taiwan: a photo journey leader: keith barnes€¦ · a photo journey – leader: keith barnes 20-24...
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Taiwan: A Photo Journey – Leader: Keith Barnes
20-24 November 2013. All photos were taken on this short tour
Taiwan produces photographic opportunities of some of the most amazing gamebirds on Earth;
and a short trip can produce the scarce and skittish Taiwan Partridge, and both Swinhoe’s and
Mikado Pheasants. But the other birds are certainly major drawcards themselves, and the
scenery and temples makes for a stunning array of diverse photo opportunities.
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When the Portuguese sailors first arrived, they called it Isla Formosa, which means ‘The
Beautiful Island’. In November, as winter sets in, the inversion layers and broken cloud work to
great effect to produce some dramatic scenery photo opportunities.
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Introduction:
Taiwan is spectacular. It has the highest density of peaks over 3000 metres on Earth, and it is
both visually stunning and spiritually rich, with Taoism, Buddism and Confucianism all
widespread. The island has also become a mecca recently for bird photographers, with several
important and productive hides being set up and other areas where amazing pheasants have
become immune to the presence of humans, making photographing these once incredibly shy
denizens of the forest, straightforward and easy. The incredible game birds asisde, there are a
suite of fabulous Asian babblers, robins and other flock birds that keep the shutter trigger semi-
permanently depressed as we move around the island.
This tour was a typical one. Short, and productive, we were able to get great shots of both
endemic pheasants as wella s the cute and photogenic Taiwan Partridge, and several other super
birds included. I have outlined the basic itinerary and then just allowed the photos to talk for
themselves with a gallery of images to whet the appetite. Tropical Birding now has an office in
Taiwan, and we can arrange this type of trip at the drop of a hat any time of the year. So if you
have a business trip, or are passing through the far east, consider adding 5 days to your time in
Taiwan, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.
Itinerary:
Nov 20 Arrival in Taipei, drive to Dashueshan, Taichung County.
Nov 21 Dashueshan, Taichung County
Nov 22 Dashueshan - Alishan
Nov 23 Alishan – Tainan and Tsengwen Estuary
Nov 24 Tsengwen to Taipei
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At Dashueshan two of earth’s finest gamebirds, the Mikado Pheasant (above) and Swinhoe’s
Pheasant (below) regularly put on a show and are pretty easy to get amazing photographs of.
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The mountain also offers scenery and smaller critters like this Olive Frog.
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But one of the very coolest animals in the forests here is the immaculate Red-and-white Giant
Flying Squirrel.
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Once the pheasant show is over we still have plenty of time to focus on the other cool birds of
these mountains including the amazing 24 species of endemics. With taxonomy still in flux the
number of endemics Taiwan is known for grows each year, with at least 60 taxa found only here
including Collared Bush-Robin (above) and Taiwan Fulvetta (below)
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Taiwan Laughingthrush (above) and White-tailed Blue-Robin are other lovely photo subjects
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In November the wetlands are thronging with birds including rare Black-faced Spoonbills
(above) and common Pacific Golden-Plovers.
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Other Gallery photos including some scenery and cultural shots
Yellow-billed Egret in flight (above) and Taiwan Whistling-thrush (below)
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Swinhoe’s Pheasant male, detailed headshot (above) and smoking Dragon stack (below)
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