Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM


Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopectus) by alabang, on Flickr

The Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopectus) is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it is a generally uncommon but locally common resident of the northern and central islands. There are two subspecies, the nominate race, which occurs on Luzon, Polillo, Mindoro, Sibuyan and Ticao, and A. c. nigriostris, which is found in Panay, Negros and Cebu. It forms a superspecies with the Silvery Kingfisher of the southern Philippines.[1]
The Indigo-banded Kingfisher feeds on fish and aquatic insects. It perches on rocks and overhanging branches and foliage and dives steeply into the water to catch its prey. Once caught, it returns the prey to the perch where it is beaten and swallowed. Little is known about its breeding behaviour, although it is known to nest in tunnels dug into the banks of streams and rivers.[1]
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo-banded_Kingfisher

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mesa_Ecopark

Settings: 1/30 ƒ/4 ISO 640 500mm
 
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Female Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) by alabang, on Flickr

The Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) is a small passerine bird found ranging from West and Central Asia to South and Southeast Asia. About sixteen subspecies are recognized through its wide range with many island forms. It is a familiar bird of countryside and open scrub or grassland where it is found perched at the top of short thorn trees or other shrubs, looking out for insect prey. They pick up insects mainly from the ground, and were, like other chats, placed in the thrush family Turdidae, but are now considered as Old World flycatchers.

They nest in cavities in stone walls or in holes in an embankment, lining the nest with grass and animal hair. The males are black with white shoulder and vent patches whose extent varies among populations. Females are predominantly brownish while juveniles are speckled.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_Bush_Chat

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candaba,_Pampanga

Settings: 1/500 ƒ/5.6 ISO 160 500mm

Notes: Framed as is, no crop & handheld
 
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Here are a few I took at an airshow last year.

6ifl8h.jpg


b7anhz.jpg
 
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Nice airshow.


Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis rufigastra) by alabang, on Flickr

The Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis rufigastra) is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove_Blue_Flycatcher

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mesa_Ecopark

Best viewed on Retina Display: http://500px.com/photo/68510011/mangrove-blue-flycatcher-%28cyornis-rufigastra%29-by-paolo-dolina
 
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Male Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) by alabang, on Flickr

The Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and east through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, to northern and eastern Australia. The dove is also known by the names of Green Dove and Green-winged pigeon. The Common Emerald Dove is the state bird of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

It has a number of subspecies, with three existing in Australia, longirostris from the Kimberly, Western Australia to Cape York Peninsula, chrysochlora from Cape York Peninsula to southern New South Wales as well as Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, and natalis from Christmas Island.

This is a common species in rainforest and similar dense wet woodlands, farms, gardens, mangroves and coastal heaths. It builds a scant stick nest in a tree up to five metres and lays two cream-coloured eggs. Breeding tends to occur in Australia spring or early summer in southeastern Australia and late in the dry season in northern Australia.

Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. It often flies low between the patches of dense forest it prefers, but when disturbed will frequently walk away rather than fly. They are particularly good weavers when flying through forests. When flying they expose a buff underwing and a chestnut colour of their flight feathers.

The Common Emerald Dove is a stocky, medium-sized pigeon, typically 23 to 28 centimetres (10 to 11.2 inches) in length. The back and wings are bright emerald green. The flight feathers and tail are blackish, and broad black and white bars show on the lower back in flight. The head and underparts are dark vinous pink (in chrysochlora, more brown in longirostris), fading to greyish on the lower belly. The eyes are dark brown, the bill bright red and legs and feet rufous.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Emerald_Dove

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mesa_Ecopark

Best viewed on a Retina Display: http://500px.com/photo/68583595/male-common-emerald-dove-%28chalcophaps-indica%29-by-paolo-dolina
 
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Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica) by alabang, on Flickr

The Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica) is a large dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is endemic to the Philippines. As few as 5,000 may remain. Overhunting and habitat loss has contributed to its decline.

It has a black crown, nape and eye stripe, with a cinnamon head and neck. Rest of body is greyish brown with a bright green speculum. Its legs are greyish brown, and its bill is blue grey.

It eats shrimp, fish, insects, and vegetation, and it frequents all types of wetlands.

Philippine Birds

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Duck

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candaba,_Pampanga

Settings: 1/2000 f/4 500mm ISO 320
 
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Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) by alabang, on Flickr

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kilograms (10.4 to 17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length, with the Steller's Sea Eagle and the Harpy Eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk.[2][3] Among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, it has been declared the Philippine national bird.[4] It is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_eagle

Location: http://www.philippineeagle.org/

Settings: 1/160 f/8 500mm ISO 3200

Note: This is a captive animal being cared for by a duly legal organisation tasked in its conservation. Pls do not picket me.
 
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Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica) by alabang, on Flickr

The Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica) is a large dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is endemic to the Philippines. As few as 5,000 may remain. Overhunting and habitat loss has contributed to its decline.

It has a black crown, nape and eye stripe, with a cinnamon head and neck. Rest of body is greyish brown with a bright green speculum. Its legs are greyish brown, and its bill is blue grey.

It eats shrimp, fish, insects, and vegetation, and it frequents all types of wetlands.

Philippine Birds

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Duck

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candaba,_Pampanga
 
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dolina said:

Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) by alabang, on Flickr

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kilograms (10.4 to 17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length, with the Steller's Sea Eagle and the Harpy Eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk.[2][3] Among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, it has been declared the Philippine national bird.[4] It is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_eagle

Location: http://www.philippineeagle.org/

Settings: 1/160 f/8 500mm ISO 3200

Note: This is a captive animal being cared for by a duly legal organisation tasked in its conservation. Pls do not picket me.

That's a beautiful portrait of a very fascinating and formidable bird.
 
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Wow! Thanks! :)

candc said:
dolina said:

Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) by alabang, on Flickr

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kilograms (10.4 to 17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length, with the Steller's Sea Eagle and the Harpy Eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk.[2][3] Among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, it has been declared the Philippine national bird.[4] It is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_eagle

Location: http://www.philippineeagle.org/

Settings: 1/160 f/8 500mm ISO 3200

Note: This is a captive animal being cared for by a duly legal organisation tasked in its conservation. Pls do not picket me.

That's a beautiful portrait of a very fascinating and formidable bird.
 
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