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Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay, Luzon
Birding in the Philippines is difficult. Many birds have been hunted for their plumage or their meat and consequently are hard to find and extremely shy.
The rainforest in Subic Bay holds a number of species, like Red Malkoha, Coleta, Black-naped Oriole and Several Woodpeckers that I saw regularly, but never managed to catch an image.
Birding in the Philippines is difficult. Many birds have been hunted for their plumage or their meat and consequently are hard to find and extremely shy.
The rainforest in Subic Bay holds a number of species, like Red Malkoha, Coleta, Black-naped Oriole and Several Woodpeckers that I saw regularly, but never managed to catch an image.
Found in town as well as the forest, the Brown Shrike
Found in town as well as the forest, the Brown Shrike
A Cuckoo, probably oriental, also sometimes seen in a residential area
A Cuckoo, probably oriental, also sometimes seen in a residential area
Green pigeons of the pompadour family gathering for a meal at the end of the day.
Green pigeons of the pompadour family gathering for a meal at the end of the day.
I had to work hard, cycle far and wait around for hours, but I saw them: Tarictic Hornbills, only found on Luzon.
I had to work hard, cycle far and wait around for hours, but I saw them: Tarictic Hornbills, only found on Luzon.
The more impressive Rufous Hornbill was very much absent and never heard either...
The more impressive Rufous Hornbill was very much absent and never heard either...
Blue-throated Bee-eaters at Triboa
Blue-throated Bee-eaters at Triboa
A nest of White-breasted Woodswallows on a street lantern
A nest of White-breasted Woodswallows on a street lantern
Colasisi, moving fast, flying like bullets
Colasisi, moving fast, flying like bullets
Dollarbird, not so common here
Dollarbird, not so common here
Other wings:
Other wings:
Common Mormon
Common Mormon
Great Orange Tip left and Bush Brown right
Great Orange Tip left and Bush Brown right
Common Posy (note the little tails on each wing!)
Common Posy (note the little tails on each wing!)
Small Ring, preferably resting on some dead leaves of the same color
Small Ring, preferably resting on some dead leaves of the same color
Kingdom of bats
Kingdom of bats
More bats than leaves in these trees. How do they survive? (I mean the trees)
More bats than leaves in these trees. How do they survive? (I mean the trees)
Apparently there are 2 kinds, the Golden Crowned Flying Fox and the Philippine Giant Fruit Bat. Not sure under which flag this one sails.
Apparently there are 2 kinds, the Golden Crowned Flying Fox and the Philippine Giant Fruit Bat. Not sure under which flag this one sails.
Wildlife In Need
Wildlife In Need
Eagle training at the WIN rescue centre
Eagle training at the WIN rescue centre
Serpent Eagles, enjoying their time with the trainer
Serpent Eagles, enjoying their time with the trainer
Animals that will not be able to return to the wild are trained for educational purposes, or like this Sea Eagle, taught to fly.
Animals that will not be able to return to the wild are trained for educational purposes, or like this Sea Eagle, taught to fly.
Even the skinks of Luzon are shy
Even the skinks of Luzon are shy
One of many Lycaenidae; look at those blue eyes!
One of many Lycaenidae; look at those blue eyes!
Lyu Dao
Lyu Dao, Green Island
Lyu Dao, Green Island
All over the island you hear the call of the Brown-eared Bulbuls.
Later we heard this is the only location in Taiwan they can be seen in such big numbers.
It was breeding season for them and we found numerous nests built in shrubs and trees.
All over the island you hear the call of the Brown-eared Bulbuls.
Later we heard this is the only location in Taiwan they can be seen in such big numbers.
It was breeding season for them and we found numerous nests built in shrubs and trees.
A male, keen on the look out, guarding a nest
A male, keen on the look out, guarding a nest
A female, on the way to feed her chicks
A female, on the way to feed her chicks
One of the nests hidden in the branches was so close to the road, I could easily have peeked inside, but decided not to upset the parents more than I already did.
One of the nests hidden in the branches was so close to the road, I could easily have peeked inside, but decided not to upset the parents more than I already did.
Bulbul is an Indian word, meaning pretty girl.
Bulbul is an Indian word, meaning pretty girl.
Scaevola
Scaevola
After the arid brownness of the Philippines Lyu Daos scenery was surprisingly green.
While the heavy rains of the rainy seasons still had to materialize.
After the arid brownness of the Philippines Lyu Daos scenery was surprisingly green.
While the heavy rains of the rainy seasons still had to materialize.
Japanese White-eye
Japanese White-eye
A Blue Lycaenidae
A Blue Lycaenidae
Left: Yellow Wagtail, right: Olive-backed (Tree) Pipit
Left: Yellow Wagtail, right: Olive-backed (Tree) Pipit
The ripe fruit of Pandanus attracts all sorts of beetles, some endemics only found on Green Island.
The ripe fruit of Pandanus attracts all sorts of beetles, some endemics only found on Green Island.
Checking out the dock, a Spotted Longhorn beetle
Checking out the dock, a Spotted Longhorn beetle
Cattle egret, not living with cattle so much as with goats and deer that roam the island.
Cattle egret, not living with cattle so much as with goats and deer that roam the island.
In breeding season their white heads turn orange.
In breeding season their white heads turn orange.
White-spotted Chinese Skink
White-spotted Chinese Skink
Another well represented specimen on Lyu Dao: Swinhoes Japalura
Another well represented specimen on Lyu Dao: Swinhoes Japalura
Gives you an idea how fiery the old dinosaurs must have been.
Gives you an idea how fiery the old dinosaurs must have been.
Beautiful Galangal in bloom during our visit.
Beautiful Galangal in bloom during our visit.
Left: Chestnut Bunting; right: Brown Shrike
Left: Chestnut Bunting; right: Brown Shrike
Hypolimnas anomala, or Malayan Eggfly
Hypolimnas anomala, or Malayan Eggfly
A kind of Lycaenidae again.
A kind of Lycaenidae again.
Hermit crabs love the shells of these land snails. The snails are edible, (we tried them in Hualien) but I recommend the crabs.
Hermit crabs love the shells of these land snails. The snails are edible, (we tried them in Hualien) but I recommend the crabs.
Sika deer, nearly extinct in other parts of Taiwan, are raised and farmed and allowed to run free most of the time, so long as they dont fall into the hands of local pet-lovers, who tie them up in their yard.
Sika deer, nearly extinct in other parts of Taiwan, are raised and farmed and allowed to run free most of the time, so long as they dont fall into the hands of local pet-lovers, who tie them up in their yard.
The song heard every days from high rocks and buildings, Blue Rock Thrush.
The female not so blue...
The song heard every days from high rocks and buildings, Blue Rock Thrush.
The female not so blue...
...the male very, on sunny days.
...the male very, on sunny days.
Springtime: Tadpoles in a puddle
Springtime: Tadpoles in a puddle
Left: Foetid Nothapodytes is native to the island and contains the anti cancer drug camptothecin; right: Dona Aurora
Left: Foetid Nothapodytes is native to the island and contains the anti cancer drug camptothecin; right: Dona Aurora
Orange surprise. Dont know what this really is; a bromeliad?
Orange surprise. Dont know what this really is; a bromeliad?
Another common sight: big billy goats
Another common sight: big billy goats
And a Common Tern who shared the dock with us.
And a Common Tern who shared the dock with us.
Hualien
Hualien
Hualien
Meilun River, Taroko National Park, Mt. Liyushan and Meilunshan parks had a lot to offer, specially in the beetle world. Exploring these places often in company of local birders was a real pleasure.
Meilun River, Taroko National Park, Mt. Liyushan and Meilunshan parks had a lot to offer, specially in the beetle world. Exploring these places often in company of local birders was a real pleasure.
Where ever we went in the lowlands of Hualien we heard the calls of Black Bulbuls.
Noisy birds, always chasing each other.
Where ever we went in the lowlands of Hualien we heard the calls of Black Bulbuls.
Noisy birds, always chasing each other.
Also the Styans Bulbul. Its call sounds like chocolate!
Also the Styans Bulbul. Its call sounds like chocolate!
The light-vented Bulbul looks much like the Styans but for its white head and the lack of tiny orange dots on the base of the bill. Apparently there are many mutations now, the original bird facing extinction some time...
The light-vented Bulbul looks much like the Styans but for its white head and the lack of tiny orange dots on the base of the bill. Apparently there are many mutations now, the original bird facing extinction some time...
We often went to Meilunshan, a park in the middle of the city, where we found an amazing amount of beetles, in many colors and sizes, all looking very exotic and photographable.
We often went to Meilunshan, a park in the middle of the city, where we found an amazing amount of beetles, in many colors and sizes, all looking very exotic and photographable.
Mating rhino beetles on the left. We found 2 dozen on a single tree. The other beetle and ants were found nearby.
Mating rhino beetles on the left. We found 2 dozen on a single tree. The other beetle and ants were found nearby.
Green scarab beetle
Green scarab beetle
I nearly got arrested for taking photos of these Parrotbills when they flew from tree to tree, right into a military area next to the park.
I nearly got arrested for taking photos of these Parrotbills when they flew from tree to tree, right into a military area next to the park.
On rainy days we saw many snails, but most days were sunny and huge butterflies would appear from nowhere.
On rainy days we saw many snails, but most days were sunny and huge butterflies would appear from nowhere.
A magnificent Papillion. Blue Peacock?
A magnificent Papillion. Blue Peacock?
Big butterflies, these Straight-lined Mapwings are over 7 cm long
Big butterflies, these Straight-lined Mapwings are over 7 cm long
A Pieridae of some sort left and a Taiwan spotted tiger beetle on the right
A Pieridae of some sort left and a Taiwan spotted tiger beetle on the right
Spotted Crow (no, it's not a mistake)
Spotted Crow (no, it's not a mistake)
Grey Treepie
Grey Treepie
Black-crowned Nightheron at the riverbank
Black-crowned Nightheron at the riverbank
Little Egret with breeding plumes upstream the Meilun river
Little Egret with breeding plumes upstream the Meilun river
More insects around the riverbanks. Complete parties of them feasting on the sap of trees.
More insects around the riverbanks. Complete parties of them feasting on the sap of trees.
A Palm King butterfly, a stag beetle and some orange-eyed flies
A Palm King butterfly, a stag beetle and some orange-eyed flies
A longhorn beetle taking a close look
A longhorn beetle taking a close look
A birding day at Mt. Liyushan produced a pair of Maroon orioles, showing off their red feathers in the green forest. Here the male.
A birding day at Mt. Liyushan produced a pair of Maroon orioles, showing off their red feathers in the green forest. Here the male.
A Taiwanese Rock Monkey, watching us from a safe distance, sometimes shaking the tree ferociously.
A Taiwanese Rock Monkey, watching us from a safe distance, sometimes shaking the tree ferociously.
My first-ever photo of a Black-naped Monarch pair. Male left, female right
My first-ever photo of a Black-naped Monarch pair. Male left, female right
Swinhoes frog
Swinhoes frog
Little lily flowers, seen all over Hualien.
Little lily flowers, seen all over Hualien.
Another pretty butterfly: the White Eggfly
Another pretty butterfly: the White Eggfly
This White Wagtail lived around the harbor where it often stopped on our dock to investigate our Nori and Wakame. Very brave little bird.
This White Wagtail lived around the harbor where it often stopped on our dock to investigate our Nori and Wakame. Very brave little bird.
More insects of Mt. Liyushan. The caterpillar on the left looks strange; it seems to have a tumor on its head.
More insects of Mt. Liyushan. The caterpillar on the left looks strange; it seems to have a tumor on its head.
Some tortoise, dreaming in the sun
Some tortoise, dreaming in the sun
Even cicadas have colors. Damselflies sure do
Even cicadas have colors. Damselflies sure do
A Tiny Grass Blue, this one not so tiny
A Tiny Grass Blue, this one not so tiny
I cannot leave out the lizards, they always fascinate me.
I cannot leave out the lizards, they always fascinate me.
Blending in with the garden greens
Blending in with the garden greens
Popping out of the fog
Popping out of the fog
Hunting for juicy hoppers etc. But how did this one on the left end up with a caterpillar on its nose? It walked the end of its body to the tip of the tail, where it got off.
Hunting for juicy hoppers etc. But how did this one on the left end up with a caterpillar on its nose? It walked the end of its body to the tip of the tail, where it got off.
Haughty and proud, as suits a descendent of the majestic dinosaurs
Haughty and proud, as suits a descendent of the majestic dinosaurs
Looking down the marble rocks in the Taroko Gorge we discovered a Blue Whistling Thrush (left) and Plumbeous Water Redstarts (fem, right) hopping about.
Looking down the marble rocks in the Taroko Gorge we discovered a Blue Whistling Thrush (left) and Plumbeous Water Redstarts (fem, right) hopping about.
Another White Wagtail, this one living some 1000m higher then our harbor resident
Another White Wagtail, this one living some 1000m higher then our harbor resident
Lunchtime on Mt Liyushan
Lunchtime on Mt Liyushan
An exotic looking bee on an equally exotic flowering tree. One day I hope to name them.
An exotic looking bee on an equally exotic flowering tree. One day I hope to name them.
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park
The Hualien Wild Bird Federation day trip on June 6th took us through the Taroko Gorge, up the mountains as high as 3100m. Driving up we stopped at various altitudes starting at 1200m. Where we entered a different world.
The Hualien Wild Bird Federation day trip on June 6th took us through the Taroko Gorge, up the mountains as high as 3100m. Driving up we stopped at various altitudes starting at 1200m. Where we entered a different world.
One of the first birds we saw was the Coal Tit. It brought memories of the Netherlands where they were very commonly seen in our gardens.
One of the first birds we saw was the Coal Tit. It brought memories of the Netherlands where they were very commonly seen in our gardens.
As we climbed the vegetation changed. Familiar flowers, trees and most of all mosses now dominated the landscape.
As we climbed the vegetation changed. Familiar flowers, trees and most of all mosses now dominated the landscape.
Looking at this shot I can almost feel the drop in temperature again.
Looking at this shot I can almost feel the drop in temperature again.
Wild daisies, long time no see
Wild daisies, long time no see
Flowering foxgloves (left) appear at the same location as the Vivid Niltava (right), depicting a medley of moderate climate and tropical wildlife
Flowering foxgloves (left) appear at the same location as the Vivid Niltava (right), depicting a medley of moderate climate and tropical wildlife
Another familiar bird, the Eurasian Jay or Vlaamse Gaai
Another familiar bird, the Eurasian Jay or Vlaamse Gaai
These plants looked so familiar, yet I cannot remember their Dutch nor English name. Can anybody help me out?
These plants looked so familiar, yet I cannot remember their Dutch nor English name. Can anybody help me out?
Taiwan Yuhina
Taiwan Yuhina
A Streak-throated Vulvetta watching me with its beautiful sharp eyes, trying to keep his nesting place secret.
A Streak-throated Vulvetta watching me with its beautiful sharp eyes, trying to keep his nesting place secret.
Soaring over 2000m high the Mountain Hawk Eagle paid us a short visit.
Soaring over 2000m high the Mountain Hawk Eagle paid us a short visit.
Higher up these Azaleas bloomed just these 2-3 weeks, turning the slopes purple. Lucky me!
Higher up these Azaleas bloomed just these 2-3 weeks, turning the slopes purple. Lucky me!
Ever seen purple pine cones before? Certainly not me.
Ever seen purple pine cones before? Certainly not me.
Less colorful but not less interesting flowers that were a delight to the botanists who joined us on this trip.
Less colorful but not less interesting flowers that were a delight to the botanists who joined us on this trip.
ALISHAN Gentians!!! They made my day.
ALISHAN Gentians!!! They made my day.
They almost outdid these White-whiskered Laughing Thrushes.
They almost outdid these White-whiskered Laughing Thrushes.
But not the Vinaceous Rosefinches.
But not the Vinaceous Rosefinches.
There were at least 4 pairs and they werent even that shy.
There were at least 4 pairs and they werent even that shy.
Another lucky sighting: the White-browed Bush Robin, with his best catch of the day: a high mountain Daddy Longleg of some sort. We also saw a Collared Bush Robin.
Another lucky sighting: the White-browed Bush Robin, with his best catch of the day: a high mountain Daddy Longleg of some sort. We also saw a Collared Bush Robin.
There were many more birds we saw that day, Flycatchers, Sibias, Liocichlas, Parrotbills and a family of Mikado Pheasants. This was undeniably my best ever high elevation bird watching day. Thank you every member of the HWBF who made this possible, specially Cassie!
There were many more birds we saw that day, Flycatchers, Sibias, Liocichlas, Parrotbills and a family of Mikado Pheasants. This was undeniably my best ever high elevation bird watching day. Thank you every member of the HWBF who made this possible, specially Cassie!
