Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons

Every year when we visit Santa Fe Dam for some birding we always see this bird. It had gotten used to urban living and associates itself with the more common Greylags.

In December 2010, a flock of this species visited the Candaba Wetlands in the Philippines. Although they are migrants from northern Asia, the Philippines is not their usual destination during winter.

Santa Fe Dam
March 16, 2018

Canon 5D Mk III, Tamron 150-600 @ 483mm
ISO-800, 1/1000, f13

Candaba Wetlands
December 23, 2010

Canon 5D Mk II, 500 + 1.4X = 700mm
ISO-400, 1/1250, f13

Tundra Bean Goose - Anser serrirostris

We had barely settled in as retirees to the Philippines when we learned that there was an extremely rare goose seen at the Candaba Wetlands. Thankfully, a friend offered to take us along with him to twitch on this bird. It was luck that as soon as we arrived we already saw this species which was a first time occurrence in the Philippines.

Candaba Wetlands, Pampanga
April 3, 2010

Canon 5D Mk II, 500 + 1.4X = 700mm
ISO-320, 1/640, f9, tripod

Philippine Duck - Anas luzonica

The very best place to see Philippine Ducks is at the Candaba Wetlands. Depending on the season, hundreds, even thousands, congregate on this marshy area. It was a surprise to my wife and I when we visited Caylabne Resort in Cavite that one of the staff informed us that there was a flock of Philippine Ducks in the "pond". We made a short hike through some forest and at the edge was indeed a pond. And yes, there was a flock of Philippine Ducks there.

Philippine Ducks are endemic to the Philippines. They can be found in freshwater marshes, shallow lakes and on bays. Their distinguishing mark is the bright cinnamon head and neck with a black crown and stripe across the eyes not unlike those ancient Egyptian portraits.

Philippine Duck - Anas luzonica
Caylabne Bay Resort, Cavite
August 18, 2012

Canon 5D Mark II, 500mm+1.4X (700mm) on a tripod
ISO-200, 1/400, f6.3