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| LAKE VIEWING WITH SOLOGNAC 8X42 500 SERIE BINOCULARS |
SNEAK PEEK BEYOND THE REACH OF SIGHT - Part I: “Lake Viewing with Binoculars”
By: Ramon Q. Gayas Jr. (Ser Montaineer)
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| SOLOGNAC 8X42 500 SERIE BINOCULARS WITH HARNESS |
On my recent outdoor trip, I had an opportunity to try out some
of my merchandise from Wild Discovery Department, Decathlon Philippines Inc.
These are the Solognac 8x42 500 serie Binoculars and Binoculars Harness. It is
a privilege given to us by the company, to use our product outside the store
for testing purposes. I haven't tried bringing this kind of instrument in my
several years of doing outdoor activities. However, I am aware about the
enjoyment it brings, as I enjoyed using binocs when I participated in a guided
birding trip at UP Diliman last month, where I learned the basic binoculars
adjustment and ways of responsible bird watching. That's why I felt this first
product testing as a great opportunity, gave additional excitement knowing I
would do it for Lake viewing at the Lake City of San Pablo, Laguna, which I
quickly planned with my PNU-colleagues Heide Banday and Erl Lim for my 35th
Birthday.
On October 14, 2017 around 08:00 in the morning at the very
familiar Jollibee branch in San Pablo, I found myself speaking with tricycle
driver named Pablo Lauigan, arranging trike service in order to visit the
available eco-tourists Lake in the vicinity. Though a bit pricey which costs
P700, I grabbed his offer considering that we're still affected by the bad
weather made by typhoon Odette and to look for other driver might be time
consuming.
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| GLOOMY MORNING AT LAKE SAMPALOC |
Our trike ride started at 0830 AM and
we fastly arrived at our first target, in Lake Sampaloc. Unfortunately, it was very
gloomy and rainy that time, I am unable to use the binoculars during the time
we are in Sampaloc. However, I found the place nice for tree walk and birding
activity. I saw some birds - mostly Eurasian tree
sparrow and Shrikes - and some common Philippine Native Trees like Narra
(pterocarpus indicus) Talisay (terminalia catappa) and Acacia confusa. Interestingly,
the 4 KM road encompassing the biggest Lake of San Pablo is apparently
potential for running and walking, as one of my companion - Erl - had tried
surveying it before. Then, by the time we are preparing to leave Sampaloc, the
rain has slowly stop. So I took this moment to prepare the harness and binocs
for our next viewing.
Continuing on to the next lake, we had reached Lake Mohicap at
around 0945 AM. After paying the registration fee (P10), we directly proceed to
the marker for photo opt and descended the 105 steps downstream. Upon reaching
the lake's shore, the caretaker warmly welcomed us and gave some information
about the place.
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| THE LAKE MOHICAP AND IMOC HILLS |
Thereafter, we started to indulge the surroundings. The place
looks refreshing, showcases greeneries and impressive view of notable landscape
known as Imoc Hill. On the other hand, by the time I started using the Solognac
Binoculars there, I enjoyed seeing the vegetation literally magnified, even the
occasional raindrops, as if I'm closed to the features I am looking at. I can
also easily adjust the binocs to clearly see every object I am spotting. While
the Solognac Binoculars Harness is elastic, very manageable to use combined
with the binocs. It makes me roamed freely, enables me to descend the shore, go
up and down and go over the bamboo raft to get spotting position without
requiring my hands to hold the optics. The harness securely compressed and
hanged it on my chest. Furthermore, through using the Solognac Binoculars I was
luckily spotted one of the bird species in the Lake, the Barn Swallow (hirundo
rustica) locally known as "Layang layang", flying above us, chirping,
playing and landed several times near to our standpoint.
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| AT THE MARKER |
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| DESCENDING THE 105 STEPS |
It was past 10:00 AM when
we left Lake Mohicap, aiming to visit the other lake next to it, the Lake
Palakpakin. Short trike ride after, the driver dropped us at one small bridge.
At this point, Mang Pablo told us that bridge is the only way to see the Lake
Palakpakin. Since, there is no other access to get closer we only took short sightseeing
then headed to Lake Pandin. Even though we are notified by the caretaker in
Mohicap that Pandin is close to visitors due to right of way issue.
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| THE RANCH AND VIEW OF MT. BANAHAW-CRISTOBAL |
On the way to Lake Pandin, our venture commence at one
community. One young boy - I named "Utoy" - approached us and offers
a guide service, gave guarantee that there is a newly opened trail to reach
Pandin. But I respectfully refused, hoping I could still track the landmark
I've passed through when I visited the place as side trip of my Mt. Mabilog
climb way back year 2011. However, many changes happened in the past six years.
Infact, I got confused during the trek, but thankful that Utoy still following
us when I did back trail. Then, I accepted his offer to guide us. Our trek resume at the ranch that is temporarily opened for
Pandin visitors. This place is surprisingly beautiful; gave us way to see some
cows roaming at the green grassy slopes, glimpse the views of Mt.
Banahaw-Cristobal complex as well as Mt. Malarayat range. Though slightly
rainy, muddy and slippery, we managed the trek to Lake Pandin within 20
minutes. Longer than the usual trekking time from the old trail, yet definitely
more scenic.
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| AT LAKE PANDIN |
At the Lake Pandin, we've been closer to the lake through our
rented bamboo raft. The "bankeros" brought us to the opposite shore
then we ate the food they served such as; grilled tilapia, okoy na hipon and
fern ensalada. There, we are treated to witnessed the emerald green water
section of the lake, we saw many small fishes they dubbed as "ayungin",
joyfully tried the man-made swing, took photos, behold the refreshing air and
the beautiful surroundings. I also had fun to spot the things behind us using
the Solognac Binoculars. I saw some butterflies mostly white and yellow, birds
like Grey Heron (ardea cinerea) and group of White Herons (ardea alba) flock
over the lake. There is also one interesting bird we can't identify. This is
different from the mentioned birds as its bearing
short tail and white feathers with black spots. Yet showing capabilities same
as the other migratory birds, that is impressively flying, wading and eat
fishes.
Visiting Pandin is our main plan and we're glad to make it
despite of weather disturbance. Though, we're not able to conquer the other
Lakes (Yambo, Bunot and Calibato), Pandin experience rewarded us an exciting
finale. Bringing all the good vibes and learnings from the lake viewing we had,
we decided to leave the place by 3pm, and
safely headed back to Manila.
Overall, bringing binoculars in my outdoor trip gave additional
weight on my backpack. It cannot record the moment and sceneries we had at the
Lake we've visited unlike the camera. Yet it has no charging requirement and I
enjoyed using it to the fullest. Moreover, it gives considerable importance to
me in seeing features from outdoor beyond the reach of my normal sight. I will
surely not hesitate to use the Solognac Binoculars again and explore its
diverse function in enjoying the great outdoors. Looking forward for Part II.
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| AT THE FLOATING COTTAGE IN LAKE PANDIN |
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| ENJOYING MAN-MADE SWING IN LAKE PANDIN |
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| OUR FOOD IN LAKE PANDIN |
