Five Rufous Hornbills sighted across the campsite, drying their wings. There's a "possible nest tree" near the Bagtikan: it has lots of epiphytes (orchids and pitcher plants).
The weather is still cloudy, drizzling rains come and go. Cannot proceed to observation post (if only to get familiar with the area) for safety reasons-- the stream might flood and we will get stuck somewhere.
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June 19, 2007
POST1
- 14o 56' 01.1" N
- 121o 28' 47.6" E
- 495 - 505 meters above sea level
- cloudy
1404 >> serpent eagle (with snake)
1411 >> UID
There's slight improvement on the weather today, meaning there's less rain. We decided to establish us a post. A trail had to be cleared, the terrain was difficult because of the wet forest floor (thick with leaf litter) makes for a very slippery footing. From the campsite, it takes about 50 minutes to get to the OP1.
The olympus was found defective this morning at breakfast (battery?) so that we couldn't take pictures of the site. Tomorrow, Manong Pecs and I will go to OP1 while Kuya Cito and Jean will trail blaze for OP2.
OP1 is a tricky post; it is situated on a ridge created by a landslide on both sides of the mountain. This gives a clear view of both sides of the mountain so it has been decided that one team can observe both sides simultaneously. On a fatal kind of note, I slipped while walking along the ridge (which was only about a foot in width) and would surely have fallen had not Mang Henry and Jean caught me... perfect timing!
The vegetation was thick, heterogenous, close canopy. Very interesting as i think i have never seen a forest like this back in Mindanao.
We are hopeful for a sunny day tomorrow. Maybe the eagles will soar.
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