by Camille King
My favorite member benefit of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines is the opportunity to join birding trips organized by co-club members or by third party organizations.
Sony Philippines together with Henry’s Cameras organized a Subic birding sortie for club members back in June 2024, but due to unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the trip was cancelled.
Fast forward to July 2025, the Birding Sortie 2.0 took flight! Fourteen club members participated in the two-day event. The group was a mix of new and long-time members namely, Russel Paul Orodio, Jan Denn Arriba (who flew in from Cebu for this event), Patcha Pangatungan, Isabel Celis, Jenzon Lopez, Steve Mehta, Ana Gabrielle Alcantara, Ria Vanessa dela Cruz, David John Angeles, Jasmin Meren, Karl James Gavero, Kath Contreras, Mylene Santos, and me.
The first day of the event on July 12 (Saturday) was a workshop hosted by Sony Philippines at their headquarters in Bonifacio Global City. We all got excited when we saw the Sony camera bodies and lenses displayed at the front of the room. Drool!
After registration of participants, Nica Agpawa of Sony presented the Sony camera and lens options for bird photography. The latest Sony cameras have fast auto-focusing systems, advanced eye animal autofocus even for birds, high burst speed to ensure in-focus, and sharp images even for the fastest animal in the world – the Peregrine Falcon. Nica also explained that Sony lenses (instead of third-party) will work best for Sony cameras. The ideal focal length are the ones with longer reach, the Sony 200-600mm or the Sony 400-800mm. In addition to versatile reach and superb image quality, these two options are both portable, durable, and can be used hand-held.
After Nica’s presentation, I presented bird photos and my experience using Sony gear. I have been using Sony system since 2018 not only for wildlife photography but also for portraits and travel.
Sony makes it easy to focus on spotting and bird observation because I don’t need to worry about camera performance. Bird in flight images are always achievable even with things in the foreground. I hope the participants were inspired by my presentation.
Lunch was served at the Sunkissed Café located in the building next to Sony’s headquarters. Meals were pre-ordered for efficiency and time management.
After lunch, club members had to the opportunity to touch and try the Sony cameras and lenses.
The most exciting part of the day was the issuance of loaner units for use in the field during the Subic birding sortie the next day. For fairness, it was done via electronic raffle draw. We really wished that it was gifted to us instead!
Sony Philippines also provided club members matching vests and bucket hats.
After last minute reminders for the Subic trip the next day, everyone excitedly left the venue with Sony gear in hand.
In the late afternoon, a few members dropped by my house in Quezon City to practice with the Sony gear. Everyone agreed that bird in flight images are easy to achieve with Sony cameras and lenses.
Call time for the Subic trip the next day, July 13 (Sunday) was 2:30am at the Sony Headquarters in Taguig. Bird club members and Sony Philippines staff departed in 3 vans at 2:32am. We arrived at the Nabasan Road meeting area at 5:06am before sunrise at 5:36am. We started birding the Nabasan trail as soon as it was bright enough.
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo Credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera PH
We were happy to bump into a group of club members in Nabasan Trail who didn’t make it to the cut-off of the Sony trip. Slots were limited to 14 so they planned their own trip. It was great seeing Karen Ochavo, Anna Gonzales, Enrico Legazpi, Joshua Cerdenia, and Laarni Fuentes.
Photo credit: Henrys Cameras PH
The team of Henry’s Cameras also made it to Subic. They brough Smallrig and Fotopro tripods to try in the field.
Photo Credit: Henry’s Cameras PH
Photo Credit: Mylene Santos
Mr. Kentaro Imamura, Sony Philippines Marketing Director, also joined the birding sortie.
Photo credit: Mylene Santos
At 7:45am, we headed to Camayan Beach Resort for a buffet breakfast.
Photo credit: Mylene Santos
After breakfast, we were excited to do more birding and went back to Nabasan Road at 8:30am. Sadly, it rained so we all stayed in the van until it stopped. We moved to the road leading to Hill 394 at 10:30am to try our luck with this location. It rained on and off until noon.
Lunch was at a private function room of Ocean Adventure.
Mr. Kentaro Imamura spotted a Besra taking refuge from the rain, under the roof of Ocean Adventure. Great spotting!
Photo credit: Jan Denn Arriba
Photo credit: Camille King
After lunch, club members had the chance to select, review, and edit the images of the day for the photo contest. I was the judge for the photo contest and the top 3 were: Patcha Pangatungan (Winner), Jasmin Meren (1st Place), and Russel Paul Orodio (2nd Place.)
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera
Photo credit: Henry’s Camera
Despite the on and off rain, we were able to observe 40 bird species. We got the Subic Specialties: Northern Sooty Woodpecker, Luzon Hornbill, Luzon Flameback, Green Imperial Pigeon.
Complete ebird checklists can be found here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S268155642
https://ebird.org/checklist/S268155626
https://ebird.org/checklist/S268155637
The Subic trip was great for club member camaraderie and the best opportunity to test Sony cameras and lenses in the field. We all agreed that Sony gear is perfect for bird photography. Thank you, Sony Philippines and Henry’s Cameras. We look forward to the next birding sortie!