Here's sharing a few Philippine birds with some character....:Grin:


1. WET HUNTER. This Brown Shrike was hunting in the rain at Macabebe wetlands (Pampanga), looking miserable after many minutes of getting no prey - 350D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec, ISO 400, manual exposure

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/51566461.jpg


2. PLAYFUL PARROT. The child-like antics of this immature Guaiabero (a Philippine endemic) was captured in megapixels during a stormy day in Caylabne Bay (Cavite) - 300D + Bigma + DG Super, 500 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 400, hand held

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/51353830.jpg


3. FURIOUS FALCONET. One of the world's smallest birds of prey (6-1/4" total length), this Philippine Falconet (a Philippine endemic) gives a scary snarl, baring its saw-tooth bill at the camera at Subic rainforest. If it were 2 feet bigger, I'd have run away for my life instead of taking the pic - 20D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO 400, manual exposure

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/47870002.jpg

Regards,

Romy

I had no idea these birds existed in the Philippines. I thought they were only in cages. I hope people only shoot them with cameras and not with anything else..... (not trying to start anything here....:Grin: )
Beautiful photos. I love the blurring of the background.

sweeeeet! Great pix Romy..:)

great pictures! i also never realized we had these kinds of birds in the Philippines, and in areas that are rather close to manila. i hope people don't do more damage that will cause us to lose these treasures. really great pictures, thanks for sharing them!

the master at work! as usual nice work romy!

Thanks, Pilar, Caloy, Carlos and Levi.

You'd be surprised at how many bird species we have in Metro Manila....:)

Here's a Golden-bellied Flyeater from my backyard (Paranaque), 20D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, 1/125 sec, f/8, ISO 400, manual exposure:

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/57443546.jpg


And a Yellow Bittern from UP-Diliman, 350D + Sigmonster + Sigma 2x TC, 1600 mm, f/18, 1/100 sec, ISO 400, manual exposure:

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/58532655.jpg


Romy

grabe, ang galing niyo sir! fave ko yung 1st pic, parang asar na asar siya at nasayang ang pagod niya :)

Great work, Romy. Especially like the shrike and flyeater photo. Dude, you should do a book on Philippine birds. :)

great pix sir.

great set romy. ayus yung sigmonster mo ah.

question lang dun sa parrot. did you use flash?

Wow. Wow. I've bookmarked your online gallery already. Sweet shooting! :)

great set romy. ayus yung sigmonster mo ah.

question lang dun sa parrot. did you use flash?

Thanks, guys...:)

Jojo, yes I used a Sigma DG super on that shot. It was taken under the canopy, partly against an overcast sky as background.

That was an old shot... I don't use flash on birds now because I prefer the colors taken in available light.

Romy

:Grin: Another great set of pics!!! :) I particularly like your capture of the falconet. That is one scary looking bird.

Great work, Romy. Especially like the shrike and flyeater photo. Dude, you should do a book on Philippine birds. :)

I second the motion. Looking forward to that book on Philippine birds. Isa na ako sa bibili for sure :)

Great captures as usual Romy !!!

Thanks, Rosalie and Tina....:)

Tina, your recent bird shots are amazing.

Romy

Romy..please post some more:) and thanks for sharing previous pix..

Romy..please post some more:) and thanks for sharing previous pix..

Thanks, Caloy.... here's a couple of birds in action for you (I post bird pics at the "slightest provocation"...:Grin: ):

1. Grass Owl at Candaba wetlands (Pampanga) - 20D + 400 5.6L, 1/400, f/5.6, ISO 800, hand held

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/51436650.jpg



2. Marsh Sandpipers fighting over feeding territory at Sta. Cruz (Zambales) - 20D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, f/9, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/56998699.jpg





Regards,

Romy

OK Romy, How in the world do you find these birds? Do you just go to a place and blow some kinda bird whistle and they magically appear? The owl is beautiful! What is the min focal lenght to take bird photos? Are there any rituals we need to know so that we dont freak the birds out? do we need to bring bird seed?:D Do we try to blend in with the plants so that the birds dont see us? ARe they camera shy? do they leave if they see the lens? So is UP diliman a good place to start bird watching/shooting? Thanks in advanced:)

Thanks, Caloy.... here's a couple of birds in action for you (I post bird pics at the "slightest provocation"...:Grin: ):

1. Grass Owl at Candaba wetlands (Pampanga) - 20D + 400 5.6L, 1/400, f/5.6, ISO 800, hand held

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/51436650.jpg



2. Marsh Sandpipers fighting over feeding territory at Sta. Cruz (Zambales) - 20D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, f/9, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/56998699.jpg





Regards,

Romy

Huwwwwaaaaawww! gear and picture envy now Romy... I didn't know we have such kind of owls in the PI. I only see em in Discovery Channel:Grin: Ang galing Bro.

May I try in some future time that sigmonster of yours?

OK Romy, How in the world do you find these birds? Do you just go to a place and blow some kinda bird whistle and they magically appear? The owl is beautiful! What is the min focal lenght to take bird photos? Are there any rituals we need to know so that we dont freak the birds out? do we need to bring bird seed?:D Do we try to blend in with the plants so that the birds dont see us? ARe they camera shy? do they leave if they see the lens? So is UP diliman a good place to start bird watching/shooting? Thanks in advanced:)

Hi Pilar,

For every bird pic of this type that I post, I probably throw away hundreds of outshots or discards.

Bird photography is very challenging, but also very satisfying and fun. You need to have the proper gear and the skills to use these. In addition, you must know your subjects (their habits and habitat) very well.

For smallish and shy Philippine birds, I'd say the focal length needed is 400 mm (on a 1.6 CF body) minimum if you want to print to a decent size (8x12). There are many places in the Metropolis where you can start playing around with bird photography - American Cemetery (FB), UP-Diliman, the coastal lagoons at Manila Bay, etc.

For anyone who's interested in bird photography, I'd suggest to check out the local birding club (Wild Bird Club of the Phils. ). They have a regular schedule of "bird walks" in Metro Manila and joining fee is very minimal. Here's their website:

http://www.birdwatch.ph/

You can also check out our Philippine Bird Photography e-group and you're welcome to join (membership is open):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/philippine_bird_photography/


And here's a Barn Swallow for you, thanks for your interest in bird photography...:)

300D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec, ISO 400, Candaba wetlands
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/47807155.jpg


Regards,

Romy

Hi Romy,

I saw you in action a few years back at Caylabne Resort. I was with my family and you were accompanied by your wife. I was not yet into photography back then.

Ang tyaga mo to take these awesome shots. I hope to meet you again someday in one of your future bird walks.

Thanks, Raffy. You must be the group by the pool if I remember it right.

Romy

hats off .............
the best...

sir publish nyo naman into books all your
birds picture...

pedeng maging phil bird reference namin..

Sometimes I don't want to look anymore at your pretty images to lessen the pain of not being physically present for the look.
cheers,
gil