Chasing Lifers: Sana Owl

Owls are always a popular subject - maybe because they are different, or have mystic powers, or maybe it is simply because they are beautiful creatures.  Whatever the reason, photos of owls almost always catch my attention.  So when Bo Apostol posted a photo of an Eastern Grass Owl, it caught my eye and I made a mental note to try and shoot this bird if circumstances allow.  My opportunity came last Saturday, May 29.  This was going to be my first post-covid birding sortie so it that made it more significant.  As per my usual routine, I prepared my gear,; (including the clothes that I will wear), the night before.  I woke up at the required time, showered, shaved, dressed up, and left the house at 4:00am.  And to complete the ritual, I had the music of Queen on as I made my early morning drive.  According to Waze, my ETA at Bo's village would be at 5am.  Seeing a McDonald's along the Aguinaldo Highway, I decided to pass by and get breakfast for the four of us - Bo, Joel Dayao and Lex Mimpin.  Murphy's Law struck because McDo took such a long time - first the drawer of the cash register on the drive thru cashier wouldn't open.  The guy kept trying to open it while at the same time talking to other customers on his headset.  In any case the whole thing caused a 15-minute delay which was crucial because I had to be in place by 5:15am (as instructed by Bo). I finally arrived at 5:30ish.  Bo and Joel were already there waiting.  I quickly got my gear and they told me the usual behaviour and flight path of our target bird. (ang layo ng shooting distance!)  I also learned that it was Joel's 5th trip already (yep, bird photogs are a greedy lot! 😁😁😁). 

At approximately 6:40am, Bo excitedly said, "nandyan na siya!" and from afar we could see the owl flying around in the tall talahib grass.  Soon it way flying towards us.  And I was firing as fast as my camera's shutter would allow.  The bird then landed on the grass and we could see that it was moving a bit, probably eating something.  A few seconds later, it flew again towards another direction. My companions said, to be alert because it will fly back.  Meanwhile we were frantically reviewing our shots.  Then Bo alerted us that the bird was on its flight back but unfortunately it stayed on the far side of the open field.  Sharing some of the images that I was able to create:

Eastern Grass Owl, Tyto longimembris, Lifer # 5 for 2021, # 455 overall

I realize that these shots are probably bordering on the "docu" variety and are not frameable but considering the shooting conditions and that it is a lifer, I will take it!  Thank you Bo for this lifer.

Before we left the area, another bird showed up. 

Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis

We left the area around 7:30am. Joel went home while I decided to head over to Kawit for my second target of the day, the Oriental Pratincole that Romz Lopez was able to photograph near his home. Having seen this bird at Candaba in 2018 so while it is not a lifer, I did not have good photos yet. I reached the site in about forty-five minutes and true enough the birds were there and the kept flying about.  They would perch on the ground but quite far so I just concentrated on getting BIF's.  Romz joined me for a few minutes but had to leave soon as he had domestic duties (birders are such good husbands 😄).  Here are some of my shots:

Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum

While shooting the Pratincoles, two Black-crowned Night Herons did a quick fly-by.

Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nyticorax

When I reached home, Lorna's first question was "Did you get it?" Later, as I was viewing my photos on my laptop, I was ruing the fact that the birds did not really come as near as I would have preferred. I showed Lorna some of the better photos and she said, "so go back tomorrow and Monday..."  Well.... since I got the green light, who am I to refuse... 

I messaged Bo and asked if I could visit his playground again and he graciously said yes, and told me that Joel will also be there along with Lex Mimpin and Doc Lilet.

The Second Sortie

I was at the site a little earlier, Joel arrived a few minutes later followed by Bo who was with Lex and Dr Lilet.  Introductions were made, hi's and hello's and by 6:45ish, like clockwork, the bird appeared.  It generally followed the same path but was a little nearer and it flew in our direction a couple of times (still a bit far though 😟).  Here are three of my photos: 

Eastern Grass Owl

Still pining for a closer shooting distance and more opportunities with this bird.  But I will take these for now. After the Owl, we all proceeded to Kawit where we met up with Romz and had fun shooting the Pratincoles. It certainly feels good to be able to bird again.  Hoping for an end to this pandemic so that we can all move freely and safely soon...