Just recently, the PALAWAN FLYCATCHER, a Philippine Endemic found only in Palawan, is turning out to be a birdstar like the Philippine Endemic Ashy Ground-Thrush of La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. Both species were previously very difficult to find and very seldom photographed. A year ago (two years ago for the ashy ground-thrush), the Palawan Flycatcher has just a handful of photos, most were documentations. But recently, with the discovery of its easily-navigable territories and habitats by WBPP Fellow Carlo Benitez Gomez, the Palawan Flycatcher now tops the list of target birds to be seen and photographed when one birds in Palawan.
The first territory that we visited a month ago involved an easy trek, but because there was a monsoon that developed into a depression, it was quite difficult to photograph it owing to the lack of light and the bird’s unwillingness to come out because of the rains. This time around when the sun was shinning so brightly, at the first territory that we visited, it came out easily but after circling us a couple of times, it hid itself in the forest.
The same occurred in a nearby territory when another WBPP Fellow Rocky Sison tried his luck while we were busy waiting endlessly for the lovely sunbird. The third area we visited requires some walk from the road and into the forest, quite easy though, and amidst the vines, the bird/s came out and circled us for quite some minutes until we were able to finally get some frames.
Carlo’s birding buddy Tibor is one great bird spotter who always points to us the place or direction whenever the bird flies and stops. He made us see through the blinds created by the vines, branches and leaves, and make sure we can have a good shot!
PALAWAN FLYCATCHER, Philippine and Palawan Endemic, at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, July 2013… 1/60, f/2.8, iso800, Spot Metering, Aperture Priority Mode EV-2/1… Canon EOS 7D + EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM + Kenko 2X Teleconverter + Benro GH-2 Gimbal Head and Tripod… Photography Technique: Natural History, no major changes were made in the photograph. 50% Crop (Enlarged by 100%).
For photographs of Philippine Wild Birds, please visit http://www.facebook.com/philippinebirds.
Alain Pascua
Alain Pascua began in 2009 his crusade as a wild bird photographer using photos of wild birds in their natural habitats as tools for education and conservation. He is one of the founding-administrators of the "Wild Birds of the Philippine" Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/philippinebirds) where he and fellow bird photographers share their photos and galleries of Philippine wild birds to the internet world. He co-founded the Philippine Bird Photography Workshops and Tours (https://www.facebook.com/wildbirdphotog.ph) in 2011, and the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wbpp.admin/) in 2012. Alain Pascua’s photos of wild birds have graced the 2010 year-end advocacy ads and 2011 calendar materials of TeaM Energy, the 2011 calendar of Philippine Eagle Foundation and its 2011 advocacy posters and ads at Mindanews' Our Mindanao Magazine, the 2012 Peatlands in Southeast Asia advocacy poster of Global Environment Centre, and the newly published book Owls of the World A Photographic Guide by Heimo Mikkola. Alain Pascua won second place in the 1st Bird as Art International Bird Photography Competition organized by Art Morris in the Captive Birds Category. His galleries may be viewed online at the following sites: http://www.alainpascua.smugmug.com http://www.facebook.com/alainpascuaphotography http://www.facebook.com/philippinebirds
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