Violet and Grey

I went to La Mesa Ecopark last November 3rd hoping to see four birds which were seen and photographed there in the previous two weeks. These were the female Violet Cuckoo, a Grey-faced Buzzard,  the Oriental Honey Buzzard and a Black Bittern. While staking out the Cuckoo, I learned that the day before, Anthony Balbin, LMEP's resident birder was able to photograph the male Violet Cuckoo also within the park.  Unfortunately, I didn't see any of these birds that day. Zilch! 

To my chagrin, two other bird photographers, Nes Santiago and Virgilio Gales posted photos of the male Violet Cuckoo, a Rusty-breasted Cuckoo and the Grey-faced Buzzard - all taken at LMEP that very same day.  

Maia Tanedo, another  birder friend went to LMEP on November 4th and along with Nes Santiago, was also able to see and photograph the two Cuckoos.

I finally got a chance to go back to LMEP on the morning of November 6th. I dropped my son Leon at his school in Katipunan and was at the Ecopark by 7:25am. And discovered that I failed to bring my tripod. Wonderful.  

After getting out of the car, I made a quick pass at the spillway to see if there are any signs of the buzzard.  But there was no activity except for some Yellow-vented Bulbuls so I proceeded to the spot of the male Violet Cuckoo.  As soon as I got to the pond area, I saw the Common Kingfisher on the now familiar bamboo perch.  I took a few shots, handheld while leaning on a palm tree. Looking at my shots through the LCD screen, I again cursed myself for forgetting my tripod. Grrr...

I looked up at the Balete tree and saw a Zebra Dove way up and a few Yellow-vented Bulbuls darting about. Then my eyes landed on a darkish bird about a foot from the dove.  Male Violet Cuckoo! Aim, shoot, bird moves to another branch, shoot some more, bird moves again, partially hidden.  Alas all my shots were backlit and the bird is one dark silhouette.  The next few minutes was spent trying to shoot through a small gap in the leaves, handheld, and straining my neck in the process.  None of my shots are tack sharp since all were handheld and I do not have the steady hands of Anthony Balbin and Jonet Carpio.

Here are some of the better photos of the male Violet Cuckoo:

Violet Cuckoo,lifer # 40 for the year, #233 overall.

The rich violet plumage of this bird is so pretty, I wish I had a closer photo (with a tripod!). But nevertheless, I am happy with the docu shots that I got.

By 8:30am, the Violet was gone so I decided to go back to the spillway to look for the Grey-faced Buzzard.  I gave myself until 10:30am. 

But the spillway was quiet aside from the Bulbuls, Brown Shrikes and some Black-naped Orioles.  I borrowed the mono-bloc chair of the guard and sat down but continued to scan the trees for the raptor but nada.  After a while I decided to walk to the tree where the female Violet Cuckoo was previously spotted.  There I met fellow birder Conrad Olayres who was also looking for the same birds. After about an hour and a half, we saw it circling in the air but on the other side of the line of trees &%#@. 

I was about to leave, (it was 10:28 in my watch) when I decided to scan the trees once more with my bins. I saw some movement on a relatively low branch and blurted it to Conrad.  Aimed my camera and pressed the shutter.  Grey-faced Buzzard.  

Sharing a couple of not so sharp photos of the Grey-faced Buzzard.  

Grey-faced Buzzard, lifer #41 for the year; #234th overall.

It was already time for me to go (I had to drive for my mother and then accompany Lorna, my wife to Kawit), so I bade Conrad good bye and walked to my car and said a silent prayer of thanks to our Lord and my guardian angel for my two lifers.

 

Birding at the Boulevard - 2015 edition

Going home to Coron on a short trip, with a four-day training to oversee meant very little time to bird.  However, I was not to be denied.  On the afternoon of my third day, I went to the area that we Coronians call the Boulevard.  Actually it is a reclaimed area that was meant to have a seaside boulevard. A project of our former governor.  In 2012, Manila based birders Bob and Cynthia Kaufman, was able to photograph several species of waterbirds in the area.  At that time, the place was empty.  In 2013 and 2014, I was able to see and photograph several lifers.  Although due to the increasing human presence (the public market was transferred at this site sometime in 2014), there were less birds in 2014 as compared to the two previous years.  So I didn't expect much this year.  On my first foray into the area, I saw a couple of Asian Golden Plovers near a puddle, plus a few other smaller birds. But the big flock of terns that was present in the past three years was nowhere to be seen. I also saw fellow bird photographer Al Linsangan III trying out  his drone.  I stopped by to chat with him for a while before going back to Darayonan to get my gear.

After getting my camera, I decided to go to Villa Khadine but after a few minutes of not seeing anything except a couple of Bulbuls and Starlings, I decided to go back to the reclaimed area.  There were still not many birds but there were about eight terns perched on the zipline cables.  I walked near the puddle, leaned on a lamp post and aimed at the Asian Golden Plovers. There were two of them on the far side of the puddle and one nearer to me.  As soon as my camera focused on the nearer one, I noticed it was a larger bird and not an Asian Golden Plover. I was not sure what it was although the size was similar to a Wood Sandpiper and a Common Greenshank.   Since it was only about five to six meters away, I took lots of shots.  It was only later when I asked for the bird to be identified by experts that I found out that this was a Ruff (the female is called a Reeve).  I once saw this bird from afar (through a scope), in Candaba. But it was so far that even looking through a scope, it was not that easy to distinguish the features. 

Ruff

Ruff

After several bursts, I took a couple of photos of the Asian Golden Plover, an immature Yellow Wagtail and a Kentish Plover. 

Asian Golden Plover

Yellow Wagtail (imm)

Kentish Plover

Then I took several more photos of the Ruff...

Ruff

Not finding any other birds, I climbed on the van and was about to leave when a group of whitish birds landed on the ground and was making some noise.  White Wagtails!  There were seven or eight of them and another four to five Yellow Wagtails making noise and darting about.  I encountered a similar flock on November 28, 2014 but it was already dusk so all my photos then were poorly exposed.  The light today was a better but it was still a challenge because these birds are so active. 

White Wagtail

White Wagtail, immature

Then I saw a bird standing motionless on top of a mound.  I ignored thinking that it was one of the Yellow Wagtails.  When the White Wagtails flew away, I snapped several shots and realized that this was not a Wagtail.  I have posted this photo in facebook and have asked for identification from the experts.  According to Desmond Allen, a renowned Ornithologist, this is definitely a Pipit but he is not sure if it is a Paddyfield or Richard's Pipit.  My friend Bob Kaufman has ID'ed it as a Paddyfield. But I am asking how come it is shorter and fatter than the Paddyfield Pipit that I normally see at YKR. 

A Pipit - either Paddyfield of Richard's

The White Wagtails came back and I was able to get a closer photo.

White Wagtail

I wanted to go back the following morning to get more shots of the unidentified Pipit but I was not able to (at this point, I still didn't know that I photographed a Ruff). Neither was I able to that afternoon as we had a staff meeting.  But the following morning, which was my last for the trip, I made a short trip to the boulevard.  By this time I already knew about the Ruff so I was hoping to see more of it.

The first bird I saw was a Scaly-breasted Munia taking a bath.

Scaly-breasted Munia sunning itself after a dip in the puddle

Then a group of noisy Eurasian Tree Sparrows dove into the puddle.

Group bath, ETS style

And the Asian Golden Plover followed took its turn.

Asian Golden Plover freshening up

Asian Golden Plover

I saw some birds perched on the zipline cables so I made my way to the water's edge and snapped a few photos.

Barn Swallows

Barn Swallow about to take-off

Before leaving, I made a couple of turns around the area and saw a Paddyfield Pipit on one of the mounds.  This is the Paddyfield Pipit that I am used to seeing. 

Paddyfield Pipit

I also managed a few pictures of the few terns.  I am assuming that this is a Whiskered Tern.

Whiskered Tern

On my last go around, I saw one bird that was different from Paddyfield Pipits scurrying about in the ground.  I noticed that it was slightly larger. At the time I took the photo, I thought it was an Oriental Skylark but Desmond Allen later identified it as a Ruby-throated Pipit on its first winter. According to the Kennedy Guide, it is generally rare. And of course it is a lifer for me.  My 39th for the year and 232nd overall. 

Ruby-throated Pipit on its first winter (per Desmond Allen)

I ended my birding trip on that positive note. 

This was my eighth (8th) lifer in this reclaimed area. Perhaps my last because according to the scuttlebut, the provincial government is looking for investors to develop said area.

Sa Tamang Panahon...

It has been awhile since I wrote anything on my blog.  Due to pressures of work and my CATE duties (in August) and my mom's medical condition (September and October), finding time to bird proved quite difficult.  And even during the rare times that I had the time, I didn't feel like birding because my mind was focused on other matters.  Last October 11-17, I had to accompany a group of foreign birders who booked a bird tour with My Blue Backpack (our tour company).  The tour included stops at La Mesa Ecopark, Bohol, and Puerto Princessa.  However, I am not going to write about that trip today. Today, I would like to write about an unplanned birding trip last Saturday, October 24, at La Mesa Ecopark.

I went to LMEP not to bird but to attend Rey Sta. Ana's Bird Photography Workshop. I had previously attended Sir Rey's seminar (actually twice already), so this was more like a refresher and also as support to him and to bird guide Anthony Balbin, (who was also going to speak about birding at La Mesa).  Sometime after lunch, when the workshop attendees were already doing the practical part (shooting practice shots), Ven Rojas and I decided to go and photograph the Common Kingfisher.  

When we reached the spot, we found a bird photographer waiting. He was Mr. Nes Santiago, whom we both met for the first time.  After the introductions, Nes informed us that the bird showed up for a while and he showed us his beautiful shots.  Being a gentleman birder, Nes, gave up his spot so we can also stake out the bird.  He went to the other spot where another birder, Sean Melendres was also waiting.  Ven and I set up our tripods and began to wait.  For me, this was my first time to use Live-view and cable release so I pointed my camera on the perch where the bird was expected to land and took a few practice shots.

We settled down to wait.  Ven's spot enabled him to sit but I had to keep standing.  Soon, we both had our phones out, checking messages, facebooking and playing games.  Sean Melendres arrived and left.  Then Ven went to the spot where Sean was waiting.  I stayed put.  Some minutes passed, while looking at my phone, I heard Ven quietly say, "Chin, ayan na siya".  I looked at the perched and true enough our target bird landed and before I could even press the shutter, it flew away, perched on a nearby branch with poor lighting and left again. And we waited again...

After one hour and twenty minutes, both Ven and I gave up.  He went to the mini forest to look for Spotty and the IBKF while I went back to the seminar venue so I could sit down and drink some water.  Soon the seminar was winding down.  I decided to go back one more time. I found Ven back in his spot.  It was almost five o'clock and we were losing hope.  Ven said ten more minutes... then he stood up said he will check the other spot. As soon as he stood up, the target bird, flew across headed towards Ven's direction.  I decided to stay and said to myself, I will stay until 5:10pm (it was already 5:00pm).  And of course I began to pray and ask the Lord to make the bird come and give me even just a minute so I can fire a few shots.  I cannot recall how many Our Father's and Hail Mary's I've prayed when suddenly our target bird was there. And I just pressed the cable shutter release.  The time was 5:03pm. 

Common Kingfisher

The bird stayed for less than a minute giving me twenty-one shots in two poses - all using live-view and cable release.  (I think I will start using this as much as I can from now on. hahaha).  

This bird is not a lifer for me but I have never gotten a really good shot and have long wanted one. I didn't really expect to get one yesterday.  As Lola Nidora (of Aldub fame), is fond of saying, "sa tamang panahon...".

Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to shoot this bird. 

Crown Jewels

Because of their colorful plumage, Pittas are often called "Jewels of the Forest". And if they are to be considered as such, then the Whiskered Pitta, (Erythropitta kochi), should be the Crown Jewel.

But wait, what are Pittas? Just to be clear, the Pittas that I am talking about are birds, not the bread that comes with Shawarma.

According to wikipedia, "Pittas are a family, Pittidae, of passerine birds mainly found in tropical Asia and Australasia, although a couple of species live in Africa.... The name is derived from the word pitta in the Telugu language of Andhra Pradesh in India and is a generic local name used for all small birds. Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, at 15 to 25 cm (5.9–9.8 in) in length, and stocky, with strong, longish legs and long feet. They have very short tails and stout, slightly decurved bills. Many, but not all, have brightly coloured plumage." (source: wikipedia).

In the Philippines, according to the Kennedy Guide (the reference that we birders use), there are five (5) species of Pittas, namely, Hooded Pitta, Red-bellied Pitta, Blue-winged Pitta, Steere's Pitta and the aforementioned Whiskered Pitta.

The Whiskered Pitta, is the largest Pitta in the Philippines. It is endemic to Luzon and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Its recorded habitat are mountainous areas such as the Cordilleras, the Sierra Madre and certain parts of the Bicol region. Bangkong Kahoy in Mt. Banahaw, is one of the few places where this bird has been seen in previous years. But because the trail to the site is difficult, not many birders have seen this bird. Until February this year (2015), when, through the efforts of bird photographer Ramon Quisumbing and his bird guide, Cris Ceriban, a new site was found. Still it was not a walk in the park because it involved climbing on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw.

Access to the site was controlled to three to four birders at a time in order not to spook the bird. Hence there is a queue. I finally got my chance last Tuesday, July 14. Luis, my seventeen-year-old son was also going with me. We met up with Capt. Floyd Bermejo, a fellow bird photographer at a gas station along slex. We arrived at BK a little after six (6)AM and started our trek/climb before seven (7) AM.

When one is almost fifty, overweight and unfit, one has no choice but take it easy and go slow with lots of rest stops. Before long all others in the party left me and my porter behind. Somewhere along the trail, while I was gasping for breath, I was mentally asking myself why do I do this - leave my warm bed at 2:30AM, drive 75 kms and climb double (triple?) the distance of Mt. Tapyas (in Coron). Was it really worth it?

It took me over an hour before I reached the Pitta site. All others were already positioned in their hides and shooting when I got there. I went to my designated spot, sat down(thigh and leg muscles shaking), fumbled with my gear and started pressing the shutter. What followed was a photo session with the Crown Jewel.

Sharing some of the images that I was able to create.

After about two hours, we stared our descent. Going down a mountain, I always have this irrational fear that I would slip and injure myself so even going I pick my way slowly.  My back was sore, I was drenched in sweat and my tired legs were shaky but I was glad that I left my comfy bed at 2:30am, drove 75 kms in the dark, and trekked up the slopes of Mt. Banahaw. Seeing this beautiful bird was definitely worth it!

Villa Khadine...the cradle of Birdwatch Coron...

If Darayonan Lodge is considered as the birthplace of Birdwatch Coron, then Villa Khadine is the cradle because for most of us, that is where we had our first taste of real birding. Villa Khadine is short for Villa Khadine Grand Vista Lodge (whew!), a resort owned by Ms. Gigi Velasquez, a grade school classmate and more importantly, a friend of mine. It is located in Sitio Jolo, Bgy. Poblacion 5, in Coron. Back when we were kids, Jolo was a place that was unknown to many Coronians because there was no road going there.  There was a steep road going down to the municipal cemetery, a place called Dinagpan.  But beyond the "sementeryo" was a hilly forested area. Today, Jolo is home to three posh resorts, all of them owned by non-Coronian investors, (two or three more are being built). At the moment, Villa Khadine stands as the lone resort in Jolo owned by a "native" Coronian. So perhaps it is but fitting that it played a big role in the establishment of Coron's first (and so far, only), birding club.

Lacking the fame of nearby Capayas, (where the "Three Kings" hold court), Villa Khadine is nevertheless a good birding site.  As a whole Jolo and the adjacent Dipulao river area, are decent birding sites, especially for beginners. On a personal note,I've had eleven (11), lifers in the area, ten (10) of them within the Villa Khadine compound. 

The following photos are some of the birds that I have photographed at Villa Khadine over the past three years.

My first target bird as a birder was the Black Hooded Pitta. During the birding training in August 2012, Den Wakefield, one of my birder friends from Puerto Princessa, got several close captures of VKGV's Hooded Pitta (using an ordinary 70-300 lens!).  However the bird eluded me in the following months. It was not until April 28, 2013, that I was able to photograph this bird (at the Kayangan Lake Trail). This particular shot below was taken at Villa Khadine while we were preparing for the Mutya ng Coron 2013. It is one of my favorite Pitta shots. One afternoon, to get some respite from the stress, I sneaked out to do some birding and I was rewarded.

Black-hooded Pitta or just Hooded Pitta.  "Wawa" in Cuyonon.  August 23, 2013.

Last December 2014, I decided to sleep at Villa Khadine for one night (after the CATE Christmas party).  Early the following morning I did some birding before going to the airport for my flight  back to Manila. I was mildly disappointed because all I saw were common birds.  I already was on the way back to my cottage when this bird perched on a tree beside the path. 

Spot-throated Flameback. Called "Karpentero" in some areas in Coron. December 22, 2014.

Last February, I had Prof. Reuel Aguila and his son Pio, as guests on a four day birding tour. After two and a half days at Capayas Creek, the Aguilas had seen/photographed all the target birds except for the Blue-eared Kingfisher. So on the afternoon of Day 3, we gave up on the third king and went to YKR to search for the Palawan Hornbills, but we were not successful. On the way back to town, we decided to pass by Villa Khadine before going back to Darayoan. Within minutes of entering, this Grey-streaked Flycatcher welcomed us by posing for some time.

Grey-streaked Flycatcher, "Tuldikan" in Cuyonon.  February 1, 2015.

Villa Khadine is also home to common birds such as the Asian Glossy Starling, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Olive-backed Sunbird, Crow, Bulbuls and Munias.

Asian Glossy Starling (immature).  "Losyang" in Pilipino.   Photo taken February 1, 2015.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow, commonly known as the Maya (although it is not the real Maya). 

Photo taken February 2, 2015.

While we were photographing the Starlings and Olive-backed Sunbirds, Erwin Edonga, our bird-guide blurted out, "Ibang klaseng Chiwit dan!"  (It's a different kind of Sunbird!). We debated about it but since the light was already poor, none of our shots was good enough to see the details and settle the debate. Early the following morning, the Aquilas and I, with Erwin, trooped back to Villa Khadine with the hope that we will be able to photograph this new Sunbird. Before long, we were rewarded. 

Brown-throated Sunbird. My first lifer for 2015.  February 2, 2015.

So far Villa Khadine is the only place in Coron where I have seen this bird and I have not seen it again since that day withe the Aguilas. We saw both male and female so hopefully, they will multiply and grow in numbers.

One of the usual suspects at Villa Khadine is the Ashy Drongo. It is a plain colored bird with orange eyes but there is a certain elegance to this bird.  It's unique feature is a tail that looks like a fish tail.

Ashy Drongo, "Salang-ikog" in Cuyonon. Photo taken February 2, 2015.

Another photo of the male Brown-throated Sunbird

Pigeons and doves are always a joy to photograph. Aside from being relatively large in size (making them easier to spot), they are usually colorful and pretty. One of my lifers at VKGV is the Pink-necked Pigeon.

Pink-necked Pigeon (male). One of two green doves called "Punay" in Cuyonon.  February 8, 2015.

Sometime in early June of this year, I texted Gigi and asked if the Hooded Pitta had already made an appearance at her place.  When she replied yes, I made it a point to go to VKGV that same afternoon.  While going to the area where the Pitta usually appears, I detected movement in the ground and almost lost hold of my backpack when I saw that it was a Barred Button Quail.  I had previously seen this bird last September 2014 in Jolo (but outside VKGV).  I staked out said area for three straight mornings and saw the bird each time but was never able to get a good photo. And here it was walking around and not minding me. 

Barred Button Quail, "Umbok" in Cuyonon.  June 6, 2016.

The Umbok is a very difficult bird to shoot because they are very skittish.  When I was a kid growing up in Dipulao, our houseboy taught me how to set up a snare for the Umbok (patawad po). During the same afternoon, I also saw another adult with three chicks trailing it but they never came close enough for a good shot.

A blurry docu shot of an adult Barred Button Quail with three chicks. June 6, 2015. 

I wanted to get better pictures but I did not make any attempt to try to get closer to these birds because of the presence to the young.  I just waited for them to come close to where I was but unfortunately, they never did.

While waiting for the Pitta and also keeping an eye on the Quail, I heard a Coucal making a call.  After a few minutes, I saw movement and something blackish. Then it showed itself but as it was continuously moving, I could not get a clear shot. I carefully followed it's movements until it went up a bare branch of a nearby tree. It was against the sun so I had to make may way around to get better light. Fortunately, it stayed long enough.

Lesser Coucal, "Kolokok" in Cuyonon.  Photo taken June 6, 2015.

Right after the Coucal showed itself, I saw movement somewhere on my right.  I turned, saw a black bird, fired a few shots at it and went back to stalking the Coucal.

White-vented Shama, "Saya-saya" in Cuyonon. Photo taken June 6, 2015.

I was not happy with my Pitta shots on June 6th so the following afternoon, I went back to VKGV.  I still was not able to get my desired shots of the Pitta but another bird posed for me several times.

Pied Triller. Photo taken June 7, 2015

While waiting for the Pitta, I decided to walk around VKGV. I saw a green bird fly by and land on the ground on the main path. Common Emerald Dove! I got excited because it was one of my favorite birds and I did not have a great full body shot taken in Coron. But before I could even aim, it flew again. Walking forward, I espied three of them walking on the ground, too far for a good shot.  I patiently inched my way to them, hiding behind the trees and the resort's cottages.  After about half an hour, (and climbing up and down VKGV's slopes), my efforts paid off.  I was crouched beside one of Villa Khadine's many cottages when it flew across me and perched on an open branch, I slowly rose planted my left elbow on a window ledge and fired away. 

Common Emerald Dove, "Mamatad" in Cuyonon. Photo taken June 7, 2015

I was still not able to get the Pitta that day but my photos of the Mamatad more than made up for it.  

I went back the following day (June 8) but the Pitta was a no show. I was back again the following morning (June 9). Upon reaching the area behind VKGV's honeymoon cottage, (it was unoccupied,otherwise I would not have stayed there), the Asian Glossy Starlings, Ashy-fronted Bulbuls and a lone Pied Triller were flying around. A couple of sunbirds were also darting about in one bush.

A female Sunbird.  Presumably, it is an Olive-backed Sunbird.

After waiting about half an hour for the still absent Pitta, I decided to walk to the other side of the resort where there was a small hill with lots of trees. This was the area where I previously photographed this bird. As I approached, I heard and then saw several shamas. Then my eyes centered on a Malkoha.  It was about thirty five meters away but I froze for fear of spooking it.  I fired a couple of insurance shots but there were so many branches and twigs crisscrossing that there was no clear shot.  Slowly , I transferred position. Then the bird flew to another tree and luckily, I was able to get a decent shot. 

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, "Manok-manok" in Cuyonon.  Not an endemic bird but in the Philippines, it can only be seen in the Palawan faunal region.  Photo taken June 9, 2015.

Before leaving, I went back to the area at the back of the honeymoon cottage and the Pied Triller was still putting on a show.  So I obliged.

Pied Triller. June 9, 2015

That evening, CATE's regular monthly Board Meeting was going to be held at Villa Khadine. Knowing that I will have a full day on June 10th and leaving on June 11th, I decided to go to VKGV around four (4)in the afternoon and try for the Pitta one last time.

Upon reaching my usual spot, the Shama appeared. With such a great bokeh, what am I to do except shoot. 

White-vented Shama. June 9, 2015

The CATE meeting was scheduled for 6:00pm so at 5:30, I started to make my way back to the main cottage when I hear the unmistakable call of the Hooded Pitta.  It was coming from the other  side of the resort. I dropped by backpack at one of the picnic tables and walked to where the call was emanating.  I had not gone twenty (20)meters when I saw it on the ground, pecking away. I stopped, set down my tripod and fumbled to aim but before I could get set, it moved and kept moving.  Needing to be more mobile, I decided to leave my tripod and just shoot handheld (although the light was fading fast). The Pitta kept hopping about and I kept shooting whenever it stopped but all my shots were either blurry (not the pleasing kind) or it was facing away. It went up a fallen tree and stayed for a couple of seconds but never facing me. Then it moved to the bushes on the small hill (where I photographed the Malkoha that morning). And I thought, that was it. Another failed opportunity. Needless to say, I was disappointed.  I was standing near the resort's cistern, and was about to trudge back when I saw the Pitta hopping down the slope of the small hill.  

Then it perched on a short stump.

Hooded Pitta. June 9, 2015. 

After a few seconds, it left the stump and hopped and skipped in the ground and stopped on top of a rock and looked directly as me as if to say "siguro naman makukunan mo na ako nito".

Hooded Pitta, posing for me...

A few more seconds it stopped again for another pose before it disappeared from my view.  

  

One of my last shots of the Pitta last June 9, 2015.

I decided to end my birding on that positive note. 

Villa Khadine, still one of the better birding places in Coron.