Kalaw Craze

True to the saying that bird photographers are a greedy lot (because they always want something more and better), I was not that happy with my shots last February 18 and wanted to go back. A new site discovered on February 19, that allowed closer captures, made the urge almost unbearable.  Fortunately, I have a loving and understanding wife who puts up with my addiction. So on Feb 21, I headed back to Infanta for another shot at the Kalaws.  

I was to meet up with Ven Rojas and Camote, the local guide, at 6:30am at the latter's house.  But when I passed his house at around 6:45, he was not there.  Thinking that they were already at the new site, I proceeded to the house of Francis, (Camote's son), who brought me to the new site.  As soon as I parked, I saw Camote on his motorcycle with Ven's distinct Miata (Josephine) following close behind.  Behind ven was a pick up who turned out to be Steve Albano.  After quick hello's, we got our gear and walked to the site.  As soon as we arrived, Francis pointed to an open branch where a Hornbill was perched. And of course, before I could bring up my camera, it flew to another tree where we could only see its head.  It stayed there for about thirty minutes. 

Then several of them honked and flew to the opposite cliff  - which is where we were three days prior, (great!).  We settled down to wait, and wait, and wait.  Wins soon arrived with all his gear.  Still we waited.  Soon we were getting bored.  Steve and I were playing on our phones.  Wins and Ven were snoozing. Then we got hungry so we sent Wins' driver to buy lunch.  Other birders arrived and left - first the group of Bimbo Brillo, Raniel Castaneda, and Ed Gapal.  Later it was Edwin Martinez and Romz Lopez.  Still no hornbill. Five hours had already passed and I was getting worried.

Wins' driver came back and we all began to eat. And of course, while we were in the middle of our meal, one hornbill arrived which caused a flurry of movements, lunch boxes were placed on the ground, cameras aimed...at nothing... because the bird stayed behind the leaves.  Meals were resumed but we kept an eye at the balete tree in front us.  I cannot recall how many minutes passed when the bird flew to another perch within the same tree but it was only visible from a lower part of the slope.  This caused another mad scramble as we all looked for a safe shooting perch.  What followed was about two hours of shooting, manuevering, cursing, repositioning, shooting, adjust, shoot again.  My memory card filled up, (twice!).  During a lull in the shooting, I noticed Ven's Chicken Joy lunch on the ground (di ako yung nakatabig ha!).

Sharing some of the images I was able to create. 

Northern Rufous Hornbill, endemic and endangered.

Thank you Lord for giving us the chance to photograph your beautiful creation.  

When I checked my phone, I saw a message from Ed Santos saying that Djop Tabaranza and Maia Tanedo photographed a Cotton Pygmy Goose at the Total Station along NLEX. Looks like we have a new target. When I got home, Lorna's first question was, did you get it? After I said yes, the next thing she said that Teacher Maia got this rare migrant! Guess am going to NLEX soon.

Chasing Lifers: Ticking off a big one

The Rufous Hornbill has been on my birding bucket list for several years now so when I saw the post of Loel Lamela on February 13 of a photo taken the day before, there was an overwhelming urge to go there. But the following day was Valentine's Day so I was not sure how Lorna would take it.  Luckily, she allowed me to go - her Valentine gift as she put it.  So off I went for a "quickie" birding trip (until 10am only).  I easily found the place as described by Loel and Djop Tabaranza.  I even heard the Hornbills honking on the gorge below.  But I did not see even a shadow of it.  So a little after 10am, I drove back to San Juan.

I put the Hornbills off my mind and concentrated on work and family matters the next few days.  For the weekend of Feb 20-21, I was actually looking at either going with some birding friends to Canarem or with another group of  friends to Subic.  But when photos taken by Edwin Martinez on Feb 17 came out, Win Paler, Ed Santos and I decided to try our luck the following day.  But when we arrived at Infanta, it was foggy and worse, it was raining.  We waited in our cars, and decided to have hot chocolate at Marquez. While sipping our delicious hot drinks, the sky cleared and we hurriedly went back to the site which was a few kilometers away.  By the time we got there, it was raining again.  It finally stopped around 11am. We set up our cameras and tripods and began to wait. By this time, we have been joined by Kamote, a local guide of sorts and his son, Francis.   

A little before 12nn, Francis excitedly called our attention and excitedly pointed at a distant tree below the cliff to our right. The bird was hidden inside the foliage with only its bright red beak showing.  I fired a burst, the bird shifted and I got a slightly better view, fire another burst. Sharing what is probably my best shot of the day.  Rufous Hornbill. Lifer # 3 for 2021, # 452 in my Lifelist. 

Rufous Hornbill, #3 for 2021; #452 in the Lifelist

Then it flew down to the right and disappeared from view.  What followed was several minutes of Kamote and Francis and us craning our necks and looking and hoping for a shot, any shot. Thirty minutes later, Francis, who was standing on a small ledge off the cliff was pointing and saying that it was in the open.  I looked at the precarious ledge, and the long way down, said a quick silent prayer to my patron saint (who happened to be St. Francis), handed my camera to my tocayo, sat down on the ground and sort of edged my way to the edge of the small ledge. When I got there, I had to stand up (knees shaking), to shoot, (handheld because there was no space for the tripod). Saw the bird at a distance and fired a burst, only for my camera to flash "Ful" meaning my XQD card was already full!!! Aaaargh!!! I quickly deleted shots, fire, delete some more, fire again.  And not feeling comfortable with my precarious perch, I handed my camera back to Francis and scrambled up the slope.  Whew!

Sharing my buwis buhay shot...

A distant full body shot of the Rufous Hornbill

The rest of the afternoon was spent waiting for the bird to come nearer but it never did. We could see them on the opposite slope, perhaps half a kilometer away.  At one point they flew high up aamong the trees but I believe only Ed was able to get good photos.  Mine were all blurry. At around 3pm, we went to the Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher site but it was also a no show.  We went back for a final shot at the Hornbills and as soon as we parked, Francis pointed to a pine tree.  One Hornbill was there but covered.  Then it flew down the cliff and was joined by three others and consistent with our luck, they perched hidden from us but we could hear them honking.  Then suddenly they flew towards us and perched on a tree directly below us.  Through a hole in the branches, I was able to see one. 

After a few more minutes, all four of them flew away in the direction of the opposite cliff.  We took this as a sign for us to call it a day.  

Back in the car, I saw a message from Lorna asking me to buy some plants for her, which I did.  And when I got to the Santa Maria area, I was treated to this magnificent sunset.

Sunset along Marilaque Highway

On the way home, Wins treated us to dinner at The Gatherings Cafe. 

Thank you Lord for showing us your magnificent creations (but please make them come nearer next time 😄).  Thank you for the time spent with friends and nature.