Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ending the Year with a Hoot and a Howl

It's the last day of the year. A time when folks frolic and engage in merrymaking. A time to thank the year about to pass and to welcome the coming one with high hopes and joyous hearts.


And to go birding. And while at it, why not even add a new species to our lifelist?


A gazillion thanks to our friend, Ding Carpio, who broke his birding hiatus just at the right time. It all began when an "uncommon, poorly known" (according to the Kennedy Guide) member of the Strigidae family curiously decided to make the tree next to his office its home. Please note that access to Ding's office premises was restricted. When he posted pictures of this most unusual occurence in the internet, we die-hard, dyed-in-the-wool, bird photographers begged, cajoled, even threatened our dear, accommodating friend to take us where the action was. He relented, of course. How can he not? 


Early in the morning of the last day of 2011, seven enthusiastic, adrenalin-pumped birdnuts joined Ding in taking photographs of Bubo philippensis. The endemic Philippine Eagle-Owl, the largest owl found in this country, simply sat there giving us that wide-eyed look, occasionally assuming an angry bird stance.


Who are these people?
Angry Owl
An hour passed and it was time to go. Our host still had some errands to do and so did Cynthia and I. As we all bade goodbye to each other and wished each other the best of the coming year, we were all united in our thoughts:


We sure ended the year with a hoot and an owl!

5 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Wow, congrats on your owl sighting. It is a beautiful owl. Awesome photos. I wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Lee D said...

Happy New Year to you in the Philippines. Lord bless your year and help you find great birds to photograph. (I might need them)
Enjoyed you owl photo and article. Does sort of look like he is wondering what you are up to. :)
Would you allow permission for me to use that photo in my Birds of the World - Owls? It is much better that the one I have posted currently.
We had great Christmas services here and trust the Lord was honored as well there.
Lee at Leesbird.com

Lee D said...

Happy New Year to you in the Philippines. Lord bless your year and help you find great birds to photograph. (I might need them)
Enjoyed you owl photo and article. Does sort of look like he is wondering what you are up to. :)
Would you allow permission for me to use that photo in my Birds of the World - Owls? It is much better that the one I have posted currently.
We had great Christmas services here and trust the Lord was honored as well there.
Lee at Leesbird.com

Bob Kaufman said...

Thanks for your comments, Eileen and Lee. Lee, you may use my owl photo in your birds of the world.

Lee D said...

Thank you.