Last Sunday, July 2 2006, I joined the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines for a trip to the grasslands, and waterways along Macapagal Avenue. The full gallery is here. (http://www.photo.net.ph/thumbnails.php?album=2535)
I practiced shooting fully manual and although challenging at first, I think I'll be using the M Mode more for birding. The highlight of the trip was spotting a Grass Owl, but since it was always quite a distance away, and came out at around 6:30AM while it was overcast, it was quite difficult to track and expose properly. I was using a D200 with a Tamron 200-500mm lens.
Like UP Diliman, I never thought one could see so many species of birds just within Manila. But, it's amazing once you start paying attention to your surroundings. Here are a few highlights:

http://www.photo.net.ph/albums/userpics/10179/normal_grass_owl2.jpg

http://www.photo.net.ph/albums/userpics/10179/normal_grass_owl.jpg

http://www.photo.net.ph/albums/userpics/10179/normal__TJP4371_r.jpg

http://www.photo.net.ph/albums/userpics/10179/normal__TJP4423_r.jpg

Nice catch TJ!

Thanks Rolly!

Nice catch, TJ.... looks like you had fun.....:)

Yes, I'd recommend M mode at birds (I use this 100% now) for maximum control of exposure.

Romy

WOW TJ !!! Now I'm super sisi that I didn't join you guys. I have never seen an owl in the wild before and it would have been such a treat even just to see it... Hopefully on the next birding trip the grass owl will still be there and I'll be able to take photos of it too :) Happy for you ... nice captures !

Romy, thanks for the tips. I'm an M mode convert! Practice na lang. I'll be getting the the 1.4x TC soon so I can fill up my frame more. :)
Even if the Tamron 200-500 was a "slow" lens and had no type of IS or VR, I think it performed well. The owl collage on top was with the D70 and 70-200VR combo while the bottom collage was with the D200 and Tamron 200-500 combo. Handheld pa! I'm sure if it wasn't overcast and drizzling, I would've had better shots.

Tina, I think the grass owl will still be there. Some local fishermen we spoke to even mentioned seeing 2 to 4 of them. It was recommended to wear boots, but we didn't even cross the mudflats. We saw the owl right in the middle of the grasslands. So I think joining the next trip shouldn't be a problem. Any luck in Makiling?

Naku Makiling was full of birds as expected .... yung nga lang the birds decided to give me a hard time :Grin:

@tj

Your shots with the 70-200VR was with or without a TC? :)

70-200VR was without TC. I wanted to keep the lens sharp and not add glass to it. I don't think it mattered as you can see in the shots! The owl was just so far away! Anyway, I also was keeping my 70-200 and 200-500 range without overlapping.

Naku Makiling was full of birds as expected .... yung nga lang the birds decided to give me a hard time :Grin:

this can be interpreted in oh so many levels....:BlackEye: