Candaba, January 2010

First real birding sortie of the year and it was great! Not only was I able to capture some birds for the first time, I was also able to meet with a lot of other bird photographers that I admire.

We started off relatively late this time. We were there before 7am. This is okay since during the winter solstice, the sun doesn't really shine until "late" morning.

First bird I got was a roadside Striated Grassbird

Not really a new bird as I already have a lot of pictures of this but this one is unique for me as this is a full frame capture :)

Then off to the wetlands we forged on!!! On the hunt for the Philippine Duck (Anas Luzonica). As I have been birding for only a year, I still don't have a nice picture of this species. I was really hoping to get a good one.

The ducks weren't flying and pretty far when we got there. But I was able to spot and photograph a first timer for me.. a Purple Swamphen



it's not everyday that I see a purple bird :)

Then the Common Moorhen showed itself to me and I took some quick snaps of it swimming along the banks at the other side

Then.. the ducks started flying and I was snapping away in delight!!!

they are sooo lovely. Looking like they are smiling

Then my D90 gave me a few shots that are considered more difficult than these. Birds flying with a busy background..

There were also some first time ducks like these Garganeys



and Northern Pintails

There were also several Green-winged Teals



Then I moved forward for lunch and was blessed with these captures of a female Pied bushchat



and a nest of baby Zebra Doves


then the day was topped off by a lifer.. a picture of a flying White-breasted Waterhen

I was shooting so many birds in flight that I finally had the courage to take a picture of one of the faster birds.. the Swallow..