text: DigitalGoogle Adds +1 And Twitter Buttons To The Android MarketBy Frank McPherson|June 1, 2011 ShareBy Frank McPherson|June 1, 2011 Share Google has added a level of social networking to the Android Market by implementing +1 and Twitter buttons on each app detail page. The +1 button is Google's version of Facebook's Like button, which people can click to indicate that they like the page they are viewing. In the case of the Android Market, users see a count of the number of people who clicked the +1 button. If you wish to share a link to an app in the Android Market with your friends on Twitter, you can click the Tweet button. A tweet is generated telling your friends to check out the app and includes a link back to the Android Market. What will be tweeted is presented to you in a window and you have a chance to edit the message before posting it on Twitter.Another way that people can see that you liked something is by viewing your +1 clicks on your Google Profile. Google has made the sharing of your +1s on your profile opt-in, so in order for people to view them you will need to go to your profile and make it visible.While Google has rolled out the +1 button on the Android Market today, you will likely be seeing the button appear on more web sites, just as you have seen the Facebook Like button. The +1 button will certainly appear across Google's web sites, including YouTube. In comparison to the Facebook Like button, the question is, what is the incentive for web sites to place the +1 button on their pages?When you click the Facebook Like button, the fact that you like a web page is shared in your Facebook newsfeed, and when your friends see it, they may click the link to open the web page. The result is an increase in traffic to the web page, which makes it nearly a no-brainer for web sites to add the Like button.Google's +1 button does not share a link to the page, but rather shows a count of the total number of clicks of the +1 button, which is an indication of the degree to which people like the contents of the page. The result of the Google +1 button clicks will be reader provided ranking of a particular web page that appears in search results, so if a web site has a higher +1 count users will likely pick it over other pages that appear in Google's search results. Sharehttp://adweek.it/2jPPTz8 copy Adweek Adweek


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subset: commoncrawl


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Here you'll find all Brabantia news, inspiration and information. Bring color to your life with this brand new series of modern and smart Brabantia products.
Select a tag on the left side to view the items.
Are you looking for a quick and stylish way to brighten up your kitchen? Making the ordinary extraordinary with it's fun and functional products, leading homewares brand Brabantia has launched its new Accent Line kitchen tools.
This new line of 50 must-have gadgets are perfect for budding chefs and home cooks. The comprehensive collection of food preparation utensils from can openers and garlic presses to whisks and ladles are made from high-grade stainless steel and corrosion resistant materials.
Each Accent Line gadget comes complete with a Dark Gray Cap with sturdy hanging loop so you can organize it your way. Matching hanging racks with movable hooks are available so you can display your Accent Line tools in a way that works best for you.
You'll fall in love with the smart design which allows you to slide the silicone cap onto the kitchen tool with ease. Also available in two additional colors for you to choose from - Dark Mint and Passion Red - the colorful caps will delight you when creating food in the kitchen, allowing your creative cooking experience to be even more of a pleasure.
You can swap the color whenever you feel like a change! Why not mix and match colors, create a color collision or simply complement an existing color palette in your kitchen?
When attached to Brabantia's Accent Line kitchen tools, the caps are easy to clean, helping to make your life easier.
The Accent Line is supported by a five-year guarantee.


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After being on the run from Union forces, Confederate President Jefferson Davis meets with his cabinent at Washington, Georgia, and the group dissolves, leaving the Confederacy without a government. See a video recording of historian Bud Bowie delivering a talk on Jefferson Davis at the Kansas City Public Library. On May 10, 1865, Davis and his wife are arrested at Irwinville, Georgia, as they attempt to find transport to Egypt. Davis is indicted for treason and kept a prisoner for two years at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, but on December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson pardons all members of the rebellion. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution specifically denies Davis the right to hold public office. Finally, on October 17, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signs a Congressional resolution posthumously restoring full citizenship to Davis. Carter cites the resolution as a final reconciliation between the North and South.
Open Timeline


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The official argos uk online catalogue shopping website. check & reserve or let us deliver to your door appliances, electronics, furniture, games, gifts, ho
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Internet marketing is a great way to make money online. no lies or secret formulas are hosted here so check out honest no barred info here on internet income.
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Web information service company e-links.mobi provides latest web information & current internet trends regarding advertising, software services, industry news.
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How to preserve the integrity of the commons without setting a dangerous precedent or getting sued.
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Restaurant Internet Marketing services by UK hospitality experts. Advanced Restaurant Pay Per Click, Restaurant SEO Optimization, Social Media & Restaurant Mark


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Immunotherapy Duo Improves Survival in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Overall survival was improved in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients through an innovative immunotherapy strategy in a multicenter study reported at the 2014 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
" 'This is the first time a randomized study has shown that immunotherapy is effective in pancreatic cancer,' said Dung T. Le, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore. 'This is just a first step, and we believe we'll be able to take this approach further.' "
"The novel treatment, which may be better tolerated than standard chemotherapy, involves two different anticancer vaccines: GVAX Pancreas followed by CRS-207. GVAX is composed of pancreatic cancer cells that have been genetically modified to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which stimulates the immune system. GVAX is given with low-dose cyclophosphamide to inhibit regulatory T cells and boost the vaccine's efficacy. The second vaccine, CRS-207, is live-attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), which has been genetically modified to be safe for human use while retaining its ability to stimulate an immune response against the protein mesothelin on pancreatic tumor cells.
"The combination essentially trains the body to recognize and attack pancreatic tumors. In mouse tumor models, Lm/GVAX vaccines are synergistic, and in a phase I study of CRS-207, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who had received prior GVAX lived more than 15 months, Dr. Le explained."
Editor's note: Immunotherapy treatments work by boosting a patient's own immune system to fight cancer. This story describes such a treatment, which combines two "cancer vaccines" called GVAX Pancreas and CRS-207. Scientists found promising results for the treatment in pancreatic cancer patients.


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The coming wave of minority advancement
As the baby boom generation retires, new opportunities will arise for America's minorities. Jobs once held largely by white workers will become available to an ever more diverse workforce, raising the prospect of greater mobility for minorities. In his book, "Blurring the Color Line: The New Chance for a More Integrated America," published by Harvard University Press in September, Richard Alba argues that the social divide drawn along racial and ethnic lines could narrow sharply in coming decades. Alba is a distinguished professor of sociology at City University of New York
GUEST BLOGGER: Richard Alba
It does seem an odd moment to think about the possibilities for minority mobility. The deep recession has made many Americans pessimistic. Yet we shouldn't allow ourselves to be blinded to the unusual opportunity that lies ahead to advance ethno-racial integration, especially because our future economic strength will depend on it.
This little-comprehended opportunity will arise from a massive and predictable demographic process during the next quarter century: the retirement of the baby boom. This group of Americans, born between 1946 and 1964, is mostly white, highly educated and concentrated in the best jobs. As the baby boomers leave the workforce between now and the early 2030s, when the last of them turn 70, the young Americans entering it will be much more diverse in ethno-racial terms.
The turnover in the labor market will set up the possibility for non-zero-sum mobility on a large scale, a period when blacks and Hispanics can advance without threatening the prospects that middle-class whites take for granted for themselves and their children. For there will not be enough whites coming into the labor force to replace the baby boomers, let alone take any new jobs that will be created.
It is not just that many young minorities will have the chance the advance; the economic health of the nation will depend on their doing so, since a major challenge will be replenishing the highly trained sectors of the work force. Other groups, such as new immigrants, may fill some of the need, but it seems highly unlikely that they could satisfy all of it, given the numbers involved. Any sound strategy for the nation's future must involve U.S.-born minority groups, a huge, underutilized human resource.
To implement such a strategy, we will have to address the gross educational inequalities that stand in the way. Currently, the college graduation rates of blacks and Hispanics are only half those of whites. The roots of these inequalities undoubtedly extend back into the early years of schooling. Remedying these problems will require much more public investment in education; it will help if we can see such steps as necessary for protecting the long-range economic position of the U.S.
The potential ramifications for minorities of non-zero-sum mobility are profound. We can understand them better by looking back to another period of social change: the mass assimilation of the so-called white ethnics, Irish Catholics and southern and eastern European Catholics and Jews, in the decades following World War II. On the eve of the war, these ethnics were still confined to the margins of the mainstream. Skepticism about their assimilability into the white population was prevalent, and their religions had long been suspect to white Protestants. By 1970, however, the lines of division were fading rapidly, and growing social integration, exemplified by increasing intermarriage, was evident.
These changes took place during a period of large-scale non-zero-sum-mobility, originating then in an extraordinary period of prosperity. The ethnics, it must be pointed out, benefited also from public investment in education, especially the expansion of state colleges and universities, which allowed groups like the Italians to catch up rapidly to mainstream educational norms.
Non-zero-sum mobility will not solve all of the nation's ethno-racial problems. Many very poor minority Americans will find the pathways upward inaccessible. However, when it comes to race relations, the nation's wound that most stubbornly resists healing, it is wise to remember Voltaire's famous caution that, "the best is the enemy of the good."
By Steven E. Levingston |
December 28, 2009; 5:30 AM ET
Steven Levingston
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Each recipe uses ingredients using whole grains, flax seed, vegetables and legumes, and included are the total fat calories percentages!
Watch the pounds melt off as you cook these easy to follow recipes! Some of the recipes give you the instructions for a stove method and also a crock pot method, giving you the option to choose.
Try this Black Bean Soup which can be made in the crock pot or on the stove! Serve with baked corn chips!
1.1 fat grams, 150 calories = 6% fat calories
Serves: 4
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 poblano pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
3 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or sprinkle in individual bowls)
4 cups water
1 tsp Real salt
1 1/2 tsp vegetable or chicken bouillon
1 tsp tomato bouillon
Crock Pot Method: Put all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook for 5-6 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low.
Stove Top: Substitute one 15-ounce can of black beans, drained and rinsed, and place all the ingredients in a medium size pot, simmering on medium high until all the vegetables are cooked, about 15 minutes. Take out the bay leaf before serving.


text: Am I missing a thread somewhere? No pictures of the dash and front console on website or picts from last night? Looks more or less the same as Model S? At CES the steering wheel had advanced touch controls like a small iPod screen. Did these make it into production? - my guess is no.


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Common Law Advance Care Directive
The Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW) implies that a person who lacks capacity may refuse treatment in advance: 'a person shall be taken to object to the carrying out of medical or dental treatment … if the person has previously indicated in similar circumstances, that he or she did not then want the treatment to be carried out, and has not subsequently indicated to the contrary.'
However, there is no legislation in New South Wales that directly provides for statutory advance health directives. Instead, common law principles relating to advance health directives are applicable, and a directive prepared in New South Wales may have some legal effect.
In 2009, in Hunter and New England Area Health Service v A,a document refusing kidney dialysis completed by an adult with capacity was held by the NSW Supreme Court to constitute a valid advance health directive.
An advance health directive may be valid at common law if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
1 Capacity: The adult must have had capacity at the time the advance health directive is made and is able to communicate the decision in some way.
2 Voluntariness: The directive must be made voluntarily without coercion or undue influence when making the advance health directive.
3 Specificity: The patient intended the refusal to apply to the specific situation that later arose.
Legal Effect
If a health professional fails to comply with an advance care directives that meet the relevant standards, this may constitute a common law assault or battery.
Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW)
Further Information
Further information, including relevant forms, is available from the following links:
Advance Care Directive Association
18/113 Johnston Street,
Annandale NSW 2038
Ph: 0423 157 003
NSW Law and Justice Foundation – Advance Health Care Directives


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From secretive dealings to global crises: football's inability to shed an ever stronger political spotlight is telling, but does this benefit or damage the so called beautiful game? Joseph Liczbinski investegates.
One is widely considered and known as the beautiful game, the other quite often as the ugliest of games. Football and politics have always had a difficult relationship, mostly due to neither knowing how closely to embrace the other. It is popularly thought that football especially has no need to involve itself in political affairs; football is just a sport, a pastime and escape from the busy modern world. However, football in its modern form appears to be delving itself ever deeper into the world of politics, so much so that it is finding it difficult to escape from the political spotlight. Of course when football is mentioned in relation to this, it is not the game itself, kids in parks, players on pitches but the governing bodies and large global brands that are the political focus within the sport. All have come under the far reaching spotlight, a spotlight that varies between positive publicity and far more commonly negative exposure. Much of the political spotlight on the game at the present moment has most notably not been invited, but forced in search of reform. The situation can be viewed as akin to a defender at a corner, modern football appears to be constantly grappling and wrestling with its own political image, and though it may escape the referee to begin with, the longer it goes on the more people begin to realize and take notice.
So what exactly is this spotlight aimed at?
Everyone in football, at least the vast majority of people, should now be aware of the chaotic affairs involving football's governing body FIFA. When speaking of political football, FIFA would naturally always be the first name to come to mind. The reason being that FIFA is in the position of its political actions and dealings being now forcefully exposed to the world; various inquiries by organisations as widespread and prestigious as the FBI have been aimed at exposing corruption within the governing body, particularly in relation to the voting process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. This is still going on to this day, following the release of the dates of the 2022 Qatar world cup, Sepp Blatter, the head of FIFA was placed under investigation by both the Swiss attorney general and FIFA Ethics Committee. Blatter's rival candidate for the next Presidency and current UEFA head, Michel Platini is another big name currently under investigation. What is noteworthy in relation to Platini however, is the recent comments he made lamenting the role that politics now plays in the internal running of FIFA as well as in its public image. This statement, perhaps made to deflect the current media led political scrutiny, leads to a very pertinent question in relation to the running of our beloved game; is political intervention within the sport a good thing or a bad thing?
FIFA Scandal Also Threatens No. 2 Official http://t.co/LC2EeQBvBl pic.twitter.com/vxCNUqUVNr
— Latest FIFA News (@FIFAUpdate) September 29, 2015
Though it can hardly be considered a good look for football for organisations such as the FBI to be having to intervene, it would be difficult to argue that no good has come with action finally being taken to rid football of its internal corruption. FIFA has had chance after chance to sort its internal affairs and properly address and act upon allegations of bribery and corruption, chance after chance and it has failed to take any kind of meaningful action. In this instance, external political pressure has actually paid dividends and started the change that many football fans have been longing for years. While the future of FIFA is very much unknown, a change at this point is far more attractive than a continuation of what has so far past. However, one might argue on the other hand that the interference of government agencies could set a dangerous precedent whereby allegations are thrown every time a nation or governing body is looked upon unfavourably. Some may fear that instead of choosing the right man to lead FIFA football will become far more political, and the new head of the organisation will just be someone more favourable to the associations who publically opposed Blatter rather than someone picked for the health of the sport.
Good to see the "Refugees Welcome" banner make a re-appearance yesterday. #TFC pic.twitter.com/JZcK7BEdo8
— Randy Narine (@Randy_Narine) September 20, 2015
However, FIFA and the politics within the sport are not the sole political factors involved in the game. Where the FIFA situation is an example of politics within the game itself, there are a great many examples of the game inviting external political issues into discussion. A recent example would be the refugee crisis currently occurring in most of Europe. Many club supporters have taken it upon themselves to show banners at matches with the words 'Refugees welcome', in an attempt to drum up public support and oppose anti-refugee sentiments. Borussia Dortmund and FC St.Pauli played a charity game to raise funds for refugees, Bayern Munich have set up special initiatives aimed at helping young refugees, while in England many Premier League clubs have been donating percentages of match day ticket income toward various charities. Regardless of individual political views, football's unification, for the most part, on a humanitarian issue has been wonderful to see. However, in terms of it being a political issue it might be noted that this is one such issue that unlike other mediums, football cannot just ignore. The Premier League and its clubs, like many across Europe are now very much seen and recognised as global brands, as such they have gained a certain responsibility to take note and react accordingly when such crises occur, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is expected of a sport whose top tiers are already seen as very much detached from fans and the general person alike.
In the FIFA instance, football reached a point that the political world outside of the game could not ignore. In the refugee instance, the political situation reached a climax that the footballing world could not viably ignore. For right or for wrong, politics and football are now largely intertwined with one another, such is the high-profile nature of the modern game. Whether this is sustainable and healthy is yet to be seen, however one might hope that greater external political involvement may do the sport some good after the intense self-harm football has inflicted upon itself in recent years.


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your bag
Your bag is empty.
Sorry, this product has sold out!
If you would like ARCHFASHION to try to and find it for you complete the form below.
The cleo sandal is awesome! It has a very roman look about it, with the black suede, gold trim and strappy look you will have the coolest sandals going around for summer! Pair with cute shorts or skirt for an easy summer style. Heel height: 1.5cm


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AT&T connects with 3G notebooks, netbooks from Dell
Aimed at powering small businesses, AT&T has unveiled 3G notebooks and netbooks from Dell. The 3G wireless built-in feature in these devices are expected by America's leading network to equip small businesses.
The built-in wireless technology offered by the Dell netbooks and notebooks, combined with the 3G connectivity from AT&T, may be seen as a good business proposition that may help small businesses connect globally.
AT&T is offering small business customers a discounted rate for the Dell Vostro 1520 laptop, which comes with the AT&T embedded wireless technology. Businesses can now opt for a two-year AT&T DataConnect 5GB monthly service plan. An ideal pick would be the Dell Vostro 1520, which is offered by the company for a price starting at $633. Customers can also ask for a $120 discount on other Dell devices, including netbooks, like the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, and additional laptops.
The telecom carrier is also offering customization and configuration of devices to meet unique computing needs and round-the-clock hardware tech support.
Dell, in the meanwhile, is pushing more of its note book and netbook models such as Inspiron, Latitude, Precision and XPS as models that can be equipped with AT&T's 3G connectivity.
(via prnewswire)


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The graphic novel is treated as film noir in this deftly written, visually stunning debut.
This first effort from Britain's Berry suggests that the graphic novel would have been the ideal medium for Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, though her detective isn't as hard-boiled as theirs. An Ecuadorean transplant to London, Fernández Britten has tired of the sort of domestic surveillance that has earned him the reputation as "the Heartbreaker," even though, as the private detective realizes, "most of them already knew what they paid me to tell them." So he decides that he will only take murder cases, matters of life and death. It isn't clear when he accepts an invitation to meet Charlotte Maughton, an attractive heiress whose father runs a publishing company, that there is any murder to investigate. Her fiancé, who is also her father's assistant, has apparently killed himself. But Charlotte insists that what others believe to be suicide was actually a murder involving the blackmailing of her father. His publishing company may not be what it seems. Even Charlotte may not be who she seems. "Things would have been very simple if they weren't so damn complicated," says the detective, a sensitive soul who prefers the term "researcher" to private investigator. What he ultimately discovers is that "the world is a bad place full of bad people," as he wrestles with his conscience over how much of what he has learned he should reveal. The plot has plenty of psychological depth and narrative twists, but even more impressive is Berry's visual command, the subtlety of her occasional use of color amid various shades of gray and the manner in which her work transcends conventional panels.
This isn't just inspired comics artistry, its inspired artistry.


text: hey guys im lookin to get a new cab here soon but i need your guys input. looking at: ampeg 810 aguilar 412 mesa 1000 and whatever you all add i play mainly rock/metal and need it to get loud and still sound good. my head is a svt1000 so i have the power to push the bigger cabs i guess my main question is whats the sound difference and sound quality between the 3 cabs i listed and what would be best for my type of music. thanks austin


text:
Hi, I'm Song Feng
a climber and a postdoctoral researcher in Center for Nonlinear Studies of Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Generally, I am interested in studying complex systems by integrating mechanism-based and data-driven approaches. The ultimate goal is to understand (some of) the design principles of complex systems, whether it is physical, biological or social systems. These design principles will guide us on de novo design or systematic control of these complex systems.
In my spare time, I love to do outdoor activities, like climbing, skiing and hiking. I also love reading, drawing and watching documentaries.


text:
Davies Doherty Dynon De la Merced Doenime D.Fire
Chris Davies
Address: email@example.com
Homepage: Stories by Chris Davies
The author of the immense Together Again saga and its little associated stories set in that continuity. Mr. Davies matches Biles in his skills of plot weaving and saga creation. Also, like Biles, he is skilled in both script and prose formats, capable of writing an engaging story in both.
Mark Doherty
Address: email@example.com
Homepage: Mark Doherty's Fanfics
The author of I'm Here To Help, Knights of the Saber, 100% Woman,and, I think his biggest work to date, Ryouga and Ukyou. Mark is a master of characterization and his Emerald matches Frank Barr's Trenchcoat Mask and Chris Angel's Crimson in my favorite original SM characters list. His works are quite a joy to read and are excellent examples of character-driven plots.
Andrew Dynon
Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homepage: no homepage
The author of Operation Lightsphere, a Teknoman/Iczer crossover. He is a good prose writer and has incredible skills in plotting, following the three C's I outlined in ALSW. It is quite sad that his work is unnoticed because of the relative obscurity of his subject series.
Florencio B. De la Merced
Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homepage: Florencio's Fan Fiction Pages
The author of Silly, Angelus Returnen Incarnatus, The Son He Never Was, In My Life and The Legend Of El Hazard: The World Of The Ancient Gods among others. A skilled writer, he can breathe life into plots that would sometimes put me to sleep. His fics have that charm in them that makes me want to read them again.
Susan Doenime
Address: email@example.com
Homepage: Transpacific Fanfiction!
Entry by Ryoucilo
Susan Doenime is known for two things: great writing and a deep hatred of Kasumi. Fortunately not too many people seem to take notice of the latter, but more of the first. Her writings are often short with such great dark comedies as Kasumi's Guest and Ukyo Can Cook and also can create poignant tales like Poison. She also serves as one of the writers of Ill Met By Starlight which has garnered her much deserved praise. As one of the few authors that hates Kasumi she can get away with it just as long as she continues to write well crafted and fascinating stories.
Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homepage: Sword and Sorcery
The author of Sword and Sorcery, a Ranma
� fic set in a fantasy world of elves and wizards. His work is a
masterpiece of plotting and could be held up as a prim example to an old writer's advice:
the simpler the plot, the subtler the plotting. A very admirable piece of work, the only
disadvantage is he takes a long time between the release of chapters.
Eddy Eades
David Eddy
Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homepage: David Eddy's Fanfiction
The author of Nekophobia, Second Time Around, Wild Child and that cute little lemon, Careless Destiny. A very good author, especially skilled in crafting dialogue and evoking emotion, his prose style is perfect for his works. He also makes a pretty good lemon ! ~_^
James Eades
Address: email@example.com
Homepage: The Macho Caballo Page
The author of Macho Caballo, IMHO one of
the best original fics on the FFML. He is a very good writer, as proven by the fact that I
haven't fallen asleep or have been tempted to delete his fic. I usually delete original
fics once I've read a little part of it and doesn't pass my standards. James' fic
passed with flying colors, something only David Homerick, author of the original fic Missy
Foxglove has been able to do.
Gamlain Gaffney Gagne Giroux Greenbeans
Address: no known address
Homepage: no homepage
The author of one of the most interesting SIs in FFML history, Youma Blues. A very good writer in first-person POV, it helps considerably well in his writing of, I think, the only SI in history where the author is, well, a villain. Well thought out series, but he really needs a prereader to help with the typos.
Sean Gaffney
Address: email@example.com
Homepage: Sean Gaffney's Fanfics!
The author of Won't Get Fooled Again, Complete Control, Lucky and another favorite SI of mine, Made Of Stone. Sean has a great skill in evoking emotion in his writing which he uses effectively in all his stories. He is currently married to Hotaru Tomoe-Gaffney and DJ for KCTF--the best radio station in Crystal Tokyo. ~_^
Stefan Gagne
Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homepage: Spoof Chase Productions
The author some of the most hilarious works of fanfiction on the 'net. His works include his writings for Spoof Chase Productions like the Magical Troubleshooting Crossover Fighting Tournament and his current work Slayers Reflect, one of the few Slayers fics out there. His style is very humorous and similar to Andrew Huang's, whose style I have described as "Pratchetty". He is, along with Ryoucilo, one of the funniest writers on the FFML.
Louis-Phillipe Giroux
Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Homepage: Phoenix's Den
The author of Lines Of Destiny, IMHO the best Ranma/SM crossover out there. He is also author of Point of No Return, one of the few Lodoss War fics out there and is planning on writing Differing Powers, a Ranma�/WoT crossover. Louis is extremely skilled in the use of details and dialogue to advance the stories he writes. His works are also examples of masterful plotting, something that all writers, both fanfic and original, must possess.
Address: email@example.com
Homepage: Greenbeans' Homepage


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Thursday, October 28, 2010
Empanadas de Manzana
If you want to learn something, teach it! It's immeasurable how much I've learned about ingredients and cooking since I started this blog. By showing you, my readers, what I cook, you have taught me how to become better at it, and have inspired me to investigate and plunge into new areas of cooking.
I have posted several recipes for empanadas this year, each time using a different recipe for the crust. I felt I had enough confidence to venture off on my own without a recipe at hand and prepare an empanada dough. I managed to make these apple empanadas from scratch using the ingredients I had at hand and my new-found confidence.
For the Dough:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tbsp Crisco shortening
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ice water
In a large bowl mix all your ingredients together using a fork. I know you may think there has to be a certain order to incorporating the ingredients, but that is really not the case, at least not for these. Work the dough as much as possible with the fork before putting your hands in there, gathering it and kneading it to form a large ball. Separate the dough into 2 balls, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour (more time would be better, even the next day).
For the Filling:
4 apples, peeled, cored and cut into small pieces (I had one Granny Smith and 3 Red Delicious)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 squeeze of lemon juice
Mix all these ingredients in a bowl. Chop your apples finely. (Do as I say, not as I did) because large chunks will break through the dough.
To assemble:
1 egg, beaten
Heat oven to 350. Take out the refrigerated dough. Unwrap one ball and separate in half, then in half again and in half again so that you have 8 sections. From these into small bowls. Sprinkle flour a clean surface an roll out each small ball into a circular shape (sort of circular, it won't be exact). Place about 1 tablespoon of your apple filling in the center of your empanada. Fold over, press the sides together, then pinch and fold up as you go. (I'm not very good at this, it requires practice, do the best you can.) or you can press the edges together with a fork. Repeat. You will have a total of 16 empanadas (8 from each orginal ball). At this point you can freeze some for baking at another time.
Place your empanadas on a baking dish and brush on your egg wash. Pinch them on top a couple of with a toothpick. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown.
Posted by Ivonne at 2:00 AM
4 comments:
Your gonna need to tell us which one is the best empanada dough after you've tried all of them, like which one is the best for meats, and which one is the best for sweets ha ha :)ReplyDelete
Not done trying them all Nathan, not only will we have to figure out which is best for meat or sweets, but fried or baked. Oh my, we may never finish!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 8, 2010 at 11:10 AM
thats funny. Is this spanish???ReplyDelete
Yes Anonymous the title is in Spanish!ReplyDelete
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text:
Often, we early childhood teachers turn their focus to the skills that look nice and neat on a checklist - recognizing letters and numbers, assembling a puzzle, pedaling a tricycle. It is often more challenging to assess a child's social and emotional development. Often, parents ask the preschool teacher, "Is my child ready for kindergarten?" And the discussion usually begins, and too often ends, with talking about STUFF the child "knows" - the cognitive aspect of development. But we know that being "ready" for school is so much more that letters, numbers, and shapes! We need to raise children who are NICE human beings – the kind who know how to get along with others. Here are a few books that will turn the classroom spotlight onto behaviors that promote love, peace, and kindness. Go hug somebody!
I Did It, I'm Sorry by Caralyn Buehner: This book has different behavioral scenarios followed by multiple choice answers. It's a great book to read over time or teachers can read scenarios that relate to things that are happening in the classroom. A preschool teacher I work with reads one scenario each day and the children have the opportunity to discuss and illustrate the best choice. (Thanks to Ms. Renee for sharing this book and idea with me!)
It's Mine! by Leo Lioni: Three frogs learn the value of sharing. Here's a spin on "Show and Tell." Instead of calling it Show and Tell, I called it Sharing Day. Depending on the number of children in your class, you can have Sharing Day 2-5 times a week. I assigned one day of the week to 3-5 children. For example, Billy, Monica, and Susanne might have Sharing Day on Monday; Kayla, Lauren, and David would be assigned to Tuesday, etc (I made a huge chart with the days of the week across the top and children's names and pictures under each day – this way children and parents would remember their day). During Sharing Time, each child gets to sit in the rocking chair and tell us three things about their item. The rest of the students get to ask questions (learning to ask appropriate and relevant questions is a skill that children can learn in Pre-K and K – I used to tell the students, a question is something that you want to know about your friend's item). After the children told us about the items, we would sit them on a special shelf for other children to actually play with. Sharing is a skill that children are just learning and sharing something that they brought from home is hard. So keep it short so that the child can return his item to his/her cubby. The other children learn how to be extra careful with an item that belongs to someone else. Of course, in the beginning of the year, I send home a note to parents about the goals and procedures of Sharing Time; this way, parents understand that it's not wise to send something that is irreplaceable or extremely valuable. You can also visit my previous article for more ideas on It's Mine by Leo Lioni!
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister: The most beautiful fish in the ocean won't share his shiny scales which leaves him lonely. As a follow up art activity, give each child a few pre-cut fish scales (finger-paint paper works well since it's shiny and flexible). Allow them to paint them various colors ("marbling" works well too) and sprinkle with glitter. When they are all dry, attach them to one big Rainbow Fish to hang in the classroom. Looking for more, fishy ideas?
Because of You by B.G. Hennessy: Children learn that they have can have a positive impact in the world. Even young children can learn the value of volunteer service. Children can (with the help of parents) collect hats/mittens for a local shelter, paint a mural for a local senior citizen's building, sing songs at a nursing home, or help students in a younger classroom.
Swimmy by Leo Lioni: Swimmy and his friends learn that teamwork works! Make a bulletin board display entitled "Fishing for Teamwork" and post photographs (with captions) of children engaged in everyday teamwork activities. Examples: cleaning up block area together, carrying a tub of sand, sharing play-dough, etc. You'll find that as you start to highlight teamwork, the children will bring instances of teamwork to your attention so that you can put it on the bulletin board.
Can You Say Peace? By Karen Katz and The Peace Book by Todd Parr are both books that help make an abstract concept, such as peace, meaningful to young children. Make a peace mobile or learn about the kindness campaign by visiting Celebrating Peace. SOMETHING TO CONSIDER: During this time of war, we have to be considerate and respectful of our troops. Be mindful if children begin to talk about war and/or soldiers. Regardless of our grown-up opinions of the war, we don't want to suggest to children that our troops are not peaceful. It is hard for children to understand that soldiers, who children may associate with weapons, are peaceful. It is most important that you tread these waters carefully since some of your students may have family members who are in the Armed Forces.
Teaching Peace by Red Grammer OK, OK, OK.... so this one isn't really a book. But the songs on this CD will encourage and inspire! With songs such as Teaching Peace, Say Hi, and I Think You're Wonderful, you and your children will be singing these catchy lyrics in no time.
Join In and Play by Cheri Meiners: This book is part of a series that includes Talk and Work it Out, Share and Take Turns, Be Polite and Kind, and Understand and Care. They make a great addition to a classroom library since they can help children discuss real-case scenarios, feelings, and possible solutions. Of course, real-life situations are often the best teachable moments but these books can help children begin to think about their feelings and the feelings of others.


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17 to 25 February 2007
This was a catch-all birding/snorkeling/touring holiday with a group of 5 friends to Luzon and Palawan, over the Chinese New Year holidays from 17 to 25 February 2007. I was the only birder, so all birding sessions were on my own, except when I joined up with local birders at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park aka PPSRNP (Dr Aldrin Mallari on Day 3), El Nido (Roger Cotin from Day 5 to 7) and Mt Palay-Palay (members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines like Nicky Icarangal, Tere, Alex Tiongco, Mike Lu etc on Day 9). As I was the chief planner for the trip, I tried my best to maximize birding opportunities. We flew into Manila and took internal flights to Puerto Princesa, capital of Palawan.
Crabs extruding boli of processed sand on Sabang Beach.
This is Whitey, the stray doggie that 'birded' with me in PPSRNP for 4½ hours!! Unwanted company of course, costing me my Red-bellied Pitta. He followed me from pre-dawn to lunch time, from the beach to the forest to the end point at the Underground River. Still, when he finally departed (lured by the food of other tourists), I managed to get the key ground birds like the Palawan Peacock Pheasant, Ashy-headed Babbler and Tabon Scrubfowl, phew!
Me at the cave entrance to the Underground River, the world's longest. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Essentially, its a river flowing through a 8km long cavenous passage full of icky bats, stalactites and stalagmites. My friends did the river cruise, I didn't have time to.
Found this toad in the leaf litter at dusk, just before I realized I was lost in the jungles. A terrible ordeal...you can read more about it in the Day 3 portion of my journal. Made me infamous in the Philippines birding circle, as the idiot who got lost in Palawan. Actually, Ding Li told me that he and his buddy almost got lost too in these tricky forests, where paths fade into non-paths most readily.The 2 days of idyllic island hopping at El Nido (Spanish for 'The Nest', owing its name to the edible bird nests harvested from the area's limestone cliffs) were most therapeutic. We were treated to the best beaches ever, snorkelling amongst colourful fishes, and exploring the sea caves hidden amongst the stunning limestone karsts that characterize the seascape. I saw my first Yellow-lipped Sea Krait (Laticauda colubrina) here. All sea snakes are highly venomous, but I remained calm, even fascinated, as I watched the graceful movements of the krait weaving in and out of corals just 2.5 meters below me. Exhilarating! Didn't dive this time round.
part. Therefore, the resultant fauna, birdlife in particular, has somewhat a mixture of
elements from both bioregions, although at any rate, it shares a greater similarity to fauna in
Borneo and mainland Asia." Separated by the Sulu Sea from the main Philippine Archipelago, Palawan's bird life is, as such, very different from mainland Filipino birds. Its isolation is also prime target for allopatric speciation, resulting in its 17 endemic birds. Met up with Roger Cotin again in Palawan's capital Puerto Princesa (5 hours drive or 8 hours boat ride from El Nido) where he lives. We birded the Irawan River for about an hour or so in the evening where we got birds like the Blue-naped Monarch and Palawan Flowerpecker (an endemic).
Nicky Icarangal, member of the WBCP and my bird guide for Mt Palay-Palay. Here, we are standing on the cliff overlooking the Caylabne Bay Resort, where we picked up birds like the Philppine Swiftlet (endemic), Island Swiftlet and White-breasted Woodswallow. Nicky proved to be an excellent guide, even scoping birds for me. He guides professionally for bird tours, and can be contacted at Tel 0916-476-9529 or email@example.com. The latest is that he has already set up his own bird tour business. His services are highly recommended.
My full journal is horribly long, as such, I have only picked out the 2 key birding days of the trip - Days 3 (in Palawan's PPSRNP) & 9 (in Luzon's Mt Palay-Palay) - to feature here. My full annotated bird list can be found at the end of this report. Even though I painstakingly marked out crosses for the birds recorded at the various birding locales, the excel file could not be transferred wholesale into this blog without being a total mess. As such, my bird list is only categorized by general area - ie Palawan and Luzon.
Day 3 - 19 Feb 2007 Birding in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP)
Everything at the Last Frontier Resort, and perhaps even the entire Sabang town, shuts down at 11pm everyday, with generators grinding to a halt to mark the day's end. Thankfully, the nights were fairly cool and even without air con or fan, we slept through the night. Roused myself at 430am when my handphone alarm pierced the night. Had to grope around in the dark as I prepared for the long day ahead, using my handphone's glow as a makeshift torch. At 530am, I was thankful that the kitchen staff had not forgotten my pre-ordered packed breakfast and lunch, even clearly labeling the sandwiches in two separate brown bags.
I walked alone into the cool night, relying entirely on night vision to navigate the dark dirt track. Loud music blasted from the guard post as I strolled past, presumably as a deterrent to intruders. Out in the streets, all was quiet as I trod my way in the direction of the breaking surf. I felt a sense of relief as I hit the beach, comforted by the coastline and the hint of dawn on the far horizon. The beach was truly beautiful in its elemental form, bathed by long gentle waves, with a lovely massif as its backdrop. But the peace was rudely shattered by the barking of suspicious dogs as I progressed down the 1 km sandy stretch, and I felt a sense of fear creep into me. I readied my torch, prepared to strike out should an attack occur.
Three of these dogs congregated on me, but thankfully they were more concerned about outdoing each other than doing me in. Then my guardian angel, a white dog that Aldrin called 'Whitey', made its appearance. Whitey was to follow me for the next 4½ hours, unfortunately, to the detriment of bird sightings. At first, I was wary of his intentions, quite certain that it had sniffed out my breakfast and lunch that was safely tucked away in my backpack. I thought it would stop following me when I hit the jungle trails, but alas, he gamely ambled up the stairs and trudged on with me wherever I went. Dang.
After an hour of brisk walking, covering the approximately 3km from my resort to the Central Ranger Station (600m – resort to beach, 1km – beach to mangrove paddle hut, 1.4km – mangrove paddle hut to CRS), I signed in at the log book at 640am. By then, the sun had already brightened the skies sufficiently to begin my birding in earnest. Sunrise was at 615am, and I thought that Neil Aldrin Mallari, who was also at the PPSRNP at the same time as me (16-22 Feb), would have left for his transect walk in his study of the endemic Palawan Peacock Pheasant. And so I was surprised as I walked by the staff quarters, when this friendly guy approached me and called out my name, hands outstretched in a handshake. Ah, Aldrin!
He was really nice, walking me to the start of the Jungle Trail, telling me to look out for the bend 300m from the starting point, where the 3 Flycatchers (Palawan Blue, Blue Paradise, and Citrine Canary) could be found. He also told me to follow the red markings along the way. Trails were steep, he warned. I groaned internally, envisioning it to be Chiang Dao (Nature Trail) steep, but thankfully, these trails were a lot more walkable than Chiang Dao's. Aldrin was really sweet, he tried enticing Whitey to follow him back to base camp, but Whitey took his cue only from moi. So I had to pretend I was following behind both of them, making the dog overtake me as I stomped my feet to simulate footsteps. Dear Whitey was gone for less than 5 minutes when he suddenly shot back like an arrow, running first into the Monkey Trail, and sensing I had not taken this, backtracked and ran up the stairs of the Jungle Trail straight back to me. Damn, I was freakin' stuck with this dog!!!
Thankfully, there were still birds that did not fear dogs (and humans). My first bird was the endemic Shelly's Sunbird, seen very briefly as it flitted about in the sun, red shoulders very apparent and beautiful. Then a huge colourful sign marking the 300m point, caused me to stop and search for those flycatchers. There was much promising rustling in the bushes, but stare as I might, no FCs materialized. Things were slow, I encountered NO birdwaves at all in the Philippines (Ding Li described these in his Palawan Paper), and I felt somewhat bored. Dear Whitey simply laid down on the path as I birded. I felt sorry for him as millions of mozzies feasted off his doggy blood, targeting his feet (which had the least fur). His only defense was his powerful jaws, which he snapped shut often enough at these pests, but unfortunately to no avail. There was no point blaming the dog for my birdless state, as he was already suffering. My greatest fear was that he would attack the ground birds (Ashy-headed Babbler, Red-bellied Pitta, Tabon Scrubfowl, Palawan Peacock Pheasant), but Whitey proved to be very disciplined, rarely venturing ahead of me. I figured that if the dog was scaring away the ground birds, I still had my chance with tree birds.
After almost an hour of birdlessness, suddenly an endemic White-vented Shama winged across my path. Saw this bird (Ding Li calls it a Trash bird) quite a few more times. It always sang a loud pretty song, ensconced within the safety of thick undergrowth. Lots of Rufous-tailed Tailorbird called from the bushes too, and I finally sighted one up close as I chomped down my brunch, which I was obliged to share with Whitey. At first I fed Whitey the choicest chicken cuts, which he expertly and appreciatively caught in midair. Then I experimented with a little bread, and he ate that too. So at least I didn't have to be vegetarian to dine with a dog.
I was determined to locate the source of a bird that went 'Hwee-Tee8', and I was quite pleased to find it with my bins after some scanning, as it sat upright in a faraway tree. My notes said 'Blue with whitish bill, fat like a drongo' (it sat in a deep shadows) – the endemic Blue Paradise Flycatcher. My next bird flew within 5 meters of me, as I quickly jotted down and drew its main features – the Grey-cheeked Bulbul, another lifer. Refocusing my bins, I was ecstatic to discover that a Palawan Blue Flycatcher was perched beyond the Bulbul, silent and unmoving in the forest gloom. I felt the pressure ease somewhat when I saw this endemic. Then a group of Striped-tit Babblers frolicked in a nearby tree, and I thought they looked quite different from those found in Singapore. To me, the stripes on their throat/breast were not as prominent as the Singapore species. I also had good views of a Pygmy Flowerpecker. Then quite miraculously, the elusive Melodious Babbler made its appearance, its grey face and rufous tail very apparent. Also saw the rather plain looking Mangrove Whistler. Strangely in Palawan, this bird is rarely found in mangroves, but occupies a forest niche instead.
At this point, I was nearing the 2nd ranger station at the Underground River. Whitey had already disappeared (I was hoping for good), bounding ahead towards the beginning of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Subterranean River, where there would be lots more folks to feed him. I was tempted to turn back and lose him for good, firmly believing that he was the cause of much birdlessness. Thank God I referred to Ding Li's notes and realized with a jolt that I had yet to see the piece de resistance of Palawan's avian offering – the Palawan Peacock Pheasant, which was supposed to be lurking near the Ranger Station. I had to traverse a steep limestone outcrop, descending a series of wooden stairs, braving also the Long-tailed Macaque troops as they defended their territory with rather menacing growls.
Then I saw it. The sheer stunning presence of the Palawan Peacock Pheasant drove away all dog-related blues. The dear male bird (the famous tame one that has been hanging around the Ranger Station for the last couple of years) was pecking the forest floor about 8 meters from me, in full view on the path itself, oblivious to my presence. A feeling of exultation swept over me as I savoured every detail of its resplendent feathers for the next 3 minutes: its short perky crest, bold white lined face, and the bejeweled blue ocelli on its tail. Then the bird scampered into the undergrowth, and for the next 10 minutes, I could see parts of its body even closer up as it worked the ground 3-5 meters from me. Feeling high from the sighting, I walked the 15 m to the Ranger Station where a group of rangers were barbecuing some freshly caught squid and fish, with at least 3 huge monitor lizards hanging around for scraps. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the movement of what I thought initially were chickens. Peering through my bins, I realized with a pleasant jolt that I was staring at a pair of Tabon Scrubfowl, behaving like chickens by kicking the earth to expose its tunneling inhabitants. Two 2 big lifers within the space of minutes was enough to send me into a rapturous state.
I even felt goodwill towards Whitey when I spotted him again amongst the life vest clad crowds of young Filipino awaiting their turn for the boat ride into the Subterranean River. The crowds were too thick for me to contemplate the 45-minute 2-km ride to see Palawan's biggest tourist attraction. My friends did the ride. Lionel had to maneuver a powerful beam as the guide pointed out stalactites and stalagmites that resembled religious figures like Mother Mary etc. Marcus even caught a picture of a bat frozen in time as the flash illuminated it against the cavernous protrusions. I was surprised that the waters at The Underground River were a fetching emerald green, shimmering attractively in the morning sun (11am). Palawan Swiftlets hawked the air at the mouth of the 8km cave-river, the world's longest.
By this time, I was nearly out of drinking water and was hoping to buy some, but depressingly, tourist facilities were sorely lacking in The Phillippines, and I was shocked that there were no vendors peddling anything, much less water. If this were Thailand, one could be expected to be swamped by now with souvenir sellers and food hawkers. I took a little break by sea, finishing up my sandwich, as numerous Glossy Swiftlets zipped about the beachfront. I was more than a little relieved that there was no Whitey around to bother me.
Along the way back, I encountered the Shelly's sunbird again, the Grey-cheeked Bulbul and the endemic Sulphur-bellied Bulbul. As I paused to catch my breath at the mangrove swamp/limestone area, I was pleased to spot the outrageously coloured Palawan Flowerpecker, another endemic. Saw both sexes clearly, the most prominent and distinguishing feature linking the sexes being their white malar stripes. Back in the forest, a movement in the undergrowth swiveled my attention to a foraging Ashy-headed Babbler. At first, I thought this bird looked similarly colored to the Eye-browed Thrush, especially with the orange flanks on its belly. I had the impression that the Ashy-headed Babbler was a tree bird, and it was Roger Cotin who helped me ID it, when I described it to him. Earlier on, I had seen this bird, but it had been too quick for me.
My desire was also to see the Red-bellied Pitta, which Aldrin reported was harder and harder to come by. He told me that the last few times they sighted the bird, it was always perched on a rocky / limestone outcrop of some sort. With no dog in tow, I prayed for one to materialize, as I relentlessly scanned the forest floor ahead of me. No luck. Instead, I got a male Emerald Dove waddling around and prodding the ground for tid bits. I also noticed lots of black daddy-long-legs (spiders) with white eyes walking the path atop the forest litter, and a juvenile Green Crested Lizard perched on an open shrub, an agamid found also in Singapore. The afternoon sun gave way to a mild drizzle and I resigned myself to a birdless, dogless walk back.
Arriving at the Central Ranger Station, I bumped into the young Italian staying there, and asked him for water, which he generously poured out of a gallon container for me. He was there with another Italian, and both were filming the place for some documentary programme. I was envious that he could take a cool swim in the sea, a laid-back balmy lifestyle that suited me well.
Glossy green-black Spangled Drongos were prominent in their aerial displays and loud calls on the trees that surrounded the CRS. Amongst these, I found a lone Bar-bellied Cuckoo Shrike. Then I located the Asian Drongo Cuckoo that was calling incessantly, my best view so far, where I could even see the white barrings on its undertail. Also spotted the Brown Shrike and the White-throated Kingfisher. At around 230pm, I asked for Aldrin who had just finished his 6km transect walk, and was getting ready to take a much deserved nap. I wished I had a place to rest too. I asked him to show me the Loop Trail which Ding Li had drawn. He led me down a confusing path, and told me to look out for pink ribbons tied to trees, which was supposed to mark out this trail. Along the way, we both heard the familiar calls of the Asian Koel.
Then Aldrin left me, as I trudged alone into the Loop Trail. After picking my way through the thick undergrowth, in a straight line (as drawn out on Ding Li's map) for about 100m, I realized that I could not find the trail proper. I decided to head back, and using two prominent buttress trees as markers, tried to find the path out again. After some ½ hour of searching among the thorny brambles, I found another pink ribbon and then another, and suddenly found myself back at the CRS, albeit at a point different from where I started out.
I decided that the closed forest was not where I wanted to be, and to take a real break at the beach. Godfrey the CRS ranger, joined me in the little hut facing the noon sea. We chatted about this 23-year career as a ranger. He has a wife and daughter in Puerto Princesa, but has to live 5 days, out of 7 days in the National Park. He only gets to return home on Friday afternoons. I asked him for some drinking water and he led me into a bare kitchen where he poured out boiled water from a thermos and placed my water bottle in a pail of cool water to dissipate the heat. I commented that I was quite tired, and he suggested that I take the supply ferry back to Sabang instead of having to walk the 3km back. We could already see the ferry approaching, laden with bamboo, for them to construct some structure. Since I wanted to find more birds, especially the 2 endemic parrots and Palawan Hornbill, I declined.
Godfrey preferred being by the beach in the day, as there were no mosquitoes, because of the swiftlets around. He claimed that there were no mozzies at night too, because of the bats. I was intrigued, it explained the thick concentrations of mozzies in the jungles. I told him that I had yet to see the Palawan Hornbill or the two parrots (Blue-naped and Racket-tailed). He said that all 3 birds could be found around the CRS, especially if there were fruiting trees around (he told me of one by the beach). I can only blame myself for being complacent. Earlier in the morning, I had most certainly heard all 3 birds high up on the canopy level, but I chose to focus on the undergrowth, thinking that I could catch up with them later. On the way to the fruiting tree, I bumped into Aldrin again, who enquired of the success of the Loop Trail. He was dismayed that I could not find the trail, and was determined that I should see the Falcated Ground (Wren) Babbler which can be quite easily spotted at B9, just beyond the fallen tree at B8.
He brought me back to the Loop Trail, via another entry point, and this time the trail was quite obvious, and I felt confidence returning. The only thing was that the entry point had no clear trails. I began memorizing landmarks on the way in. He asked if I had his mobile number, and should I get lost, to call him. The trail is marked with pink ribbons B1 means 100m from the CRS, B2 – 200m etc. So B9 seemed like a short 900m away. At B8, I lost the path at the humongous fallen tree. I searched for about 15 minutes, and decided to head back. The path was supposed to lead to B9 and the bird, and then turn right into the mangroves/river trail, looping back to the bridge.
By then it was already 530pm. Nightfall was about 6pm. The undulating and steep terrain did not make matters easier. The only bird I saw the entire time was the retreating form of a female Palawan Peacock Pheasant. Did not even hear the rise-fall call of the Falcated Ground Babbler. At B2.5, I was confused by the presence of a river. I recalled crossing 2 rivers on the way in, and coming upon B2.5. So I confidently stepped into the river, and heard the plopping sounds of frogs/toads jumping into the water to escape me. I couldn't find any path at all after the river, I again used several trees as markers. I started to panic. By this time, things were getting dark and my watch read 6pm. The prospect of being trapped in a thorny, horrid forest, with hardly any water or food was very scary. I was thinking to myself, what was I doing in such a crummy place on the 2nd day of the Chinese New Year?
I kept my bins and camera and picked up my phone to call Aldrin. To my utter horror, I realized that I did not have his mobile number after all. I then decided to call WBCP president Mike Lu, who was in Hong Kong at that time, attending his grandma's funeral. What a bad timing, I thought, to talk to Mike for the first time and instead of sending my condolences, to have to ask for help. But I had no choice. The reception was very poor in the forest, and after some difficulty (I had to hold the phone up high using my body as a conductor), I got through to Mike. There was more technical communication breakdown with about 3 calls in all, while precious minutes ticked by. I finally got Aldrin's mobile number from Mike. As an added insurance, I told Mike where I was, at B250, in case I was not heard from again. By then, the skies were really getting dark. When my phone refused to connect with Aldrin's because of non-existent reception, I tasted real fear. I couldn't believe that I had got myself into such a fix. I had next to no water, very little food, my torch was not working, and there was nobody coming to rescue me. I felt like crying. I decided to go to B250 anyway.
Then I realized that I had veered myself off the main path because of the stupid river. I noticed that the path actually continued on, and I quickly ran down this way. I came to this line of planted dumbcane like plants which held another path perpendicular to the main one. I recalled seeing this plant, as one of my landmarks on the way in. The only thing was that I couldn't recall which direction I should turn. I decided to try the right path first, which ended in a huge tree. Circumventing the tree, the path continued onwards, and I definitely didn't remember going that far. So I headed back, trying the left path this time. Again, no luck. Then I decided to forge on ahead, following the general direction of the main path, which had by then disintegrated into jumbled jungle. About 50m onward, I suddenly saw the shapes of houses, and a sense of relief swept over me. I bashed through the shrubbery and emerged into the sprawling grounds of the CRS yet again. Phew.
I glanced at my watch – it was around 630pm. Out in the open, the skies were somewhat brighter. I decided that my priority was to get out of the jungles fast. I didn't have time to drop by Aldrin's. I still had 3km to go, this time on a properly marked-out path. And so I ran on, relying entirely on night vision as darkness fell. I felt some confusion when I didn't see the bridge, and instead came upon a beach. Suddenly I remembered Whitey and our walk along the beach before coming to the forest. So I thought that the beach had to be the right way to go. The beach also reassured me, at least if I had to camp overnight, it was in an open area. I tried furiously to recall details of the 3km route. I also called Lionel to tell him that I was about 1.4km from civilization. Then before I knew it, I stepped into soft sand, with both feet sinking in completely as I had to cross a mini beach river. My waterproof Timberland was useless, as sand and water seeped into my shoes and socks via the top. A minor annoyance, I thought, compared to the ordeal I had been through.
Little did I know that the sand carried with it sandflies or biting insects of some sort. That night, I felt an itch developing and noticed some bumps on my feet which I thought was caused by wearing a soaked shoe. Back in Singapore, for the next few weeks, I suffered terribly from 70 bites on my left foot alone. The itch was incredible, with the entire area above my toes covered in dense red dots that freaked everybody out. I suppose the bites were not only from Sabang, but El Nido too, as my body itself had bites, in all, totaling about 150!
Then more barking dogs silhouetted in the dark assaulted my senses. These were quite aggressive, emerging from thatched houses and barking their lungs out as they advanced towards me. I became somewhat fearful again, I couldn't even approach these houses to ask for directions without the risk of getting bitten. I was also afraid of stepping on nocturnal snakes. The fears were endless, but at least I knew Sabang and safety was about 1km away. Onward I forged, and finally, I saw a soothing and very welcoming sight – a beautiful, romantically lit restaurant, the Green Verde. Its owner greeted me. I asked him where Tribal Restaurant was (where my friends were dining), and he said 900m away. I felt a sense of depression as I contemplated walking another kilometer. He asked if I wanted some dinner, and out of sheer weariness, I decided to have something to eat/drink first.
Good thing I did. Ordered a very delicious Buttered Prawn with Oyster Sauce dish and rice, and drank tonnes of water. Nine fresh, succulent prawns savoured slowly calmed me down. Ah, civilization, how nice. A group of about 12 German tourists making merry by the beach contributed to the sense of relief. I finally remembered that I was on holiday and not torture camp. Then I felt more happiness as I spied Whitey amongst a group of dogs – so he made it back too!
After dinner, I loaded my bag with more water, and walked back along the dark beach. Within 5 minutes, I saw my 4 friends huddled inside a restaurant. My spirits lifted considerably, although I felt sheepish for getting lost a 3rd time. Tucked into more food – sinigang soup and the biggest cuttlefish/squid we had ever eaten, about 4 times the size of a regular big squid. Yum. Good to be with company, with torches no less, to walk the final distance to the Last Frontier resort.
PS: I had SMSed Mike immediately to tell him that I had escaped the clutches of the dark jungles, but my message couldn't be transmitted till 2 days later. Back in Singapore, Aldrin wrote to say that he received a call at 9pm that fateful day, saying that I was lost somewhere at B250. He was having supper at that time, but he abandoned that, and put together a team of 8 to go in search of me! How touching. They went to B250, and even all the way to B600. They were relieved to learn that I was fine (only days later), and had extricated myself from the mess at 630pm. Even at Mt Palay-Palay, 6 days later, the first thing those birders greeted me was 'I heard you were lost'. Eeeks, so embarrassing!
Day 9 - 25 Feb 2007 Birding Mount Palay-Palay in Ternate, Cavite
Roused myself at the unearthly hour of 3am to prepare to meet WBCP (Wildbird Club of the Philippines) birders at 4am for the 2-hour drive (75km) to Mt. Palay-Palay National Park in Ternate, Cavite. They came in a big jeep to pick me up at the Somerset Millennium Makati, and I was told that there were other guests too, an American couple just posted to the Philippines to work for the next 3 years. In all, there were 8 of us in 2 cars – Alex Tiongco, Tere, Nicky Icarangal, another Alex, 'Boy', and Americans Debbie (wildlife biologist specialising in the Mexican Spotted Owl and the Flammulated Owl, David (USAid) and moi.
Along the way there, I chatted with Tere', a 50-plus year lady that was unusually cheery at 430am in the morning. She kept me in conversation the entire 2 hours, driving the sleep from my heavy lids eventually.
Arrived just before sunrise at 615am at Mt Palay-Palay. Relieved myself in the bushes before we began our trek down and up the 385 meters 'mountain'. We were very lucky to be led by Nicky, a professional bird guide of 5 years with Ben King's Kingbird Tours and Tim Fisher (who has been organising Phil tours for 20 years). Nicky had literally just finished a 2-month tour of The Philippines (since Dec 26 imagine!) with a foreign group, arriving in Manila after an 8 hour ride from Banaue (rice terraces) the night before, and he still came birding with us! I really had no reason to complain about sleepiness.
Ah, thanks to Nicky's sharp eyes and Kowa scope, we were soon enjoying good views of my first lifer, the endemic Philippines Fairy Bluebird. Lifer upon lifer came forth as we birded the wide granite strewn path flanked by forest on both sides.
We tried to draw out certain birds with Nicky excellent set-up of I-Pod bird recordings and speaker attached professionally to his belt. The Spotted Wood Kingfisher and White-browed Shama responded beautifully, but to our utmost frustration, remained well hidden behind and/or amongst the bushes, just out of sight. Only Alex Tiongco caught sight of the KF, while the rest of us walked away empty handed.
I noticed that recorded calls were almost always repetitive and monotonal, versus the actual calls of the birds when they responded, which not only had the motif in the recording, but a more varied and colourful repertoire that floors the imagination. Because I had begun to notice and become familiar with bird calls after one year in the field and much listening of the NSS bird call CD, I had earlier realised in Sabang that birds gave out more than one call. For example, just outside my room at the Last Frontier Resort (now renamed the Green Forest Paradise Resort), was the strange opening tune of the Plaintive Cuckoo that sounded like a variation of the song 'This old man, he played one…', which I thought at first was someone whistling. Then, the same bird produced its familiar dropping notes. I knew that both calls came from the same bird because of similar tonal qualities and timbre.
I became especially inspired when I learnt that this bird guide in Central/South America was so good with bird calls and songs that he had the honour of 'discovering' the most new species of birds in recent years, based on their unique vocalisations. I have also been reading lots of scientific literature on the fundamental role of bird calls to the birds themselves, which was key in identifying one bird to another of the same species, and was especially vital in mating rituals. In El Nido, I was determined to see this bird with a strange whining call, and was quite taken aback when I found out that it was produced by the ubiquitous Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, a bird that I already knew had a wide range of calls. So the NSS CD is truly one-dimensional. We do not get to appreciate the full range and beauty of bird calls from that CD alone. But I suppose field recordings does have its difficulties. Also, its terribly confusing learning calls that are all jumbled up, and not in taxonomic order. The CD was quite obviously placed in order of recording and not taxonomy. So when international birders I've birded with mention that a certain bird had a 'tit-like' call, I had next to no idea what they meant, although I had listened to tit calls up and down Japan. Have only myself to blame for being terribly non-gifted in this aspect of birding. Ah, still much to learn.
While waiting for the Spotted Wood Kingfisher to make its appearance, a Grey-backed Tailorbird was calling loudly from a low shrub, but none of us managed to locate it. Philippine Bulbuls were prominent in their loud calls, group gatherings, and bold flying, making them the most conspicuous birds at Palay-Palay. We were very lucky to encounter flocks of Tarictic (Luzon) Hornbills that totalled about 17 in all, majestic birds that were much desired. One Rufous Hornbill seemed to be mixed with this flock, which was perched for a long time in a tree. Two Rufous Hornbills flew by, giving some of us good views. At that time of the fly-by, I was admiring the scoped view of the Bar-bellied Cuckoo Shrike.
Another lifer for me was the Grey-streaked Flycatcher, which turned out to be quite common (about 5 individuals seen alone throughout the trail). We had good views of both female and male Blue Rock Thrush. The male looked particularly alluring with its blood red belly contrasting with its Grey Blue feathers, very different from those found in Northern Thailand.
Then, two Greater Flameback flew into the same bare tree as the Tarictic Hornbills, splendid in their perky crowns and bold red feathers, again looking very different from the Common Flameback back home. Woodpeckers always make me happy. Then Nicky and I spotted some activity near the canopy level and upon looking at the bird, I thought it was a Green Imperial Pigeon, but Nicky knew better. He scoped for me the Black-chinned Fruit Dove, where I could clearly see its diagnostic black chin. The scope really was a big help in pinpointing exact IDs.
Then the familiar birds of Singapore began to show. The sharp eyes of Alex and Tere found us the incessant 'pok pok pok' call of the Coppersmith Barbet, a lifer for the Americans. In fact, practically every bird was a lifer for them. We also got the Yellow-vented Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole and Brahminy Kite. Thankfully, the birds in Luzon overlap only minimally with Singapore's birds (belonging to the Sunda region). To me, this provided far more exciting birding than at Palawan, which shares a huge proportion of birds with the Sunda/Bornean region.
Glossy and Pygmy Swiftlets were constantly gleaning the air for its insects. The air was also alive with the calls of hidden birds that stayed hidden. Such birds included the deep coos of the Luzon Bleeding Heart (a No. 1 endemic dove) emanating from thick cover, the Elegant Tit, the Colasisi (this mini parrot flew by at least twice, but I was too complacent to raise my bins), Philippine Trogon, White-eared Brown Dove, Sooty Woodpecker and White-browed Shama. The White-browed Shama was particularly vexing. We spent nearly ½ hour trying to draw it out with tapes, even trudging through thick undergrowth to find it. But much to our dismay, we didn't.
I was very pleased with the birding at Palay-Palay. Lifers piled up quickly. Next on the circuit came the Pygmy Flowerpecker (saw it earlier in Palawan), the Red Keeled Flowerpecker (juvenile), and the Philippine Coucal, which flew across our paths, giving me clear views of its magnificent coat, reminiscent of the Greater Coucal. Then my trip favourite entered the scene, the unique Red-crested Malkoha, which we saw about 4 times in all, once very clearly through Nicky's scope. The bare red face of the Coleto also proved a curious sight, but I dipped out on the Balicassiao which flew by in a flurry of feathers.
Alex next located the high perch of the tiniest Filipino raptor the Philippine Falconet, which again we got good views of in the scope. I was really thankful to Nicky for generously guiding, scoping, calling out birds thru tapes, and identifying them for us. It made forest birding that much more enjoyable. We also saw the black and white wings of an escaping Osprey.
The skies held a soaring Philippine Serpent Eagle as the rays of the sun intensified. This is a recent split from the Crested SE, and the bird constantly emitted a high-pitch scream. Then I caught an unsatisfactory glimpse of the parrot Guaibero, as it hopped from a lower to a higher branch. I had only myself to kick for not bothering to take a closer look as it flew by on at least 5 earlier occasions.
Our last bird of Palay-Palay was the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, to me indistinguishable from the Sunda Pygmy. At least the Grey-capped (Kirirom) and Japanese Pygmy looked slightly different.
We rewarded ourselves with bah kwa (courtesy of moi), dried Cebu mangoes, peanuts, guazhi, tuna sandwiches and cold orange juice (courtesy of Alex). Then both cars drove out to the look-out point which gave us fantastic views of Caylabne resort and its adjoining blue seas. Over here, I added another 3 lifers – the Philippine Swiftlet (with an off-white rump), the Island (Uniform) Swiftlet and the White-bellied Wood Swallow.
I was quite embarrassed to learn that the trip was planned around me. Usually, Palay-Palay was a full day's birding, but because of my 830pm flight, it was a morning only session. Since we still had time, Tere suggested checking out the coast of Manila Bay (Coastal Lagoon). We drove the 2 hours there, while Nicky and I napped, with a toilet break at a Castrol station in between. Finally, we arrived at a dilapidated hut standing over waters, near the Mall of Asia (a sprawling complex that is 3 times the size of Glorietta). We were quite disappointed to see that it was high-tide. But the combined sharp eyes of all birders helped spot the Great Egret, Little Egret, Little Heron and Grey Heron on the far banks. Lots of Whiskered Terns criss-crossed the air above the waters and I stared hard, trying to locate the white rump of a White-winged Tern, to no avail. Then we spotted a flock of possible Common Greenshank flying faraway, while Alex located a similar flock of Black-winged Stilt, my last lifer of the trip!
After that, we proceeded to a bay side strip of restaurants, for our lunch at Gerry's Grill. Good Filipino food. At least I got my last taste of my favourite Siningang soup. Then they dropped me off at the Somerset at 430pm. I repacked my stuff, and at 5pm, decided to take a walk to the park nearby. Over here, I only spotted the Brown Shrike and plenty of Yellow-vented Bulbuls, apart from the ubiquitous Eurasian Tree Sparrows. Hopped over to the convenience store opposite the Somerset for some bakery products for dinner. Then Sze Wei returned, and I got to meet her pregnant friend and husband, rich Filipinos that lived a pampered life.
It was the airport next, and we both managed to slip water into the aircraft (liquids are banned as they could be potential explosives). Chatted with Sze Wei in the waiting lounge while the clock ticked on, marking the 1-hour delay of the flight.
Then it was the misery of a 3½ hour budget flight (Cebu Pacific) back home. All the time, we were seated in a ramrod straight chair. I realised only later that it was because we were in the row before the exit row, and as such, chairs could not be lowered. Despite the discomfort, we slept on, in all sorts of inventive positions till we arrived at 1am at the Budget Terminal. Luckily, both of us had the latest biometric passport, which allowed instant clearance at customs. Then it was a quick cab ride back to home sweet home.
List of Birds Seen In Palawan
Birding Spots: Sabang, PPSRNP (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park), El Nido, Puerto Princesa (town) & Irawan River
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra (Dark morph)
2 birds. On sand spit near the resorts, seen on the boat that took us island hopping.
Little Heron Butorides striatus
Lone bird on rocky river bed. Seen while birding with Roger Cotin
Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana
Lone bird, flying over Sabang in the evening, back to its roost.
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus
Lone bird, hiding in trees.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Seen one by one, perched in fields, over sand flats, rivers etc.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
All over countryside, in association with cattle. Stands at the head of water buffalos to pick up insects stirred up by grazing herd. Flies in flocks to roosting site in the evenings.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Relatively uncommon compared to Cattle Egret. Both speices feed together.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
I seem to have affinity with this bird. Seen in all 4 of my latest trips - Sp, Jpn, Doi & Phil.
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
Apparently domestic fowl also have the white rump, according to Roger, so only way to be sure it's a wild bird is to see it in wild places.
Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi
On hot airport tarmac, out in the open!
Snipe (unidentified, possibly Swinhoe's)
Bambua Resort - flushed from fields. Didn't get good looks.
Palawan Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron emphanum
Tame bird just behind the Underground River Ranger Station - grazing on the path, in full breathtaking.view. Even when it dashed for cover, it was less than 5 m away. 10 minutes of oogling! Saw separate female on Loop Trail, flushed and escaping from moi.
Tabon Scrubfowl Megapodius cummingii
A pair, grazing together. Found about 30m from the Peacock Pheasant. Fantastic views, altho both retreated into cover when they spied me. Behaved like chickens, kicking the ground constantly.
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus palawanus
Only lifer birding with Roger. Saw one bird first, then later on, 3 in all, perched high and flying in their fluttering Accipiter style. Droopy crest, and striped belly were diagnostic.
Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea
First lifer of the trip. Saw it the moment we checked into Bambua, 2 birds perched high on a leafless tree. Everybody (Sze Wei, Marcus, Lionel & Andrew) got looks at it, altho some couldn't see its green wings. Low booming call. Saw it again in the Jungle Trail. Perched high.
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
City bird
Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata
City bird. Common in Puerto. Flocks of it.
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
On Jungle Trail.
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Spotted its nest at Intramurros, on exposed coconut tree! Parent crop-feeding all-white baby. Thought it could be Pied Imperial Pigeon, but Nicky confirmed it was a Rock. Photos.
Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
Very good looks, even saw white barrings on its tail, at Central Ranger Stn. Calling strongly.
Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus
Learnt its pre-call - sounding like 'This Old Man…' song. Woke me up, thought it was someone whistling. Calling just outside room at The Last Frontier. Ding Li told me later that most cuckoos have this call, incl the Rusty-breasted.
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris
My fav bird, 2 of them appeared in scrubby vegetation, on the road up from El Nido (Lally & Abet). V happy to see them.
Lesser Coucal Centropus benghalensis
Heard in countryside.
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
Heard in countryside.
Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia fulciphaga
While island hopping, at Big Lagoon - saw it flying in and out of cave nest. Also saw it in the caves.
Palawan Swiftlet (E)Aerodramus palawanensis
At mouth of Subterranean River.
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta
Everywhere - beaches, countryside, etc. Godffrey, the ranger, said that beaches tend to be mosquito free because of these birds patrolling the skies there. Also, mosquitoes don't bite at night because of feeding bats. Interesting tid-bits there!
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Collared Kingfisher Halcyion chloris
Countryside bird.
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
Countryside bird.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Countryside bird.
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus
Nicky alerted me to this. I recalled seeing a HUGE swift, flying 8m above the Glossy Swiftlets, yet looking 3 times its size.
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Common in the countryside, esp in El Nido. Also at Intramurros, and hotel garden.
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
Roger said this is a relatively uncommon bird. But I saw it on 3 occassions at least, perched high.
Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata
Bad views at PPSRNP, good views at Palay-Palay, thru Nicky's Kowa scope no less!
Yellow-throated Leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis
First seen at Bambua. Several individuals calling noisily to each other. Close-up views in El Nido and Irawan.
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia
Black-headed (Palawan) Bulbul Pycnonoctus atriceps
Tere' asked if I saw the Palawan Bulbul, I said 'huh?'. Found out from her that some consider this a split from the Black-headed. Ding Li confirmed this, but for the time being, I'll still consider it a non-lifer.
Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonoctus plumosus
Surprisingly, found one calling loudly in the city, just outside our Puerto Princesa hotel (Asturias). Good views.
Grey-cheeked Bulbul Criniger bres
The most common bulbul around.
Sulphur-bellied Bulbul Hypsipetes palawanensis
Quite confusing trying to tell the Bulbuls apart.
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
Side-by-side with the Spangled, the Ashy looks slimmer, smaller and more petite. From far, coat colour appears jet-black too.
Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentotus
Dunno why, but it didn't look quite so spectacular as in Kirirom, where I saw 2 fellas glowing kaleidoscopically in the morning sun. When I got lost the 1st night, they were still calling noisily even though it was already dusk, could see it only because it was silhouetted. Also thought I saw the Spotted Wood Owl (or a big bird) flying near the drongos, but I was more concerned with finding my way back to Bambua than looking at birds then.
Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella
Fantastic close-range eye-level views everyday at El Nido (downslope tree). 1-2 of them each time. Its special because this is usually a hard-to-see canopy bird.
Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca
Was amused by its deep throaty call, the 2nd bird encountered at Sabang, just outside our Bambua rooms, before we moved to the Last Frontier Resort. Much smaller than our House Crow.
Ashy-headed Babbler Tichastoma cinereiceps
Hopping on the ground, cute, inquisitive bird. Had the wrong impression that this was a tree babbler, so was glad that Roger helped ID it. Good and long views.
Melodious Babbler Malacopteron palawanense
Saw it at least twice. Although I didn't pay attention to its call. I hope I didn't confuse it with the Striped Tit-Babbler, which looked quite different from those found in Singapore.
Striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis
Loud 'chunk chunk' calls emnating from bushes, throughout the forest. This bird looks different from the Singapore variety, with less stripes on its throat/breast!
White-vented Shama Copsychus niger
Prominent flasher of a bird. Esp in the gardens surrounding the ranger station.
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus
Common bird, heard more often than seen, with a variety of calls. Including a strange un-bird like call heard in the countryside of El Nido.
Palawan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis lemprieri
Was looking at a GC Bulbul, refocused my lenses and saw the Palawan Blue FC behind the Bulbul! One of my high points, although it was sitting in rather dim lighting. At least the pressure was off for this key endemic.
Blue Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone cyanescens
A noisy bird, calling incessantly high up in a tree, upright pose. Reminded me of a Verditer FC. Also saw it flitting in the sun at El Nido, lovely pale blue.
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
Surprised to find it on my first birding session at El Nido! Beautiful. Saw both male and female specimens at Irawan.
Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola
A dull brown job. So non-descript that I didn't know what to put down in my note book except brown on back, white underneath. On Palawan, this bird has increased its range to include the forest, and is ironically seldom seen in the mangroves.
Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis
Fly-by specimens, IDed based on jizz. Confirmed by Roger.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Street bird
Olive-backed Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis aurora
Street bird, but pretty one. Aurora subspecies with extra orange patch on yellow undersides.
Shelley's Sunbird Aethopyga shelleyi
The red on the shoulders caught the sun and positively glowed. Pity I didn't get very good looks.
Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostris
Haha, with Roger, I annouced it as an 'Ugly Sunbird' at my first glimpse. Hazukashi desu ne.
Palawan Flowerpecker Prionichilus plateni
A beauty. Tame and confiding, both Mr and Mrs. Especially fantastic views at Irawan.
Pygmy Flowerpecker (E)Dicaeum pygaeum
Moved in flocks. Saw it first high up feasting on coconut flowers at the cemetry close to El Nido.
White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra
Got it twice, evening and next morning birding in the underbrush.
Chestnut Munia Lonchura malacca
Four tiny ones flew into the garden at the Asturias. Always a stunner in my books. Somehow, I love munias. Cute little uns
Luzon Birds - Not in taxonomic order, but in order of sighting
List of Birds Seen In Luzon
Birding Spots: Intramurros, Mount Palay-Palay (in Cavite, 2 hours drive from Manila) & Manila Bay
Whiskered TernChlidonias hybrida
Lots of it zipping above the waters of the Pasig River and Manila Bay
Great EgretCasmerodius albus
Too bad it was high tide, this bird was on the opposite bank.
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Little HeronButorides striatus
Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus
Collared KingfisherHalcyion chloris
Black-headed GullLarus ridibundus
Philippine Fairy Bluebird (E)Irena cyanogaster
Philippine Bulbul (E)Ixos philippinus
Tarictic Hornbill (E)Penelopides panini
Grey-streaked FlycatcherMuscicapa griseisticta
Blue Rock ThrushMonticola solitarius philippensis
Greater Flameback (E)Chrysocolaptes lucidus haematibon
Rufous Hornbill (E)Buceros hydrocorax
Grey-backed Tailorbird (E)Orthotomus derbianus
Black-chinned Fruit-Dove (E)Ptilinopus leclancheri
Coppersmith BarbetMegalaima haemacephala
Glossy SwiftletCollocalia esculenta
Pygmy Swiftlet (E)Collocalia troglodytes
Yellow-vented BulbulPycnonotus Goiavier
Spotted Wood-Kingfisher (E)Actenoides lindsayi
Luzon Bleeding Heart (E)Gallicolumba luzonica
Pygmy Flowerpecker (E)Dicaeum pgymaeum
Red-keeled Flowerpecker (E)Dicaeum australe
Philippine Coucal (E)Centropus viridis
Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis
Red-crested Malkoha (E)Phaenicophaeus superciliosus
Coleto (E)Sarcops calvus
Brahminy KiteHaliastur indus
Philppine Falconet (E)Microhierax erythrogenys
OspreyPandion haliaetus
Philippine Serpent Eagle (E)Spilornis holospilus
Elegant Tit (E)Parus elegans
Guaiabero (E)Bolbopsittacus lunulatus
Saw only a v v brief glimpse, thru bins. BVD.
Colasisi (E)Loriculus pilippensis
Philippine Trogan (E)Harpactes ardens
White-eared Brown Dove (E)Phapitreron leucotis
Sooty Woodpecker (E)Mulleripicus funebris
White-browed Shama (E)Copsychus luzoniensis
Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (E)Dendrocopos maculatus
Philippine Swiftlet (E)Collocalia mearnsi
Island SwiftletCollocalia vanikorensis
White-breasted WoodswallowArtamus leucorynchus
Rock PigeonColumba livia
Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus


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Samantha Prahalis had 18 points and nine assists to help No. 9 Ohio State beat Indiana, 73-55, Thursday night.
Samantha Prahalis had 18 points and nine assists to help No. 9 Ohio State beat Indiana, 73-55, Thursday night.
Tayler Hill, the Big Ten's leading scorer, produced all 18 of her points in the second half and Ashley Adams had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Buckeyes (20-1, 7-1 Big Ten).
Ohio State, the conference's highest-scoring team at nearly 79 points per game, trailed 26-25 at halftime. The Buckeyes shot 60 percent from the field in the second half and held Indiana to 28 percent shooting after the break. Ohio State scored 25 points off of Indiana's 16 turnovers.
Aulani Sinclair scored a career-high 27 points for Indiana (5-16, 0-8). Jasmine McGhee had nine points and 12 rebounds but shot 3-for-16 from the field. Sasha Chaplin added six points and 11 rebounds for the Hoosiers, who lost their eighth consecutive game.
Indiana jumped out to a quick 11-6 lead by making five of its first eight shots. The Hoosiers extended their advantage to 20-12 before Ohio State finally rallied.
The Buckeyes began trapping late in the first half, and it rattled the Hoosiers. A 3-pointer by Raven Ferguson cut Indiana's lead to one late in the half, but the Hoosiers held onto the slimmest of leads at the break. Indiana outrebounded the Buckeyes 30-16 in the first half and held the Buckeyes to 34 percent shooting.
Prahalis gave Ohio State the lead with a jumper less than a minute into the second half, and she was just getting started. She either scored or assisted on Ohio State's first nine points of the half. A steal and layup by Hill, her first points, gave the Buckeyes a 36-26 lead with 16:36 remaining. Indiana went scoreless for more than four minutes at the start of the second half.