I noticed that TJ and Romy have been shooting birds lately (does that sound right?) I wanted to know what the minimum requirements (gear) in joining you guys in "birding?".

And also, do you guys have a club that we can join? and what are the schedules of the shoots...

Interesting....I'm in. Can we start someplace nearby so that we can "practice"first and get to know what it is all about before we venture into the wilderness???:D

Hi Nino and Pilar,

For birding, I recommend a minimum of 400 mm so you have a chance of filling a larger portion of the frame. Once you get serious, then it's time to use the big guns like 500 f4, 600 f4 or even the Sigmonster. The 1.5 or 1.6 CF bodies are good for reach, while the 1dm2(n) or D2x's pro-level AF have the best chances of catching fliers.

A 70-200 f2.8 or xxx-300 f4 zoom + 1.4x TC would do for the meantime if you already have it and just want to try bird photography.

For regular birdwalks within Metro manila, check out our Wild Bird Club of the Phils. Membership fee is very minimal - http://www.birdwatch.ph/

We also have an e-group where we discuss and share info on Philippine bird photography (membership is open):

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

Romy

Ditto what Romy said. The e-group has been very helpful!

i am interested in this as well...

Let me stir the pot with a very rare capture of the Indigo-banded Kingfisher, an uncommon and difficult to find Philippine endemic....:Grin:

This bird inhabits dark mountain streams. Finding and seeing it is definitely enough to make a serious birder's day. Photo-documenting it, no matter how lousy it is captured, would multiply that joy ten-fold.

I chose to shoot in available, dark undercanopy light to preserve the colors. This forced me to use a ridiculously slow shutter speed - 350D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, 0.60 sec, ISO 200, f/9, manual exposure, remote switch with MLU on tripod.

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52945386.jpg


Romy

Marvelous! simply breathtaking Sir Romy. Dont have that much to go into that field but would defintely love to capture these birds.

More More More!!!

Dodie, check out Romy's pbase gallery. Master talaga!

Pilar, joining the guided birdwalks of the WBCP is one of the best ways to start since you're in the company of expert birders. But the photography of birds is, as I'm learning, takes a lot of patience and practice. If there's a guided bird walk soon, I'll keep this group posted. My first walks were at the American War Memorial at Fort Bonifacio and UP Diliman. My first trip with the WBCP was recently at the grasslands of Macapagal Avenue. These are all within Manila, definitely great places to practice. Even the parks in the various villages have loads of birds. You just have to pay attention. :)

Beautiful shot Romy. Captured the great colors and beauty of this bird. Keep us posted if you are interested in having a bunch of "amature bird shooters":D hopefully we don't freak the birds out:Scared:

Oh my... Sir that is breathtaking. :) What an amazing capture :)

Let me stir the pot with a very rare capture of the Indigo-banded Kingfisher, an uncommon and difficult to find Philippine endemic....:Grin:

This bird inhabits dark mountain streams. Finding and seeing it is definitely enough to make a serious birder's day. Photo-documenting it, no matter how lousy it is captured, would multiply that joy ten-fold.

I chose to shoot in available, dark undercanopy light to preserve the colors. This forced me to use a ridiculously slow shutter speed - 350D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, 0.60 sec, ISO 200, f/9, manual exposure, remote switch with MLU on tripod.

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52945386.jpg


Romy

Romy..please wag mo kami patayin sa inggit:Grin: . Great shot! Details are outstanding...

Marvelous! simply breathtaking Sir Romy. Dont have that much to go into that field but would defintely love to capture these birds.

More More More!!!

Thanks, guys and Pilar..... wish more of us would shoot our beautiful birds....:)

Dodie, here's a rarely captured endemic for you - the uncommon Rufous Hornbill, a very large bird (3 feet total length) that takes your breath away when you see it cavorting among the tree tops in the wild. The locals call it Kalaw, probably in reference to its loud call of "kaawwww....".

It still can be seen in small numbers at Quezon National Park and Mt. Palay-palay (near Caylabne, Cavite), where it's making a determined stand to survive despite the fast shrinking rainforest habitat.

350D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, 1/160 sec, f/8, ISO 400, manual exposure, about 50 m distance:

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/51796283.jpg

Romy

Excellent capture as always Romy. I hope I get to see a Rufous Hornbill in the wild one of these days too. Haaaaay so many beautiful birds all over the Philippines and so little time to take photos whenever we want.

Let me stir the pot with a very rare capture of the Indigo-banded Kingfisher, an uncommon and difficult to find Philippine endemic....:Grin:

This bird inhabits dark mountain streams. Finding and seeing it is definitely enough to make a serious birder's day. Photo-documenting it, no matter how lousy it is captured, would multiply that joy ten-fold.

I chose to shoot in available, dark undercanopy light to preserve the colors. This forced me to use a ridiculously slow shutter speed - 350D + Sigmonster, 800 mm, 0.60 sec, ISO 200, f/9, manual exposure, remote switch with MLU on tripod.

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52945386.jpg


Romy


Sir Romy Idol ka talaga! Nice shots! Tina was just telling me that you are the master at bird photography. Totoo talaga.:D

just to add, you even managed to take great shots of even the common asian sparrrow (or what we commoners call "MAYA")

If one is to enter into birding photography, Is it esential to get a lens with a low f-stop like the 70-200 f2.8 VR? or is it better to go for the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 VR?

just to add, you even managed to take great shots of even the common asian sparrrow (or what we commoners call "MAYA")

If one is to enter into birding photography, Is it esential to get a lens with a low f-stop like the 70-200 f2.8 VR? or is it better to go for the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 VR?


Hi Edwin,

If forced to choose between a fast, short lens and a slow, long lens, I'd prefer reach over wide aperture...:)

Romy

Hi Edwin,

If forced to choose between a fast, short lens and a slow, long lens, I'd prefer reach over wide aperture...:)

Romy


Thanks for the tip Romy!:D