birds » gerryruiz photoblog mark II

More fun in the Philippines!

birds, nature, photography, sports-adventure, Tourist destinations, Travel 2 Responses »

Jan 092012

It’s definitely MORE fun in the Philippines!

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. has been quoted as saying, ”What differentiates the Philippines from every other place in the world… is the Filipino. It’s his special gift for transforming what is already a beautiful place into an unforgettable special place.”

“You take two identical islands, put FILIPINOS in one, and it’s going to be more fun in there where they are!”

High five to that.

Well, here are my initial takes to the new DOT tourism slogan which has triggered an avalanche of memes in the internet…

Communing with nature at Hagimit Falls, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte

Taking care of Lola at the airport, Tacloban City, Leyte

Fishing at the rock formations, Biri Islands, Northern Samar

Power napping at San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

Tacloban Port Area, Tacloban City, Leyte

Tacloban City, Leyte

Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Birdwatching at Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), Paranas, Samar

Zip Southern Leyte – the longest (1km) zipline ride over the tallest bridge in the country today, Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte

Stargazing at Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Calle Mena Crisologo in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur – dubbed as the Heritage Lane

Tubing at Ulot Rapids Torpedo Boat Adventure, Ulot River, Paranas, Samar

Bitukang Manok, Atimonan Natural Forest Park, Atimonan, Quezon

The music scene at 6500, Tacloban City

Calayucay, Sto. Domingo, Albay

Year 2011 was no doubt a year for photo enthusiasts. With an unprecedented growth in sales of DSLR’s and mobile phones, tablets and computers with digital cameras, I doubt if there ever was any other time in mankind’s history when there were just as many people snapping away photos all the time.

Looking back at the year just passed, still nursing a hangover of the holidays, I was struck with the number of subjects I was able to cover – from birding to weddings and beauty tilts to travel destinations; from the time I had a glaucoma attack and subsequent laser procedure down to baby pictures and awesome adventure rides and treks in far-flung areas.

Thus I decided to compile my favorites and share them with you for a brief replay of gerryruiz images of 2011.

I hope you like it. Cheers!

Hornbill presents herself as Christmas gift :)

birds, Christmas, nature, photography, Tourist destinations, Travel 1 Response »

Dec 262011

I’ve been to the Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte on several occasions.

Currently holding the record of having the highest elevation of all bridges in the Philippines with a height of 292 feet above the ground, it is also the site where the longest zipline (almost a kilometer long) is located.

At this elevation, and when the weather feels like it, low-flying clouds would suddenly envelop the area giving it a scene not unlike being in another temperate country; certainly some place else other than in the Philippines.

And, no, in those times I was in the area, I’ve never had the chance to take some bird shots… until last Thursday, December 22, 2011… when a hornbill, locally known as Talusi, (three of them, actually) suddenly flew into view and perched herself high up in a tree close by where I was just taking snapshots of the general scene.

It was my first bird shot at Agas-agas. And a seldom-seen-in-the-wild Samar Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides samarensis) at that!

Whew! Certainly a great Christmas gift for me!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!!

The Cassowary – the most dangerous bird in the world

birds, nature, photography, Tourist destinations, Travel 3 Responses »

Dec 182011

Meet one of the most dangerous creatures in the wild… and, guess what, it’s a bird!

Meet the cassowary and it sure can kick ass!

They are capable of dealing fatal blows to humans and other animals with their sharp and mighty claws.

They have put people in hospitals on numerous occasions and there have been many reports of people getting killed by a cassowary attack.

The Guinness Book of Records say that the cassowaries are the world’s most dangerous birds, very unpredictable, very aggressive, especially if wounded or cornered.

The cassowary, an exotic-looking, territorial bird, lives in the rain forests of Australia and New Guinea and are actually pretty shy animals if undisturbed, unless they think you are a threat to them.

You’ll see one of them – alive and kicking – inside the Davao Crocodile Farm Roadshow right in Metro-Manila, located inside the Boom-na-Boom complex behind Star City in Pasay City. Also called, “Crocodile Park Manila”, the zoo-like park features bird shows and other animal interactions – a highly-recommended activity for the entire family to enjoy and experience.

And not to worry, the cassowary’s cage is securely built and keeps it from attacking park visitors.