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! ;)

EP25 - Adventure in Borneo

Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah Borneo

Mt. Kinabalu, the 4th highest in SE Asia, is in the island of Borneo. Borneo is one of the biggest homes of the Urgangutans, and one of the more (relatively) preserved natural treasure on earth.

Kinabalu Park (in the northern tip of Borneo) was declared as a World Heritage site because of its unique bio-diversity, especially on flora. When I was there, I’ve seen countless ferns, big trees and lots of orchids, mostly endemic to the place. Given Kinabalu’s 4 climate zones – it is no wonder why there’s so many species of plants and wildlife thriving in the whole park.

It is also interesting to learn about the mountain’s natural history. The picture above is on the upper section of the mountain, near the peak. Notice the rock’s curved-by-nature design – this is one place where (an ice) glacier used to sit and silently flow. But thru time, has disappeared, leaving a well-shaped/curved rock that seems to be a giant sculpture made by the greatest artist in the world – Nature.

It’s also interesting to realize how successful Kinabalu Park is, in terms of eco-tourism. This is one story where we can learn from. Rich, natural resource can be ‘harnessed’ not by cutting and selling trees, or mining, or extracting materials or wildlife – but earn profits thru paying tourists who wish to see nature in its pristine form.

Ep20 - Birds of the Philippines

Birds in the phillipines is over 760 species including some of the rarest kind. One of the famous place is Candaba Swamp (Pampanga), a stop-over for migrating birds such as egrets, spoonbill and bittern. A count survey done last 2007 revealed that there are around 17,000 individuals (more than 80 species) both visitors and resident birds. Unbelievable di ba! Some of the 'sites' are just around our Metro background like the coastal area in Paranaque, or an abandoned subdivision in Cavite.

Bird-watching (or 'Birding') is a fast-growing eco-tour activity nowadays. I personally suggest lazy individuals (hehe) to stretch there muscles a bit, get an outdoor life, gain new friends, and try this booming activity. Nope, it's not like you're gonna hike for 6 hours just to get a glimpse of these treasured birds (unless you are doing research in the middle of a trail-less, who-knows-where-this-shit-is jungle). Imagine it's cheap, the sites are very accessible; Paranaque coastal area, Candaba swamp in Pampanga, Olango in Cebu, Puerto Rivas in Balanga, well you name it - birds are just everywhere!

And you can brag about your encounters during beer sessions or during your romantic dates :) that's extra pogi points for you.

More info? visit http://www.birdwatch.ph/

EP19 - Diving in Coron Palawan

(picture 1)

Ornate Ghost Pipefish are very difficult to spot! At least when their surrounding background matches their camouflage. But this one I saw was ‘malling’ around the wreck that I easily spotted his weird looking shape. Ghost pipefish is a relative of seahorse and both rely on heavy body camouflage for self-defense and hunting. They don’t obviously have the capability to swim fast. ‘Ordinary’ elongated pipefish can at least swim and hide in the corals.

(picture 2)

It’s a new experience for me to see a school of fish attacking a jellyfish. The poor jelly dude has no escape from the hungry predators, but then again there are thousands of big, white jellyfish in Coron Bay that there’s no threat to their survival. Sea turtles are probably not aware that their favorite snack thrives in this place as I heard that there’s not much sightings of sea turtles here.

Coron
After more than 60 years, the big Japanese cargo ships sunk by the Americans during WWII are now giant artificial reefs teeming with a thousand corals and marine creatures. Wreck diving (penetration) will also provide you a glimpse of the past, as you swim thru the ship’s interior, as if strolling around a giant, underwater museum.

Unfortunately, some of the wrecks in the Philippines have been cannibalized or being ‘salvaged’ for cheap metal trade – throwing away our underwater, historical heritage for good. In Subic, at least 2 wrecks already ‘disappeared’. In Leyte, the historic site of McArthur’s re-entry to the Philippines during WWII, some wreck parts were already salvaged and sold to scrap buyers. If that is not a total lack of awareness, it’s probably plain stupidity and selfishness.

Let’s all Save our Wrecks, save our historical treasures, save our artificial reefs – and save a good future for the next generation.