EP Aug13 - Soaring in the Sky

After a long wait, I finally got a chance to observe our very own Philippine Eagle in the wild. Grabe ang gara at ang laki talaga niya!

The first time I saw this kind was after my Mt. Apo climb way back 1995 (?), in Davao Phil Eagle Center. But this time, we were able to join a team of observers from the Phil Eagle Foundation who were tasked to track, monitor and record relevant data of how this magnificent bird live in the wild.

It's sad that this apex predator is losing its habitat, which is probably the main cause of its 'critically endangered' status. Now if we can only plant more trees, or conserve our forest - w/c means - less wood furniture demand from us, then baka sakaling we can help a bit in preserving our national bird from extinction.

Some new bits that I've recently learned: This eagle learns to hunt and kill on its own, without getting lessons from its parents. Unlike lions or other mammal predators, Phil Eagle seems to 'know' the how-to's thru genetic programming. Also interesting, is the fact that they 'know' that they're not suppose to eat mammal's hair (hence, their pluck-before-eating routine), nor eat their kill's intestine. Aba, may arte rin pala siya :)

You want to actively help? You can volunteer as field observer (and get a chance to see this bird in the wild) or participate in educational campaigns - visit http://www.philippineeagle.org/

(Photo courtesy of Neil Mallari)

EP July23/30 - Palawan Chronicles

Finally, I was able to have a close (really close) encounter with our very own Tandikan - a.k.a. Palawan Peacock Pheasant. Obviously (from the name), it's endemic to Palawan, and it's a ground dwelling bird like our Labuyo (wild manok), or Pugo (Quail).

The male has a metalic blue plumage, but smaller than a labuyo. I was expecting it to be as big as the Danfe (Nepali Peacok pheasant), but I just realized then that Philippine islands are home to small creatures - mammals, birds and reptiles. I shouldn't expected it to be bigger that its counterpart abroad.

As usual, the enemy of this rare bird is human. We cause deforestation and habitat destruction. We also buy wildlife! The wildlife trade in the Philippines never stops.

Sino namimili sa Cartimar ng ibon? If we don't buy, the trading stops. Simple!

EP July9- Alaskan Adventure

I was hoping to spend several days chasing Grizzly Bears & Moose, or spend time fishing Salmon (as if I eat salmon!), or cruise the bay to watch for big Whales, but the Denali climb was long, and my body - weary, from the tough climb.

Well, I may have climbed the summit, but the memory of that close-to-hell encounter, of a falling team member, of winds reaching 30mph, of an iced face and mitten-less left hand, in temp of -15 to -20C w/ windchill - on a freakin' summit knife ridge above 20,000ft - made me like my zoo visit more than my trip to the peak. :)

I have no more time to spare, so I literally run around the Alaska zoo to take a good glimpse of Polar bears, black and brown (grizzly) bears, moose, caribou (you say 'reindeer' if it's farmed and not wild), wolves (that just look like big dogs), dahl sheep, lynx (pusang malaki, pusang wild, na hindi pusa hehe), and a lot more.

Alaska is the biggest state of USA, but the population is just around 800,000 people. So don't be suprised if nature is teeming with wildlife. The biggest salmon, the biggest whales, the biggest bear! You name it! This is a very good example of how nature is preserved, when humans are outnumbered by wildlife (sort of). Less people in the area = more preserved habitat = more wildlife. (So let's push for the Reproductive Health Bill (-Family Planning?) if we want to save our few-remaining treasures in the Philippines - HAHAHA!)

EP June18 - Back in Nepal!

Two years after climbing Mt. Everest, i've decided to retrace the trails of Solo Khumbu (aka Everest region). But this time, to search for wildlife! ;)

Well, I also need to do some stretching... and some heavy-pack training for my up-coming Denali Expedition in Alaska.

In my 10 days of trekking around the region, I was lucky to video several animals in the wild (most of the time while carrying my big, damn pack!). I have a long encounter with Himalayan Tahrs (aka. mountain goats) - a small herd numbering 8-10 individuals. And guess how I was able to video them - they're busy digging for potatoes in the field, somewhere in the outskirts of Pangboche. Thieves!

I also encountered a rare Musk Deer (female, 1 individual only), on the trails from Phortse to Pangboche, then a rather adventurous encounter with a Peacock-Pheasant called 'Danfe' (national bird of Nepal). I tried to follow the bird, but the thorny and shrubby terrain made it difficult for me. The site is very close to Namche (coming in from Phakding). I managed to see 4 more individuals (and capture a hen-and-chick in my video) a few days after, this time on the way to Thamo (from Namche).

And of course I saw Yaks, Eagles, cute little river birds (-they actually dive underwater to fish), lots of Rhododendrons, etc.

"Super nice mountain view and amazing wildlife around!" - saan ka pa! ;)