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.


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.


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


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.


The mountain also offers scenery and smaller critters like this Olive Frog.


But one of the very coolest animals in the forests here is the immaculate Red-and-white Giant

Flying Squirrel.


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)


Taiwan Laughingthrush (above) and White-tailed Blue-Robin are other lovely photo subjects


In November the wetlands are thronging with birds including rare Black-faced Spoonbills

(above) and common Pacific Golden-Plovers.


Other Gallery photos including some scenery and cultural shots

Yellow-billed Egret in flight (above) and Taiwan Whistling-thrush (below)


Swinhoe’s Pheasant male, detailed headshot (above) and smoking Dragon stack (below)

Taiwan: A Photo Journey Leader: Keith Barnes€¦ · A Photo Journey – Leader: Keith Barnes 20-24...

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