Brown Shrike dives for prey

They're back. These migratory birds we call panal in Ilokoslovakia.

 

After crossing the South China Sea without a stopover (nearest point between the south coast of China and Luzon island is over 600 km), they arrived in our islands emaciated, with torn feathers. Hence, it's no surprise that for weeks after their arrival, they feed like crazy, as if eating will go out of style tomorrow.

 

Their favorite meals are easy-to-catch, tender, juicy invertebrates. But these migrants are so numerous, and easy prey can be depleted fast. So flying insects are also fair game, especially in the early morning.

 

I caught this female when it hawked a tiny insect in mid-air, as the sun was just rising beyond the Bued River and the Cordilleras in the east. It was quite distant, so I had to crop heavily down to actual pixel view (aka 100% crop).

 

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Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus, migrant, female)

Habitat - Common in all habitats at all elevations. 

 

Shooting Info - Rosario, La Union, Philippines, September 18, 2015, 1D MIV + 400 5.6L,
f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, hand held, manual exposure in available light, processed 100% crop.