tr>
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We finally made our way to the finish line which was at the newly-opened <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatbuddhacafe/" target="_blank">Great Buddha Cafe</a> along Ongpin Street where we found six other teams already there, placing our team in seventh place. We got the final piece of our puzzle, formed it in record time, and sat down to relax and cool down.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe204MxQxyMhbChEy_BglKYSe9nWOopE3_4gNzphsCl75TAKcu7zi_hJZdVyuuRneY8kThk3vTf8qQPuIWN2xUizlJbkQSlgT8UuMzyNZynNE-jmjNb2KCvq_yAR5G_Bm4s9lLQR-M1kA/s1600/27993469_2261082413917233_5539644715481145303_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1078" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe204MxQxyMhbChEy_BglKYSe9nWOopE3_4gNzphsCl75TAKcu7zi_hJZdVyuuRneY8kThk3vTf8qQPuIWN2xUizlJbkQSlgT8UuMzyNZynNE-jmjNb2KCvq_yAR5G_Bm4s9lLQR-M1kA/s400/27993469_2261082413917233_5539644715481145303_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Tiger with our completed puzzle <br />
featuring the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. <br />
Photo by Tommy Tan</td></tr>
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When all the teams had arrived, all participants of the race were given loot bags (which included a pack of Pilot pens, yay!) The top three teams were announced and awarded their prizes and were soon whisked off to enjoy their 8-course lauriat dinner at Uno Restaurant. 😮</div>
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Our team stayed behind to enjoy some late afternoon coffee and to laugh some more about the exciting afternoon we just spent in Manila Chinatown. That afternoon will always be remembered with fits of laughter and lots of private jokes (<i>Zoltan</i>!) A number of birders also joined the race and this is definitely one of those unique non-birding experiences that will bond us -- whether we like it or not, hehe.</div>
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After all the pressure, laughter, out-of-your-comfort-zone eating (rice for me and veggies for Jon), the four of us will always be Team Tiger. Hear us roar. Nyar.</div>
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Sharing a short video of the Chinatown Challenge. Enjoy!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hSZuB1wS9V0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSZuB1wS9V0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-3448131685567275232018-01-24T08:17:00.002+08:002018-01-24T08:19:04.218+08:00"Warbler Neck"-ing for a SpiderhunterThere is a lingo unique to the world of birdwatching, a common language used among birders. <b>Lifer </b>(noun - <i>a bird you see for the first time</i>), <b>twitch </b>(verb - <i>a trip to specifically see a particular bird)</i>, dip (verb - <i>to miss out seeing a particular bird</i>), etc. One of the more uncommon phrases (at least maybe in the Philippines) in this list is "warbler neck" (along with "cosmic mindf*cker" -- but that's another post 😉)<br />
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<b>Warbler neck </b>refers to the pain you feel in your neck from spending so much time looking up at birds (usually warblers) high up in the trees. Yes, I'm sure many a birder has experienced the stiffness, the pain, and, in my case, the floating black spots and momentary blindness, once you return your neck to its normal position after looong minutes of looking up trying to find a bird in the canopy of trees. I've read it can even cause serious complication in some people! (<i>Birdwatcher's Digest has an article on how to avoid warbler's neck <a href="https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/solve/avoid-warbler-neck.php" target="_blank">here</a>.</i>)</div>
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I definitely felt I was getting warbler's neck when Djop and I went to UP Diliman to check out the Naked-faced Spiderhunters that have been spotted there a few weekends ago. We parked our car and walked to the flowering <i>lipote </i>tree and saw Sir Danny and Sir William already there. No spiderhunter yet, they said, but the area was buzzing with birds! </div>
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<span style="color: orange;">Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Red-keeled Flowerpeckers</span>, and <span style="color: orange;">Buzzing Flowerpeckers</span> were busy flying in and out of the <i>lipote </i>tree, feeding on its many flowers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was my first time to see Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers in UP Diliman =)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-keeled Flowerpecker</td></tr>
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Even the <span style="color: orange;">Yellow-vented Bulbuls</span> and <span style="color: orange;">Colasisis </span>took part in the feeding frenzy, landing on nearby trees before flying into the <i>lipote </i>to feed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4Bi1mxegLHB4xiwnSTU1lnx5uW6nx20um1MDw7BOrSjh_ZSNeWzzy4kflZokiht4oi0L4a8hIvhNa43tIbzQou1cE73YzhU7z1roFJy23Yc2MxnBb0vdn74fpebo7AydPqHGXoZ4AeO_/s1600/Spiderhunter01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4Bi1mxegLHB4xiwnSTU1lnx5uW6nx20um1MDw7BOrSjh_ZSNeWzzy4kflZokiht4oi0L4a8hIvhNa43tIbzQou1cE73YzhU7z1roFJy23Yc2MxnBb0vdn74fpebo7AydPqHGXoZ4AeO_/s400/Spiderhunter01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-vented Bulbul</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsDeYX_bfkPgf8BE9ON-ixVEpHnvxP0CpYJ685uaXOHhQUn3LYoUxU0IUz6OPQuDZApxjfjeOC6jYSA0hH5rhspJA840uoo564prJWH-WRJVrFbf1C4efyhOLMU9elyM4sLXxjfbCO6JA/s1600/Spiderhunter03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsDeYX_bfkPgf8BE9ON-ixVEpHnvxP0CpYJ685uaXOHhQUn3LYoUxU0IUz6OPQuDZApxjfjeOC6jYSA0hH5rhspJA840uoo564prJWH-WRJVrFbf1C4efyhOLMU9elyM4sLXxjfbCO6JA/s400/Spiderhunter03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colasisi as it launches itself into the <i>lipote </i>tree</td></tr>
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There were A LOT of <span style="color: orange;">Lowland White-eyes</span> noisily flying about and enjoying the <i>lipote </i>flowers and some <span style="color: orange;">Black-naped Orioles</span> kept coming back to partake of the blooms.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the many Lowland White-eyes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_R4cCp1wzt0ppt4-g1JSUd7SLxgu7q-oAzfASxPXxQuWcT6R5cSh1Rarn3nfX4wO2pvQJbNZgxaNVVOx0z9lqg9cre9DO9-Q_iuvO26LHNuG5nu-IxyC_4JQfZeQobzFQ9PwdLGPpMYY/s1600/Black+naped+Oriole_UPD_Jan201801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_R4cCp1wzt0ppt4-g1JSUd7SLxgu7q-oAzfASxPXxQuWcT6R5cSh1Rarn3nfX4wO2pvQJbNZgxaNVVOx0z9lqg9cre9DO9-Q_iuvO26LHNuG5nu-IxyC_4JQfZeQobzFQ9PwdLGPpMYY/s400/Black+naped+Oriole_UPD_Jan201801.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Black-naped Orioles couldn't resist the feast</td></tr>
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After a few minutes, Djop suddenly pointed out the main reason of our twitch: <span style="color: orange;">Naked-faced Spiderhunter</span>! It was perched on the leafless tree beside the <i>lipote</i>! I raised my binoculars just in time to see it for a second before it flew into the <i>lipote</i>. Cool! It kept popping in and out of view for a few times, but always high up the leafless tree. We were able to spot two Spiderhunters that morning, but I did not get any decent shot of it. Oh well.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ONLY photo I was able to take of the Spiderhunter that morning 😅</td></tr>
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Our friend Gilbert also popped up to point us to another spot where the Spiderhunters were observed at better vantage points. Sir Danny, Djop, and I waited a while in that area and saw 3 Spiderhunters but they kept to the large trees which gave good views through the binoculars but really bad photos.</div>
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We soon said our goodbyes and see-you-soons and finally gave our necks a much-needed rest from all the warbler neck-ing that morning 😁 </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdKeUEHEphCJmos4HXYOKTCGpBvSWF03HmBFRuKyzaLvorlYpUiGXWdbBDAcg_OxjURb5VKOym9uMF7Cf9q21rTYCINQWhK2RcdTAxTkPUFGOnzyvI8cXieHmyez_FnklEFVTrc1zAflf/s1600/Naked-faced+Spiderhunter+Tanay_15Jan2015_07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdKeUEHEphCJmos4HXYOKTCGpBvSWF03HmBFRuKyzaLvorlYpUiGXWdbBDAcg_OxjURb5VKOym9uMF7Cf9q21rTYCINQWhK2RcdTAxTkPUFGOnzyvI8cXieHmyez_FnklEFVTrc1zAflf/s400/Naked-faced+Spiderhunter+Tanay_15Jan2015_07.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reposting one of my favorite photos:<br />
Naked-faced Spiderhunter, 2015</td></tr>
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-57962611616735830482018-01-20T17:34:00.000+08:002018-01-20T17:34:06.924+08:00Hopeful for Candaba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was a great morning to go birding. The skies were clear, the sun was up, and a cool breeze was blowing. All that was lacking were the birds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvAhSzNZsW5AfMDAsagxqAIS1mbe2pvxBJpT5lG6PWHV27I35UDXKmLKhjSVja5Pcs-W3baGW8jy934VozyLRvbYCI4b9MuxbOFpJylAxOYpI45ewTdX11aMEWkrKJR89rpR9MJZWqeCF/s1600/AWC+2018_Candaba11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvAhSzNZsW5AfMDAsagxqAIS1mbe2pvxBJpT5lG6PWHV27I35UDXKmLKhjSVja5Pcs-W3baGW8jy934VozyLRvbYCI4b9MuxbOFpJylAxOYpI45ewTdX11aMEWkrKJR89rpR9MJZWqeCF/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mayor's pond still housed a number of bird species but the vegetation<br />
was so thick, it was almost impossible to see most of the birds</td></tr>
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January is Asian Waterbird Census "season" and I was happy that Djop and I were able to volunteer again for this year's Candaba count. The <a href="http://maiabird.blogspot.com/2017/01/counting-non-ducks.html" target="_blank">AWC in Candaba last year</a> yielded a total of 6,466 waterbirds counted but things were looking a bit gloomy for the site for the 2018 count. Recent reports from fellow birders described the place as being overgrown, with many parts converted to rice fields which meant birds were few. I personally braced for a dismal count... and that was what we got.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r0hyphenhyphenrUtKH6JW0jkxfxFIGYVVtyFNH8dOxf_SEA59IRzaTQlLgtabG9rcyraL7nwvBT2S0NTYJlIzePFBIt3kdP6rsC6z3ZtzLWzrD9IO7jMBywOTrjeY2TYUxkJB0tFziMsj_OjV0PDY/s1600/AWC+2018_Candaba09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r0hyphenhyphenrUtKH6JW0jkxfxFIGYVVtyFNH8dOxf_SEA59IRzaTQlLgtabG9rcyraL7nwvBT2S0NTYJlIzePFBIt3kdP6rsC6z3ZtzLWzrD9IO7jMBywOTrjeY2TYUxkJB0tFziMsj_OjV0PDY/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba09.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find the ducks!<br />This was the most open patch of water in the pond that we spotted that morning</td></tr>
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The 2018 AWC in Candaba had a total of 1,449 waterbirds counted, the largest numbers of which were the <span style="color: orange;">Black-crowned Night Herons</span> (259) followed by the <span style="color: orange;">Purple Herons</span> (226.) The sad numbers of ducks and even species of ducks seen, I guess, are the best evidence of how the place has turned for the worst.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQT6OdPEdsfM_nnlBkU-UbWpXpyvGthtRiZxB5OG2mlmLwfbw5S-D8T4aPMv4LApQixvMa56zHKkZIZRdTcm6tZnMGxXVxcBuW6rY2WlKNPddYKxvgbvcbAIy89t0J2BX29SiJ6C7n3G8/s1600/AWC+2018_Candaba02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQT6OdPEdsfM_nnlBkU-UbWpXpyvGthtRiZxB5OG2mlmLwfbw5S-D8T4aPMv4LApQixvMa56zHKkZIZRdTcm6tZnMGxXVxcBuW6rY2WlKNPddYKxvgbvcbAIy89t0J2BX29SiJ6C7n3G8/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black-crowned Herons were one of the most visible birds in the<br />
Mayor's pond that morning</td></tr>
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Can you imagine only 120 <span style="color: orange;">Garganeys</span>, 40 <span style="color: orange;">Northern Shovelers</span>, 12 <span style="color: orange;">Wandering Whistling Ducks</span>, 54 <span style="color: orange;">Philippine Ducks</span>, and only 1 female <span style="color: orange;">Northern Pintail</span> counted? Even the plovers and sandpipers were in very low numbers, the total population counted for that morning not even going over a hundred.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ocWM8_k4MHInzk4zyGHkUk47dcBGjhJURxe3NP-CnWZsdW5ph9WloSzlxt8MQjpEde55x-z086G5extHJkEEPWlBi5NaDinDfBf0Y57aklCuA8pU3pVd4himVqnWKsEMlcQu9vOjfuUS/s1600/AWC+2018_Candaba06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ocWM8_k4MHInzk4zyGHkUk47dcBGjhJURxe3NP-CnWZsdW5ph9WloSzlxt8MQjpEde55x-z086G5extHJkEEPWlBi5NaDinDfBf0Y57aklCuA8pU3pVd4himVqnWKsEMlcQu9vOjfuUS/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba06.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candaba "bird-scape" January 2018:<br />A far cry from the hundreds (even thousands!) of ducks <br />that used to take flight over the Mayor's pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIie99ha8LLkm0QMyuJXZM6_fAA2fbNfWliDLWPiUL5Ab4i7cFgu6BO0b6kg8otwd6Ju3AcaNWFG3YsDjRb_f-qZMV3gDBubDSQtbZ0PvuuHtyxhAHESpLKE0igbP_K_ZPqkKkW2f1vgK/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba08.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone Wandering Whistling Duck settled in an open spot of water,<br />the rest were hidden in the vegetation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAsXsMNMvdz2pA3MCXg0D9gq9ND5_VsCexVdV-oIS4f_J_RMU7AZjkiXP4gaSJqMioUhUVpKQZjJNFthRqMK3O6v-o9acFgbRxEHAWFTnk7oSBnHZ6o_Bx_PvvNtEFI_Xm0laVbwm0ehE/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba03.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our team scanned and scanned for any more birds that could be seen and<br />counted for the census</td></tr>
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I could go on and on about how bad the situation is in Candaba now, especially since I've seen it in better, more birdy-er days BUT it's a new year! And as I spoke briefly to former Candaba Mayor Gerry Pelayo, I saw a faint glimmer of hope and I think things may be looking up for Candaba. It's going to take careful planning, close coordination, and consistent implementation, but the wheels are in place and are ready to start turning, MAYBE there is real hope for Candaba's ecosystem to be restored to it's former health and beauty. We have to wait and see and hope for the best. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5neea0STUwlC6g6Qco0WgHxxcV9T02D_cQBvuYKpeRmXuQi9Psi0AHpERlUWKjjBO2TTxs3wnS1P8W3SxX1VKylHMSr0q1ltmP5f0KDB7gqgsNllOMO2ymX7nsRpSHkQxmmxpQ3UVTX_M/s1600/AWC+2018_Candaba07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5neea0STUwlC6g6Qco0WgHxxcV9T02D_cQBvuYKpeRmXuQi9Psi0AHpERlUWKjjBO2TTxs3wnS1P8W3SxX1VKylHMSr0q1ltmP5f0KDB7gqgsNllOMO2ymX7nsRpSHkQxmmxpQ3UVTX_M/s400/AWC+2018_Candaba07.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-44735523453193124922018-01-08T08:27:00.001+08:002018-01-08T08:27:19.212+08:00New Year, New Life!What a great way to start the new year with a neighborhood nest with chicks ready to fledge!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT9B2-jlStqUgGVxB2o3wDyUCnnk6Ac9uDX9reQe2A94HaFDL0OYy5v49_ineWvDXaxCjaFw7osFjgsJUNi3f9akGQj7fVffzM5Kx5Bs4gH3pKC8p5YPZZYFwqbJZC_6Fp7h0ZnorCTaT/s1600/OBS_Caras_Jan201804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT9B2-jlStqUgGVxB2o3wDyUCnnk6Ac9uDX9reQe2A94HaFDL0OYy5v49_ineWvDXaxCjaFw7osFjgsJUNi3f9akGQj7fVffzM5Kx5Bs4gH3pKC8p5YPZZYFwqbJZC_6Fp7h0ZnorCTaT/s400/OBS_Caras_Jan201804.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I first noticed that our neighborhood Olive-backed Sunbirds were extra noisy last December. I immediately had a suspicion that they had a nest nearby! I grabbed my binoculars and stepped outside to check out what all the noise was about. My suspicion was correct and I saw a pair of sunbirds busy flying back to our neighbors <i>kamuning </i>tree inside their garage! They were busy gathering nesting material from the surrounding houses and bringing them back to their almost-finished nest. I saw that they preferred collecting some of Princess's, our neighbor's dog, fur 😁</div>
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Djop and I had to leave Manila for the Christmas and New Year holidays so I was thrilled to see that the chicks haven't fledged yet when we returned in January! There were two chicks peeping out of the nest and would be fed regularly by their father.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXN0Qfs8SShz43ZnFVpDTALIsPEA25MM7NE4bLUNhcUGU8hVnQVum4leEfPE7SfY2MOJW9HByixcT6HB6eZiRySG6UhNk2_1vhozavpauptEb5Ss5KllINUwDDHMFl5XeCd2fM0VagDNw/s1600/OBS_Caras_Jan201801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXN0Qfs8SShz43ZnFVpDTALIsPEA25MM7NE4bLUNhcUGU8hVnQVum4leEfPE7SfY2MOJW9HByixcT6HB6eZiRySG6UhNk2_1vhozavpauptEb5Ss5KllINUwDDHMFl5XeCd2fM0VagDNw/s400/OBS_Caras_Jan201801.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry shot of the father feeding its two hungry chicks</td></tr>
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<br />Just this past weekend, one of the chicks had already left the nest but the other stayed and was still being fed by the father.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvPfDDb0vY9LuDXs7J7l_vLXcVMmV20vpk1dKW0QkFzsZPDMh3AbpbmDLeqn9i2XmTS_yZWduPbA0dUf3snC4izb1OikvfrZtPulfMi29Kr_iI3HOTiQu06TGbub5AtSemFJtuKUX96zg/s1600/OBS_Caras_Jan201802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvPfDDb0vY9LuDXs7J7l_vLXcVMmV20vpk1dKW0QkFzsZPDMh3AbpbmDLeqn9i2XmTS_yZWduPbA0dUf3snC4izb1OikvfrZtPulfMi29Kr_iI3HOTiQu06TGbub5AtSemFJtuKUX96zg/s400/OBS_Caras_Jan201802.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWY7SyRpnmnwNAXBMpMmwW2951cJq2kIhrxk11MDpyBwCUBJMcDHX74W-xqyzF181cuT2TyZIPb1HgbfYPB_ps8womxG-dXTKSlCp5JKayymtuL_QKZqsIRW03AYHyDioV9TfU1C9IH5J3/s1600/OBS_Caras_Jan201803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWY7SyRpnmnwNAXBMpMmwW2951cJq2kIhrxk11MDpyBwCUBJMcDHX74W-xqyzF181cuT2TyZIPb1HgbfYPB_ps8womxG-dXTKSlCp5JKayymtuL_QKZqsIRW03AYHyDioV9TfU1C9IH5J3/s400/OBS_Caras_Jan201803.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm amazed and grateful that the sunbirds have chosen to build their nest just in front of our house and have successfully brought a new generation of young into our neighborhood! A great start to 2018!</div>
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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!</div>
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<i>PS I'll be uploading a short video here as soon as I get better internet connection ;)</i></div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-27856048522074718182017-11-12T09:18:00.002+08:002017-11-12T09:58:37.513+08:00Feels Like A Lifer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are some birds that feel like a lifer each time you see them. It's like that for me when I see a wader I've seen before but now seeing it in its breeding plumage. Or when I see a male Narcissus Flycatcher again, my former unicorn. I just wondered aloud a few days ago if I would get to see it again and as fate would have it, I saw it again yesterday, exactly a year and 10 days after I ticked it off as a lifer.</div>
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After <b>Lala</b> mentioned seeing the Narcissus Flycatcher recently in UP, my friend <b>Nic</b> went to twitch it and he was able to see and photograph both the male and female! I had an hour to spare the following day and so after dropping my dad off, I grabbed by birding bag, lathered on some mosquito repellent, and went to try for the Narcissus.<br />
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I arrived at the area and was immediately swarmed with mosquitoes. Large ones. That buzzed loudly in your ears and attacked your eyeballs. I was very fidgety. I picked a spot and waited, straining my eyes for any movement. Nothing. I got impatient and transferred to another spot. Nothing.<br />
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The minutes ticked by and I was worried I wouldn't see it. I consciously told myself to calm down and chill. It's only been 15 minutes anyway (well, Nic spotted it immediately upon arriving but hey.... no pressure.) I forced myself to relax. Yes, forced. For 15 minutes more.<br />
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The birds suddenly started singing: <span style="color: orange;">Golden-bellied Flyeaters</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Philippine Pygmy Woodpeckers</span>, flyby <span style="color: orange;">Colasisi</span>, <span style="color: orange;">Black-naped Orioles</span>, and <span style="color: orange;">Yellow-vented Bulbuls</span>. A couple of <span style="color: orange;">Pied Fantails </span>flew around me and a <span style="color: orange;">Barred Rail </span>fed on the concrete walkway. Even the sky opened up and released beautiful rays of light as if pointing me towards the bird I was looking for. I started to really relax and I took some photos of the beautiful morning I was almost missing out on and then, movement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPpWZNEuFIrTDVUUNN5g8M5YCQhmxdV25HIOvw5dTtQOf__ZzPbdXH6vZufB7catQOaflJ_on55h7di9r85NBo_Ub_YeuTeHdbevVkAu3cEo4zVXh_lydUxK1tOeq7BEr60_E0fkya8CX/s1600/IMG_3122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPpWZNEuFIrTDVUUNN5g8M5YCQhmxdV25HIOvw5dTtQOf__ZzPbdXH6vZufB7catQOaflJ_on55h7di9r85NBo_Ub_YeuTeHdbevVkAu3cEo4zVXh_lydUxK1tOeq7BEr60_E0fkya8CX/s400/IMG_3122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A small bird perched high on the bamboo to my left and I knew. I raised my binoculars and there it was: the male <span style="color: orange;"><b>Narcissus Flycatcher</b></span>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hhf9b_qGwNUv3am307yY3sxKKSB4uQd1gorO0DgDBjHdRZxsysvNY4BZGevJuPBx6kUKepPvFuuaBh5OmUiEDqHjY2r6_1wIE7vZek9vNy5klE05Jn5LyIhpXgRCJXq2LM7_dBUNN43E/s1600/Narcissus+FC02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hhf9b_qGwNUv3am307yY3sxKKSB4uQd1gorO0DgDBjHdRZxsysvNY4BZGevJuPBx6kUKepPvFuuaBh5OmUiEDqHjY2r6_1wIE7vZek9vNy5klE05Jn5LyIhpXgRCJXq2LM7_dBUNN43E/s400/Narcissus+FC02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was feeding actively, flying from one perch to the next, moving closer and closer, and at one time even perching a few feet from my face! I only managed a few shots before it flew off leaving me overwhelmed at the brief encounter. I stayed for a few more minutes hoping it would return but it didn't and I had to go home.</div>
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It really was a beautiful morning, one I needed to slow down, relax, and release some stress. Seeing the Narcissus Flycather was the cherry on top and felt like I was getting a lifer again.</div>
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<br />maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-66570144735155220452017-10-28T09:29:00.000+08:002017-10-28T09:29:01.157+08:00Birding with My EarsWhen guiding new birdwatchers, I always say that birding involves not only our sense of sight but our sense of hearing as well; that in birding we both open our eyes and our ears. I guess I never really understood and appreciated the concept until I met Aga.<br />
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Born Mark Joseph Casidsid, he was nicknamed Aga because he was born two months too soon ("<i>aga</i>" means early in Filipino.) He was diagnosed with an eye disease that affects premature babies which meant that he would completely lose his eyesight as he got older. This happened before he turned 20 years old... I can only imagine how he felt, but after some time, he was able to pick himself up and got involved in running. This path brought him to join marathons and to his application to join the UP Mountaineers (UPM.) (<i>Read more about Aga <a href="http://www.spin.ph/sports/fitness/mens-health/running-blind" target="_blank">here</a>.</i>)<br />
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Part of the UPM's activities for its applicants is a birdwalk, usually in the UP Diliman campus. Birder friend and UPM member Fredd asked if I could volunteer and help guide Aga during the birdwalk. Admittedly, at first I was unsure... how could I guide a person with visual impairment on a birding trip? I closed my eyes and tried to visualize how I could do it. After a few minutes, I told Fredd to count me in.<br />
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Djop and I met up with the rest of the WBCP volunteers and the UPM at their tamabayan in UP and we were soon off to bird! I introduced myself to Aga and Gabo, Aga's running coach and navigator, and we followed Prop Jerry, our group's lead guide.<br />
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I brought out my iPod and earphones which I loaded with the calls of the birds commonly seen in UP: Yellow-vented Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Colasisi, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Lowland White-eye, Pied Triller, Philippine Pied Fantail, Brown Shrike, and other birds. I would let Aga listen to the bird call of the particular bird the group was looking at so he was still actively involved in the experience. Most of the time though, the birds themselves sang live 😊<br />
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The birds really did not disappoint! Even the flowerpeckers were out and calling as they fed on some mistletoe, to be joined by Olive-backed Sunbirds. Aga's sense of hearing was very keen and he could easily determine where the sounds were coming from. His recall of the different bird calls and their names was also amazing.<br />
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I almost forgot about my binoculars because I had become so focused on listening. Suddenly, I could hear even faraway gerygones and sunbirds and I would discuss them with Aga. Many times, Aga would ask me about a bird call he was hearing and I had to keep still before I could pick out the sound among all the other noise around me.<br />
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Our group spent some time in front of the Marine Science Institute when a Colasisi/Philippine Hanging Parrot perched on a high tree and called noisily. It gave both a great visual and auditory show! Soon, we were walking back to the UPM tambayan. We took some group photos and chatted a bit about the bird walk. The applicants had a tree walk lined up next and the birders had to go.<br />
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It was a unique experience for me, focusing on sound more than the visual. It's easy to take for granted all other things when we are too busy looking and looking. That bird walk was different. Suddenly, visuals were not enough. When we encountered a bird, I silently willed it to call and sing so Aga could experience its presence. </div>
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It was an honor to have met such a brave and determined person. I taught him the birds he was hearing, and he taught me another level of appreciation for them. He taught me a new way to <i>really </i>experience and appreciate them. I hope you continue to go birding, Aga! And I hope to go birding with you again soon 😊</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabo, Aga<i>, me, and Djop after the bird walk</i></td></tr>
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<i><b>PS</b> I wrote an article for the WBCP's online newsletter about 10 common urban birds and I included some bird calls in the article. Read it <a href="https://ebonph.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/10-most-common-urban-birds/" target="_blank">here</a></i>.</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-59974309430242243162017-10-01T15:29:00.000+08:002017-10-23T16:04:44.877+08:00More to Explore in Beautiful Coron: Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was our third and last day in Coron and Djop and I were excited with what we would find in the half-day we had before our flight back to Manila. We checked out of Darayonan at 5:30am and were on the road with Ninong Chin to bird in the Yulo King Ranch (YKR.)</div>
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The landscape changed when we entered the 40,000-hectare ranch. Both sides of the road were green with grazing land and <b><span style="color: orange;">Slender-billed Crows</span></b> flew around and perched on the roadside fences.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLtbn1wyJ9QRojWVckYyt_YKNeDlCwkadnAvqI1QbhtY325iw21EraCG3MWIzid2pKSpkbB-70kybcJxJ_3Eyf8Yax7R7Iv4Z6xnGFypHP8bsUi1wKl7RX0BF1J6B5LmdU6nkQg25HzQd/s1600/Slender+billed+Crow01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLtbn1wyJ9QRojWVckYyt_YKNeDlCwkadnAvqI1QbhtY325iw21EraCG3MWIzid2pKSpkbB-70kybcJxJ_3Eyf8Yax7R7Iv4Z6xnGFypHP8bsUi1wKl7RX0BF1J6B5LmdU6nkQg25HzQd/s400/Slender+billed+Crow01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slender-billed Crow</td></tr>
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We were hoping for another sighting of the Changeable Hawk Eagle that we spotted shortly after we arrived in Coron a couple of days ago. Sadly, the raptor was nowhere to be seen when we passed through the area. There were quite a number of <span style="color: orange;"><b>egrets</b></span>, <b><span style="color: orange;">Spotted Doves</span></b>, <b style="color: orange;">Black-naped Orioles</b>,<b style="color: orange;"> Striated Grassbirds</b>, and <b><span style="color: orange;">Paddyfield Pipits</span></b> around. We reached the airport road and took some time stalking a couple of <b><span style="color: orange;">snipes</span></b> feeding in the grassy area beside the parking lot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed until one of the snipes came out in the open to pose for us.<br />
Such lovely feathers!</td></tr>
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There were more Paddyfield Pipits running about in the grass very close to the van. We spotted two male <b><span style="color: orange;">Blue Rock Thrushes</span></b> chasing each other around the airport parking lot and some <b><span style="color: orange;">Scaly-breasted Munias</span></b> posed in the morning sun, while <b><span style="color: orange;">Collared Kingfishers</span></b> called loudly from the trees and wire fences.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddyfield Pipit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaly-breasted Munia</td></tr>
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We left the airport and drove further into the ranch. We spotted a raptor up a tree but it was chased away by some crows! It moved to a farther tree where it was almost completely hidden from view. It flew off before we could get decent shots and a proper ID.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding the raptor and more birds along the road.</td></tr>
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We got back in the van and continued down the road. From the van, we saw a couple of <b><span style="color: orange;">Lesser Coucals</span></b> out drying their feathers and a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Black-chinned Fruit Dove</b></span> also getting some morning sun, although they were all far from the road.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out drying its feathers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some morning sun</td></tr>
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We passed by an empty field where there were some egrets, <span style="color: orange;"><b>Little Ringed Plovers</b></span> and also a lone <b><span style="color: orange;">Black-winged Stilt</span></b>. We soon left the ranch "proper" and entered Barangay Decalachao and headed straight towards a surprise destination: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theriverhousepalawan/" target="_blank">The Riverhouse</a>. </div>
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We entered the driveway and were surprised to see modern-looking cottages dotted along the road. I could imagine the wonderful view from each cottage! We stopped at the reception area and went straight to the restaurant area. It offered a great view of the Decalachao River and the vast mangroves around it.<br />
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While waiting for our breakfast to be prepared, we birded along the road. We were treated to a male <span style="color: orange;"><b>Olive-backed Sunbird</b></span> busy feeding on some heliconias.</div>
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A <b><span style="color: orange;">Rufous-tailed Tailorbird</span></b> sang around us, flitting this way and that, avoiding having its picture taken! I gave up on the skittish bird and just photographed some pretty butterflies and flowers around me.<br />
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We started walking back to the restaurant when Ninong Chin pointed out an immature <b><span style="color: orange;">White-vented Shama</span></b>. A female Olive-backed Sunbird also made an appearance among the heliconias near the restaurant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminded me of a juvenile Mangrove Blue Flycatcher</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Olive-backed Sunbird</td></tr>
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We returned to the restaurant where we had a big, hearty breakfast with a wonderful view 💖 Thank you again, Ninong Chin, for bringing us there!<br />
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After breakfast, the rain fell. We stayed in the restaurant and began wishing for awesome birds to perch on a nearby broken trunk. We did gets birds that perched there: <span style="color: orange;"><b>Asian Glossy Starlings</b></span>.<br />
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More birds came out even if it was raining. <b><span style="color: orange;">Ashy-fronted Bulbuls</span></b> and <b><span style="color: orange;">Palawan Flowerpeckers</span></b> perched on nearby trees. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting out in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a little shower</td></tr>
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When the rain stopped, we decided to check out the pier where there was a possibility of Stork-billed Kingfishers. We got out of the van and walked to the water's edge.<br />
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We scanned the mangroves and I spotted a spot of blue! <b><span style="color: orange;">Stork-billed Kingfisher</span></b> faaaaaaar away! Just above it, a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Chestnut-breasted Malkoha</b></span> preened in the drizzling rain.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted the flash of blue on this kingfisher</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the malkoha?</td></tr>
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We headed back to the van when the rain started to fall again. We drove back towards the airport but before that decided to check the new road being constructed. </div>
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As we were driving through, Djop spotted a raptor perched on a leafless tree. It was being mobbed by Slender-billed Crows and also a Black-naped Oriole. The raptor stood its ground and did not move.</div>
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We left the raptor and went further down the road. The fields gave way to trees and soon both sides of the road was lined with tall trees. There were some Chestnut-breasted Malkohas skulking in some trees but we did not have the luxury of time to stalk them. We reached the end of the newly constructed road and turned back. It was time to go to the airport. </div>
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But not before a quick check at the raptor! It was still there but had adjusted to a clearer perch.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angry-looking bird!</td></tr>
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It flew away after a few minutes and it was really time to go. We made our way back to the airport and said our goodbyes and thank yous. It was a wonderful three days in Coron, thanks to our gracious host, Ninong Chin 😊</div>
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Coron is such a wonderful place for birding and we have so much more to explore! Next time, we'll be sure to spend more time there (three days is definitely not enough!!!) and we'll include the other touristy spots to our itinerary. Maybe some snorkelling too? IF I'm brave enough 😉 But, my bravery aside, one thing's for sure... we'll be back!</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-81177565072636097222017-09-30T09:25:00.000+08:002017-10-18T20:33:29.071+08:00Surprises for the Birthday Boy: Coron Day 2<div style="text-align: left;">
It was Djop's birthday on our second day in Coron and we were up and ready to go at 5:30am! Great early start to celebrate his birthday! 😉 We were going back to Capayas Creek after an amazing <a href="http://maiabird.blogspot.com/2017/09/three-kings-plus-more-in-coron-day-1.html" target="_blank">first day birding</a> in the area. We arrived at the site and immediately set up in the hut for the day. The <span style="color: orange;"><b>Blue-eared Kingfishers</b></span> were in the same spot we saw them the previous day but they kept to the shadows. We were waiting for them to show better when we were distracted by the call of a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Blue Paradise Flycatcher</b></span>! </div>
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Kuya Erwin led us closer to where the bird was calling and we saw two of them flying around some low trees. I was able to get some nice views through my binoculars but the birds did not come out for any photos. While we were looking at the flycatcher, Sir Chin was photographing a juvenile <span style="color: orange;"><b>Hooded Pitta</b></span> that was busy preening on a low branch. It was soon joined by an adult before they flew off.<br />
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Many birds were calling around us, Palawan Flowerpeckers, Olive-backed Sunbirds, Ashy-fronted Bulbuls, but not many showed. A couple of <b><span style="color: orange;">Blue-headed Raquet-tails </span></b>made their presence heard as they flew above us. One perched on a nearby tree but did not come out to show itself. I distracted myself with a beautiful caterpillar busy munching on a leaf.<br />
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We decided to walk to the other side of the road and search for more birds there. We realized Djop hasn't been able to get good views and any photos of the White-vented Shama, one of the more common birds in Coron! Unacceptable!</div>
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Well, the birthday boy was in for a surprise because we hadn't even reached the main road when we were treated to nice long views of a singing <span style="color: orange;"><b>White-vented Shama</b></span>! We also got another one just across the road!</div>
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We walked further down the road while <span style="color: orange;"><b>Black-naped Orioles</b></span> flew around the canopy of trees above us. We were hoping for better views of the Rufous-backed Kingfisher that only showed briefly the previous day. We got to the small bridge and spotted a <b><span style="color: orange;">Grey Wagtail </span></b>and a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Common Kingfisher </b></span>along the banks of the creek.</div>
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Djop and Kuya Erwin went exploring for the kingfisher while Sir Chin and I waited by the river bank. We were chatting when a small orange bird flew across the water to land unseen in the bamboo across us! <b><span style="color: orange;">Rufous-backed Kingfsher</span></b>! We were still trying to spot the bird when it flew back to our side of the creek and towards the area where Djop and Kuya Erwin were. We gingerly made our way to where they were and they pointed out a juvenile Rufous-backed Kingfisher! They told us it was being fed by an adult bird, which was probably the one Sir Chin and I saw by the creek! Another birthday surprise for the birthday boy! What a treat to be able to observe this kind of behavior!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYkBkv-pZvUYhFkMnnIAuU8r78iajYNve2IG8fWAwczxIU5TGVUrZ1n1KCA7tI2DQeZaG3qqd664csefM649d1yQfRxQluy7UCSwarLSPDvkIDzGW0DdNmrQOjATVWE3Ai-e-PQTQ4K_z/s1600/Rufous-backed+Kingfisher05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYkBkv-pZvUYhFkMnnIAuU8r78iajYNve2IG8fWAwczxIU5TGVUrZ1n1KCA7tI2DQeZaG3qqd664csefM649d1yQfRxQluy7UCSwarLSPDvkIDzGW0DdNmrQOjATVWE3Ai-e-PQTQ4K_z/s400/Rufous-backed+Kingfisher05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a beautifully-colored bird 😍</td></tr>
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The birds transferred to a more hidden perch but I was lucky enough to have found an opening in the foliage to witness the adult bringing food to the young one. I managed to get a short video too!<br />
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It started to drizzle soon after the kingfishers left, so we started walking back to the hut. We had to stop at the barangay hall when a light rain fell, and we compared notes and took some group photos 😁</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOPKRZSZodesQNGA9crNig3Fd2EyG8E-JJSDqinnM_JGqvImEVt3p1MCoqePEFXz2_H8cIBGYFgEioeH67WqyG2tc3kMy3r2O0gnpTgBgg-k9_OF2_iKdcR92Q_XhKu-T4WpPIsBubs-j/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOPKRZSZodesQNGA9crNig3Fd2EyG8E-JJSDqinnM_JGqvImEVt3p1MCoqePEFXz2_H8cIBGYFgEioeH67WqyG2tc3kMy3r2O0gnpTgBgg-k9_OF2_iKdcR92Q_XhKu-T4WpPIsBubs-j/s400/IMG_2384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break during the rainshower!<br />
After this shot, Sir Chin's camera fell!!! 😨<br />
Thankfully, no major damage! </td></tr>
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When the rain slowed down to a light drizzle, we made our way back to the hut for breakfast. The birds weren't so active but a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Black-chinned Fruit Dove</b></span> had its own breakfast on a nearby tree and the <b><span style="color: orange;">Black-naped Monarch</span></b> made a brief appearance (so no picture hehe.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4fBmGKSbMsizXItiHLaEwxmQoWfxz-4-pd0pYBXpztcVMiHvEelSVJU2y_CagU4f2bJ8i6ygeBUcK453DS-qEv0E9QGnEFDSJWvrTluOqaQI3SfYKCbWzgw8qBkhIDfTysI655gsLmIS/s1600/Black-chinned+FD01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4fBmGKSbMsizXItiHLaEwxmQoWfxz-4-pd0pYBXpztcVMiHvEelSVJU2y_CagU4f2bJ8i6ygeBUcK453DS-qEv0E9QGnEFDSJWvrTluOqaQI3SfYKCbWzgw8qBkhIDfTysI655gsLmIS/s400/Black-chinned+FD01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a hazy, drizzly morning!</td></tr>
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It was soon noon time and the Blue-eared Kingfishers were back in their usual spot. To our delight, they stayed for quite a long time, unperturbed by our presence.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Erf3oBqZfWHlPautOfoqAR_49n6vwqNPorHrZ42rihjcWn3ea6T7w-ECUk6IUbzftr52tkjcV9envfjpLCUxynmpUMdprimKh2_SoZ-0EV3cskGQGsQ315SbX_rAoqY0RxBGeP4bwvkM/s1600/Blue-eared+Kingfisher02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Erf3oBqZfWHlPautOfoqAR_49n6vwqNPorHrZ42rihjcWn3ea6T7w-ECUk6IUbzftr52tkjcV9envfjpLCUxynmpUMdprimKh2_SoZ-0EV3cskGQGsQ315SbX_rAoqY0RxBGeP4bwvkM/s400/Blue-eared+Kingfisher02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite shot of the Blue-eared Kingfisher. I like its pose 😊</td></tr>
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We were having our lunch of chili crabs and steamed fish when a male <span style="color: orange;"><b>Lovely Sunbird</b></span> perched close to the hut! We quickly washed our chili crab-soaked hands and ran to our cameras but the bird had gone! Back to the crabs...</div>
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After lunch, we walked to the area near Kuya Erwin's house and chased a male Lovely Sunbird as it flitted around the trees. I hope Djop and Sir Chin got good shots because these were all I got:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5Yrf1wkO5f3uzxEMCQMEgISh_BnW8137J2VW2Go5n3gnT1VssScd-wFDPPl5RXP7QfhTaXzXIpqnc3_O5WbCsangESns3VEMCx2A0vb_vdnznCcjLL0l3OpLRcFCCUrMMlPE3Yz40pct/s1600/Lovely+Sunbird01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5Yrf1wkO5f3uzxEMCQMEgISh_BnW8137J2VW2Go5n3gnT1VssScd-wFDPPl5RXP7QfhTaXzXIpqnc3_O5WbCsangESns3VEMCx2A0vb_vdnznCcjLL0l3OpLRcFCCUrMMlPE3Yz40pct/s400/Lovely+Sunbird01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would've made an awesome photo </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeYi463HUvS9D_PqRM1QgTusrKPlspEmzGzOapYC6O6fz4rRzRiOLdctYspnbCTrbkqCX0TwQE9Y09pWSiuovlukdS5jv5_dIUhlYpVtWbpM6pYscN1lRmVwOei3dPi3WjxgxcwNNnFmg/s1600/Lovely+Sunbird02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeYi463HUvS9D_PqRM1QgTusrKPlspEmzGzOapYC6O6fz4rRzRiOLdctYspnbCTrbkqCX0TwQE9Y09pWSiuovlukdS5jv5_dIUhlYpVtWbpM6pYscN1lRmVwOei3dPi3WjxgxcwNNnFmg/s400/Lovely+Sunbird02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's play: Guess the Sunbird!</td></tr>
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Ashy-fronted Bulbuls and Yellow-throated Leafbirds also surrounded us, while a Blue-Paradise Flycatcher teased us by calling but not showing. We returned to the hut and enjoyed our views of the kingfishers diving for fish in the creek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IZN2vetMfPuvyKDZVvmZfpVhNOe45KexpS8oUUX56joSSXRe1Pp3vEfMEABKeUOlxTbphO4zy8sK3BiOcjqwQMXSw-SQHR-Xu6OazXeZTtW-SXhdWjDC1H_IpjGMrse0OHPtgus0Gm1e/s1600/Blue-eared+Kingfisher03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IZN2vetMfPuvyKDZVvmZfpVhNOe45KexpS8oUUX56joSSXRe1Pp3vEfMEABKeUOlxTbphO4zy8sK3BiOcjqwQMXSw-SQHR-Xu6OazXeZTtW-SXhdWjDC1H_IpjGMrse0OHPtgus0Gm1e/s400/Blue-eared+Kingfisher03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair of Blue-eared Kingfishers hunting for fish! We were treated to lots<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">of diving action and whack-the-fish action that morning.</span></td></tr>
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As I was observing the kingfishers, I was surprised to see a branch slither away. Slither?! Snake!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CNO1Fq9qlTnQrolR-TzS_y3-E60yjMGUFWrOgTDDJeMbK_oh6ZxUyl39rKZdUF7HJq48tgKsSGfABeKD8uzNS8bjYHOrk1Fz1wO03U4Ow4WOC3WWxvMDpwSjgAkIdBy3FH2Oqla_XLKu/s1600/For+ID02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CNO1Fq9qlTnQrolR-TzS_y3-E60yjMGUFWrOgTDDJeMbK_oh6ZxUyl39rKZdUF7HJq48tgKsSGfABeKD8uzNS8bjYHOrk1Fz1wO03U4Ow4WOC3WWxvMDpwSjgAkIdBy3FH2Oqla_XLKu/s400/For+ID02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Emerson identified this as<br />
<i>Dendrelaphis levitoni</i>, a Palawan faunal region endemic</td></tr>
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I excitedly pointed it out to Djop (another birthday surprise!) and Sir Chin, mainly so I had witnesses and people would believe I saw a snake and did not just imagine a branch moving 😂 But the snake stayed in view for a bit, allowing us to observe its beautiful patterns and movements before it disappeared among the rocks. So cool! It was actually our second snake of the trip. Djop saw a thin, bright green snake up a coconut tree the previous day. Bird activity died down in the late afternoon so we decided to pack up and head to Villa Khadine to check out the birds there.</div>
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We arrived in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/villakhadinegrandvistaresort/?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">Villa Khadine</a> where we were welcomed by Tita Gigi, the owner and friend of Sir Chin. They had spotted a Stork-billed Kingfisher earlier that day and we were hoping we could see it too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRApt7XYAzxvDafj2ApkWyktqEZ0UaMfvl5E49v9ncj6h8_kqjjUM8c10as032GGriWq6naNpz8quRcSyg_Q55Kv-A7V5i_zVZun-H8T6bkoiWvR4kMcdnZRN9a9z-8lm-JQlW9qS6x8Mq/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRApt7XYAzxvDafj2ApkWyktqEZ0UaMfvl5E49v9ncj6h8_kqjjUM8c10as032GGriWq6naNpz8quRcSyg_Q55Kv-A7V5i_zVZun-H8T6bkoiWvR4kMcdnZRN9a9z-8lm-JQlW9qS6x8Mq/s400/IMG_2351.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the entrance of Villa Khadine</td></tr>
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Tita Gigi pointed out the spot where they had seen the kingfisher but there was a large group of <b><span style="color: orange;">Asian Glossy Starlings</span></b> already settling to roost. We walked to the view deck and took in the view of the mangroves in the dwindling day light. So much green!!!</div>
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As we were taking photos, Djop suddenly pointed out a bird perched on a tall and very far tree. Looking through our bins... <b><span style="color: orange;">Chestnut-breasted Malkoha</span></b>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx8TOF5gYxPjcTtylZJyfQcRgz-RY9vrFW89krs5hUn2lLsoIh6I5ZsZYSJuMCOenCW_vtkVC5Jx3Cu7zuD81IlDGJ3k3ddpyTsUV_VI7-Kdg5OU3bG0TDqn99ddZkPD2PeDOArYeNL7c/s1600/Villa+Khadine01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx8TOF5gYxPjcTtylZJyfQcRgz-RY9vrFW89krs5hUn2lLsoIh6I5ZsZYSJuMCOenCW_vtkVC5Jx3Cu7zuD81IlDGJ3k3ddpyTsUV_VI7-Kdg5OU3bG0TDqn99ddZkPD2PeDOArYeNL7c/s400/Villa+Khadine01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another surprise sighting for the day!</td></tr>
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There were two malkohas in the tree and they flew closer to us but stayed hidden. Tita Gigi invited us for coffee and we chatted about the birds they could see in the resort.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI30_jHL9phvUNeIN7tFC1TmBkgj0TQojvkVC2uwBgG1k9WED2ybtjm-EBKfwEGfkdN0F2IPXvzJRNpdPSH3CgqkYOanPQtbwGmypHFK2uFwvNzh-aYEYL0YxA4uaDnOuZgTXxm91orhh0/s1600/IMG_2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI30_jHL9phvUNeIN7tFC1TmBkgj0TQojvkVC2uwBgG1k9WED2ybtjm-EBKfwEGfkdN0F2IPXvzJRNpdPSH3CgqkYOanPQtbwGmypHFK2uFwvNzh-aYEYL0YxA4uaDnOuZgTXxm91orhh0/s400/IMG_2387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Tita Gigi, for the welcome and the coffee!</td></tr>
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We soon said our thank yous and goodbyes and walked to the van. It was a great birthday birding day and we were looking forward to a yummy celebratory dinner in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/darayonan/" target="_blank">Darayonan</a>. </div>
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But there was another surprise in store for the birthday boy! As we were approaching the van, a <b><span style="color: orange;">Spot-throated Flameback</span></b> called loudly and flew above us and perched! It was too far and covered for good photos but we did get good views as it moved its head back and forth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7e83iH6FUhmYyayTPx1Cq8KXnMHSt0v95WLzaw1M7lSNcg2Hsp7HRgMeA-dY1iLg6odI68Vy0NM9Z9YrUXfCQMbpF1d5NUWWqrO1NVDss-KKGQbgx3n0KPMlMtJ6acGKuZVTTroQrwv/s1600/Villa+Khadine02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7e83iH6FUhmYyayTPx1Cq8KXnMHSt0v95WLzaw1M7lSNcg2Hsp7HRgMeA-dY1iLg6odI68Vy0NM9Z9YrUXfCQMbpF1d5NUWWqrO1NVDss-KKGQbgx3n0KPMlMtJ6acGKuZVTTroQrwv/s320/Villa+Khadine02.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last surprise of the day!</td></tr>
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It was quickly getting dark so we said our goodbye to Tita Gigi and drove back to Darayonan. Little did we know that Sir Chin had another surprise for the birthday boy! </div>
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At Darayonan, we shared a wonderful and delicious birthday dinner for Djop of adobo, shrimps, and lobsters!!! Plus a yummy chocolate birthday cake for dessert!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe0UO1QDfLRDCPNEvGpk2fQExJQY6eyxaDfERIzGBlJYkd_69Qwof3GGp-pTr2HhdAroyt10lldvfZnkJFOuM7SWn_H9WbMn9VNIocu4ifEG3VkvMyPQ8rvdm7s4cOzkGJt0GFWpBd9_3/s1600/IMG_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe0UO1QDfLRDCPNEvGpk2fQExJQY6eyxaDfERIzGBlJYkd_69Qwof3GGp-pTr2HhdAroyt10lldvfZnkJFOuM7SWn_H9WbMn9VNIocu4ifEG3VkvMyPQ8rvdm7s4cOzkGJt0GFWpBd9_3/s320/IMG_2361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy (and easy to shell) birthday lobsters!</td></tr>
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With our stomachs and our hearts full, we finished our dinner and said our heartfelt thanks to our host (and ninong) 😊 We still had another exciting day ahead of us before our flight back to Manila!!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jjfO6OeGrhbR3-KFaAg8Vjszsra6tt43Y3mmBZ-BSc-_S9OKC4px_yd61cQibJbzCAs-zyif-bhcSg4DiMgoLsgwxbZ09cCk8KTRNHpmgVeC3uBSUkKCOg8mMdnFuXID3v2M93QeyYkq/s1600/IMG_2780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jjfO6OeGrhbR3-KFaAg8Vjszsra6tt43Y3mmBZ-BSc-_S9OKC4px_yd61cQibJbzCAs-zyif-bhcSg4DiMgoLsgwxbZ09cCk8KTRNHpmgVeC3uBSUkKCOg8mMdnFuXID3v2M93QeyYkq/s400/IMG_2780.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Ninong Chin!!! 😊</td></tr>
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</div>
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To be continued...</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-463815965513703960.post-71321729184464447812017-09-29T21:06:00.000+08:002017-10-11T08:09:51.539+08:00Three Kings (Plus More!) in Coron: Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I celebrated my birthday this year ticking off one of my most sought after lifers, so I felt it was only fair to return the favor and also give a birthday gift of lifers. Thankfully, Djop's birthday weekend was a long weekend in school, so we were able to take an early flight to Coron from Manila on a Friday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMUvdHQ74JObgRflMQW0EaQTT1wPlWCphkE9-0mcYuPJuMPzPoOjvon0VUcGtIYgFiMNwBhTbi-B6VEEVU8dcwINmRaPG-gYF6Wj4YWkKYs6lpmTEKabO1xLmEpaaTm6U_JZ5ndMbcM3x/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMUvdHQ74JObgRflMQW0EaQTT1wPlWCphkE9-0mcYuPJuMPzPoOjvon0VUcGtIYgFiMNwBhTbi-B6VEEVU8dcwINmRaPG-gYF6Wj4YWkKYs6lpmTEKabO1xLmEpaaTm6U_JZ5ndMbcM3x/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were on-time!</td></tr>
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We were picked up at the Busuanga Airport by our friend and fellow birder, <a href="http://chiwitchronicles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sir Chin</a>, who owns the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/darayonan/" target="_blank">Darayonan Lodge</a> in Coron where we would be staying for the weekend. We hadn't taken twenty steps from the airport lobby when Sir Chin pointed out some <span style="color: orange;"><b>Scaly-breasted Munias </b></span>busy building a nest in a low palm tree. Looks like it was going to be a birdy day!<br />
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We boarded the van and started our trip to town. The airport is inside the Yulo King Ranch (YKR) and is already a very birdy area! Sir Chin was telling us about the birds he has seen and photographed in the area including the Changeable Hawk-Eagle. He told us to scan the area for it and of course, other birds. Sir Chin spotted something perched on one of the fences and, it was our lucky day!!! A <span style="color: orange;"><b>Changeable Hawk-Eagle</b></span> sat on a wooden fence out in the open, in the middle of a field. Binocs and cameras were brought out and we managed a few shots before the large raptor flew over the field and perched on a leafless tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXIxOEnSubi4L3l0GUzDpL5MlU3gELCcidI382FHaBWYfht0vNwCMgFIwfG9JEQlCwxlkePjR8Y4zBp-nw4IN18xEPCXYXuYCoyApNw6uNN1LjXG8c9XNdN7b_TQwzMzdXHh26BceBGii/s1600/Changeable+Hawk+Eagle01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXIxOEnSubi4L3l0GUzDpL5MlU3gELCcidI382FHaBWYfht0vNwCMgFIwfG9JEQlCwxlkePjR8Y4zBp-nw4IN18xEPCXYXuYCoyApNw6uNN1LjXG8c9XNdN7b_TQwzMzdXHh26BceBGii/s400/Changeable+Hawk+Eagle01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this shot from inside the van, through the tinted window =)</td></tr>
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The raptor stayed on its perch but was too far for good photos. So we proceeded to Darayonan to check in and leave our things and prepare for the "official" start of our birding trip in Capayas Creek.<br />
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We arrived in the Capayas Bird Reserve a little past 9am and proceeded to the hut beside the actual creek where the kingfishers can be seen. The "3 kings" of Capayas are the Blue-eared Kingfisher, the Rufous-backed Kingfisher, and the Ruddy Kingfisher. I've seen them all before on previous trips to Coron but they would all be (birthday) lifers for Djop. </div>
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As we approached the hut, Sir Chin pointed out a <b><span style="color: orange;">Rufous-backed Kingfisher</span></b> already perched under the bamboo just in front of us! I managed one shot before the brightly-colored bird flew off downstream.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttVmxNCeTWZr1n3Fkn4uM9cL78ItnXdb0xBeVLNz3nLbtOGyd-xQrpHD5WzmC6lLltS_xW8V8-TL8Q4B56kF-ZWGuYdVU6QDTvYijzoKwjzhcki9HbPmOd3S6b3uUgrVj1SoKjcE2bUJx/s1600/Rufous+backed+Kingfisher03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttVmxNCeTWZr1n3Fkn4uM9cL78ItnXdb0xBeVLNz3nLbtOGyd-xQrpHD5WzmC6lLltS_xW8V8-TL8Q4B56kF-ZWGuYdVU6QDTvYijzoKwjzhcki9HbPmOd3S6b3uUgrVj1SoKjcE2bUJx/s400/Rufous+backed+Kingfisher03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First "king" of the trip!</td></tr>
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We set up our gear and waited for the kingfisher to come back. While waiting, some birds flew among the trees above the hut and we could hear flowerpeckers and sunbirds around us. We were joined by Kuya Erwin, the resident bird guide in Capayas. He called us to the area in front of his house (a few steps away from our hut) where flowerpeckers, bulbuls, and sunbirds were feeding in the trees and flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKq6m_9iid8SezSNKsobpR4bOCbaHC4gIY-bmL18SE8BK1jT-JGiv6D0LM9LVXPF8hcIdGWu5eHgKuySUTDKPPjyDC4nj_mMARbN49zfIy4gR0TckfP5aAOi4u-cRka4PMyPK8ohLvxpJ/s1600/Palawan+Flowerpecker01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKq6m_9iid8SezSNKsobpR4bOCbaHC4gIY-bmL18SE8BK1jT-JGiv6D0LM9LVXPF8hcIdGWu5eHgKuySUTDKPPjyDC4nj_mMARbN49zfIy4gR0TckfP5aAOi4u-cRka4PMyPK8ohLvxpJ/s400/Palawan+Flowerpecker01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Palawan Flowerpecker</td></tr>
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Soon the feeding frenzy died down and we returned to our stakeout for the kingfishers. Kuya Erwin spotted something in the trees and excitedly pointed out a <span style="color: orange;"><b>Chestnut-breasted Malkoha</b></span>! I honestly did not expect to get any more lifers on this trip... but I did!!!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxd1y6GkgA8UhyphenhyphenQ5iVSbzyjS-eS1FeOxvvZbM9d5r9Lv3bp2UxGpNY_Z4WMKU-p7KfPuEDghFFnyQU6XI_LDyYd30QHSM9S_DeThcy2NY6v1voA5vV9uLkpdgN0U-JPoQd4IVHFijJUV1/s1600/Chestnut+breasted+Malkoha01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxd1y6GkgA8UhyphenhyphenQ5iVSbzyjS-eS1FeOxvvZbM9d5r9Lv3bp2UxGpNY_Z4WMKU-p7KfPuEDghFFnyQU6XI_LDyYd30QHSM9S_DeThcy2NY6v1voA5vV9uLkpdgN0U-JPoQd4IVHFijJUV1/s400/Chestnut+breasted+Malkoha01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't expect any lifers for myself on this trip but I got two already <br />
on our first day!</td></tr>
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The malkoha moved to the inner branches of the mango tree and stayed hidden for some time before flying off. We returned to the hut again and waited for the kingfishers to show. An <span style="color: orange;"><b>Ashy Drongo </b></span>was nice enough to perch low and close to us while we waited and had breakfast.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6f_WECMn4Qp7Jt7E8cPj3o_DdAD9yvzZoqvhU2EpAztWeVt_a4LDoNNtWpzdr3Jb03zRjeEe48fP8T9RNpg_zfXV4ZnrCwdE9ZFyT2sG64W6AchflZvNARFnF0dzi0F3Z7i1zDP_pcan/s1600/Ashy+Drongo01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6f_WECMn4Qp7Jt7E8cPj3o_DdAD9yvzZoqvhU2EpAztWeVt_a4LDoNNtWpzdr3Jb03zRjeEe48fP8T9RNpg_zfXV4ZnrCwdE9ZFyT2sG64W6AchflZvNARFnF0dzi0F3Z7i1zDP_pcan/s400/Ashy+Drongo01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love its fishtail =)</td></tr>
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There was some movement in the bamboo grove in front of us and a <span style="color: orange;"><b>White-bellied Munia </b></span>(!) came out to perch for a few seconds. It wasn't a lifer for me but I've always wanted to see it again after my very brief and unsatisfactory first encounter with it some years back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6JYlSH-_S-ffmvzmq6dCig1JLbeZ3aIq35925wHuBWEqWJsZxJVMlpVSILpSAkb-UjyCRmHbbEhx_HhI2gzeXv_R1YKfqXjIOEw1xKdavMFnqAGSNlm24duxBrAQXZTwBqZLsu8RGCPO/s1600/White+bellied+Munia01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6JYlSH-_S-ffmvzmq6dCig1JLbeZ3aIq35925wHuBWEqWJsZxJVMlpVSILpSAkb-UjyCRmHbbEhx_HhI2gzeXv_R1YKfqXjIOEw1xKdavMFnqAGSNlm24duxBrAQXZTwBqZLsu8RGCPO/s400/White+bellied+Munia01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time I got great views! But an unsatisfactory shot 😅</td></tr>
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After some time, and a quick check back at Kuya Erwin's house, the Rufous-backed Kingfisher returned but stayed partially hidden. It stayed above the banks on the same side as the hut, making it extra hard to spot and photograph.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeixtVniHNJCNkfkej27BqY_snGTp8L9W4VY1UmpBwR8LTj0AgSp5i16nObk21kQhsYPpvumFn_nytSt3HF2MRlM4VLRgIU1NpC3kuKY-XC0Hu3csEUeyeYTInH99Oq5hejZKRqZl1sjL/s1600/Rufous+backed+Kingfisher01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeixtVniHNJCNkfkej27BqY_snGTp8L9W4VY1UmpBwR8LTj0AgSp5i16nObk21kQhsYPpvumFn_nytSt3HF2MRlM4VLRgIU1NpC3kuKY-XC0Hu3csEUeyeYTInH99Oq5hejZKRqZl1sjL/s400/Rufous+backed+Kingfisher01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a shy bird, with a flair for dramatic poses</td></tr>
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It was almost noon time and so far we've only had sightings of the Rufous-backed Kingfisher. We had our lunch in the hut and after was able to photograph some <b><span style="color: orange;">Yellow-throated Leafbirds </span></b>and <span style="color: orange;"><b>Ashy-fronted Bulbuls </b></span>just outside Kuya Erwin's house. More handsome Palawan Flowerpeckers also showed very well =)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtZs4d4i2rOVu-ZVmB_9z-l2NKYy_jO8BxWz17hdZbeZ1aDkAG9dMBBYZBriLEB7R5Pt7ETVmDuawtrfEwTQCRSxDxjtV2YpNhZ3J-hQvbUP_KRJTMvylwC-qL1cvEgXUtvEKf8OPo9bM/s1600/Yellow+throated+Leafbird01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtZs4d4i2rOVu-ZVmB_9z-l2NKYy_jO8BxWz17hdZbeZ1aDkAG9dMBBYZBriLEB7R5Pt7ETVmDuawtrfEwTQCRSxDxjtV2YpNhZ3J-hQvbUP_KRJTMvylwC-qL1cvEgXUtvEKf8OPo9bM/s400/Yellow+throated+Leafbird01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Leafbirds are always a delight to see </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLlxaLkoa6SUnGQ59W7cjhDJ5n8Xljdh7CikUNhKjRahTLk4YGM4UuIa8_2xZvBHVi6gL0F0CdI4SzyUXJZr_UJhs3OuRcGQ8Q762BK_DDWds5V8z6CqgdVSS_b85-L3kUzAPNx4oZ-_0/s1600/Ashy+fronted+Bulbul01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLlxaLkoa6SUnGQ59W7cjhDJ5n8Xljdh7CikUNhKjRahTLk4YGM4UuIa8_2xZvBHVi6gL0F0CdI4SzyUXJZr_UJhs3OuRcGQ8Q762BK_DDWds5V8z6CqgdVSS_b85-L3kUzAPNx4oZ-_0/s400/Ashy+fronted+Bulbul01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashy-fronted Bulbul</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj-q5IwHZJ9tAZhZs-0Qb5TFCwPlrh7aYHJh7FCH36tIyQjavoUWcHkNZnGyAtn0DhFbPm6xfX6vK1_N3Oi0OgutrPuNcBVN7-alLLoHzMS33qqkMD8Hk2X0-TeFAkQh2G9CAw4fa_G9w/s1600/Palawan+Flowerpecker02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj-q5IwHZJ9tAZhZs-0Qb5TFCwPlrh7aYHJh7FCH36tIyQjavoUWcHkNZnGyAtn0DhFbPm6xfX6vK1_N3Oi0OgutrPuNcBVN7-alLLoHzMS33qqkMD8Hk2X0-TeFAkQh2G9CAw4fa_G9w/s400/Palawan+Flowerpecker02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a handsome flowerpecker!!!</td></tr>
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After lunch, we continued our stakeout for the kings when a handsome Black-naped Monarch appeared in the trees in front of me. It was quite dark and the bird was very skittish so I just managed a couple of shots, both of which were terribly blurred 😢<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCVKhip2HoHJeZGFl2GayBXgtS2MWPlEGYpcQP2T_x4H0JN56o1dl-rXKDkYf8xokwDboMhc56WnS8kFd_uKKx28kszGq8CFyn36cycdksOmhKYYKZ_m1LVUFTIwLJtvdF7cLvgVCp927/s1600/Black+naped+Monarch01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCVKhip2HoHJeZGFl2GayBXgtS2MWPlEGYpcQP2T_x4H0JN56o1dl-rXKDkYf8xokwDboMhc56WnS8kFd_uKKx28kszGq8CFyn36cycdksOmhKYYKZ_m1LVUFTIwLJtvdF7cLvgVCp927/s400/Black+naped+Monarch01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This would've been a good shot 😢<br />
(I love the bird's bright blue legs though 😁)</td></tr>
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When the kingfishers didn't show, we decided to walk to the area where the Ruddy Kingfisher could be seen. Djop, Kuya Erwin, and Anthony went in deeper in the trail parallel to the creek and spotted the Ruddy Kingfisher but it flew off quickly. They did see a male and female Palawan Blue Flycatcher which would have been a lifer for me but, due to my usual laziness, I missed.</div>
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As we walked back to the hut, Kuya Erwin managed to spot the <span style="color: orange;"><b>Ruddy Kingfisher</b></span> perched partially hidden in a thick bamboo grove. It stayed quite long but it was getting dark already and its perch not so good for photographs.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqw5FoS3FjJhPRrMTjHsenDT90RB839zyje7WcQF13uhFd1wYkiGIah1j5udJeLtdqFCDS6ozMIoV_7q1OHMURdFZ4CZDernMHvYUmECtKPIRnfL-JKDZGLVK50yyxjhdPwibDAs9dR1v/s1600/Ruddy+Kingfisher01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqw5FoS3FjJhPRrMTjHsenDT90RB839zyje7WcQF13uhFd1wYkiGIah1j5udJeLtdqFCDS6ozMIoV_7q1OHMURdFZ4CZDernMHvYUmECtKPIRnfL-JKDZGLVK50yyxjhdPwibDAs9dR1v/s400/Ruddy+Kingfisher01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Kingfisher: King Number 2</td></tr>
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We walked back to the hut but stopped along the way when we were surrounded by the noisy calls of a group of <b>Northern Palawan Tree Squirrels</b>, locally called <i>bising</i>. We could see some of them on the tree trunks, busy flicking their tails as they called around us. </div>
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We arrived at the hut to find a male <span style="color: orange;"><b>Blue-eared Kingfisher </b></span>perched close to the water, hunting for food in the creek! To our delight, it was soon joined by a female!!! It was already 5PM and the sun was beginning to set when we saw the third king of Capayas. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6UBhdiASVEOGvvrMQfg6iRJJXXmV8CAj0ySCSXdoNjU24cZad-5GoI4WTm6RjrzwhehrL1DNzuU8tSTs0Ch6l46NhvEkh3JcGH5OdIpBDplygHFdJxXn8woN70fKJCMdH3dykpNv2X-z/s1600/Blue+eared+Kingfisher01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6UBhdiASVEOGvvrMQfg6iRJJXXmV8CAj0ySCSXdoNjU24cZad-5GoI4WTm6RjrzwhehrL1DNzuU8tSTs0Ch6l46NhvEkh3JcGH5OdIpBDplygHFdJxXn8woN70fKJCMdH3dykpNv2X-z/s400/Blue+eared+Kingfisher01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male (left) and female (right, with more red on the bill) <br />
Blue-eared Kingfishers.<br />
We got the 3 kings on our first day in Coron! Yay!</td></tr>
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The pair soon flew into the bamboo grove unseen and we started to pack up for the day. It was quite hard to believe that we had just arrived that same morning because we saw quite a lot of birds in just a small area and I got some unexpected lifers too! We boarded the van and headed back to Darayonan for a well-deserved rest and a pre-birthday dinner for the birthday boy 😊</div>
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To be continued...</div>
maiabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10102710645228180534noreply@blogger.com1