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Post by alainpascua on Feb 3, 2011 3:59:09 GMT
A Team of Wild Bird Photographers have been invited by Bislig City Vice Mayor Conrad Cejoco to once again document the wild birds in the former Picop Timber Concession area. The Vice Mayor knows too well that time is running out for the protection and conservation of their forest, wild birds and wildlife as illegal logging, slash and burn clearing, illegal settling, etc. are slowly eating their way in the former timberland supposed to be under DENR jurisdiction but it seems lawlessness rules. Our mission is to photograph wild birds that has been attracting hundreds, nay thousands, of foreign birdwatcher tourists in that part of Mindanao, and to show to the people of Bislig and all Filipinos the Avian Treasurse that we have... that we have to protect and conserve. The Team was composed of Rey Sta. Ana, Nilo Arribas, Tonji and Sylvia Ramos, Dr. Chito Limchiu and Alain Pascua. Nicky Icarangal and Zardo Goring guided the team. Here are the pictures that I took. Blue-Capped Wood-Kingfisher, a Philippine and Mindanao Endemic. In my 3 trips to Bislig, this is the only time that I saw this species.  50D, 400mm, 1/40, f/6.3, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Violet Cuckoo, a resident bird, but it is uncommon, female.  50D, 400mm, 1/160, f/5.6, iso320, manual exposure, with tripod support Striped-Headed Rhabdornis, a Philippine endemic  50D, 400mm, 1/50, f/6.3, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Silvery Kingfisher, a Philippine Endemic  50D, 400mm, 1/20, f/5.6, iso800, manual exposure, with 2X TC and tripod support, under the rains Handsome Sunbird, a Philippine Endemic. Our sunbirds are the equivalent of humming birds which most Filipino kids know more about since all the books available in our bookstores and school libraries are all about foreign birds. I wish we can have books of Philippine Birds by Filipino authors and photographers.  50D, 400mm, 1/400, f/5.6, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Little Egret, a migratory bird. This was taken in Tinuy-an Falls with slow shutter speed to melt the flowing water hoping that the bird stand still for this photograph.  50D, 400mm, 1/6, f/22, iso320, manual exposure, with tripod support, under the rains Other pictures are posted at www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=278638&id=747044856&l=0fde81b1f9Complete pictures can be seen at alainpascua.smugmug.com/Philippine-Birds/By-Location/PICOP-Bislig-CityCritique/Criticisms are very much welcome. ;D |
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Post by Adri Constantino on Feb 3, 2011 5:33:03 GMT
Nice shots Alain!
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Post by mantarey on Feb 3, 2011 10:40:13 GMT
Wonderful set Alain. They're all winners. Just a little suggestion on the giant Rhabdornis, I would add a little headroom if it was mine to make it a more pleasing composition. You might want to boost the colors of the Sunbird too, it's little pale in my monitor.  |
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Post by Tateo Osawa on Feb 3, 2011 15:13:30 GMT
Very nice series and good photos. Congratulations!
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Feb 3, 2011 23:51:09 GMT
Nice series of birds of Bislig. I like the Handsome Sunbird best of all.
Well done Alain. Mabuhay.
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Post by Tonji Ramos on Feb 4, 2011 1:36:23 GMT
Very good set Alain.
The Silvery KF that you guys waited for in the rain was worth the effort.
Very good look at that Blue Capped. I want to see that bird again one day.
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Post by alainpascua on Feb 4, 2011 5:09:33 GMT
Thanks Adri, Rey, Tateo san, Ely and Tonji!
Thanks for the good suggestions, Rey. I have already made the recommended changes and replaced the corresponding pics. Comments like those make everybody learn and help produce better, if not perfect, pictures!
Tonji, I always laugh whenever I remember my face-off with the Silvery KF in the middle of rains that kept getting stronger. I always smile whenever I remember Nilo say the story of how I got hold of a nearby gabi leaf as my umbrella.
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Feb 4, 2011 5:13:46 GMT
Nice series Alain! Must have been a real adventure for you guys! :-)
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Post by William Lim on Feb 4, 2011 11:30:23 GMT
Very nice shots, Alain.
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Post by Ariel Matias on Feb 4, 2011 14:18:56 GMT
Nice set! The place must be really very nice! As most people say, the handsome sunbird is the best of all. Well done!
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Post by alainpascua on Feb 4, 2011 15:06:41 GMT
Thank you, Bobby, William and Ariel. Here are some more pictures: Plain-Throated Sunbird 50D, 400mm, 1/125, f/6.3, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Purple-Throated Sunbird 50D, 400mm, 1/100, f/5.6, iso400, manual exposure, with tripod support Metallic-Winged Sunbird, a Philippine Endemic  50D, 400mm, 1/250, f/5.6, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker 50D, 400mm, 1/320, f/6.3, iso1250, manual exposure, with tripod support Buzzing Flowerpecker, a Philippine Endemic  50D, 400mm, 1/320, f/5.6, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Everett's White-Eye 50D, 400mm, 1/125, f/6.3, iso1600, manual exposure, with tripod support Other pictures are posted at www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=278638&id=747044856&l=0fde81b1f9Critique/Criticisms are very much welcome. ;D |
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Post by Luis (Chito) Limchiu on Feb 5, 2011 4:14:37 GMT
Hi Alain, love the capture of the little Egret, excellent job on the water, slowing down the shutter speed to 1/6 at f22. Did you use a neutral density filter as well? I also like the violet cockoo- details and colors were well rendered. Composition wise however,I feel that cutting a few inches from the bottom to remove the distracting trunk and the small branch will enhance focus on the beautiful bird, but it's your call. Congratulations on the excellent capturing of almost all species from the tree! Your were an excellent bird buddy during the trip!
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Post by alainpascua on Feb 5, 2011 9:17:31 GMT
Thank you, Doc Chito! No, I did not use a filter in shooting the Little Egret. I would use if I have one at that time... I've amended the composition of the Violet Cuckoo as I find your suggestion very meritorious. I've posted the amended picture below, does it now strike a spark not readily seen in the previous one? Hope this is better!  |
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Post by Luis (Chito) Limchiu on Feb 5, 2011 10:04:00 GMT
Looks very good to me Alain. Btw I like the way you captured the raindrops in the image this things always adds appeal to the picture.
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Post by alainpascua on Feb 6, 2011 5:06:28 GMT
Here are some more pictures. Philippine Hawk-Owl, a Philippine Endemic, in the act of calling! We saw a pair, but the other one nearby could not be photographed because of obstructions.  50D, 400mm, 1/60, f/6.3, iso800, manual exposure, with tripod support Writhed Hornbill, A Philippine and Mindanao Endemic. Composite of 3 shots from a burst.  50D, 400mm, 1/1000, f/5.6, iso400, manual exposure, with tripod support Handsome Sunbird, female, a Philippine Endemic.  50D, 400mm, 1/320, f/6.3, iso1600, manual exposure, with tripod support Metallic-Winged Sunbird, a Philippine Endemic, Female.  50D, 400mm, 1/250, f/5.6, iso400, manual exposure, with tripod support Yellowish Bulbul, a Philippine Endemic.  50D, 400mm, 1/60, f/6.3, iso400, manual exposure, with tripod support Scarlet Minivet 50D, 400mm, 1/320, f/5.6, iso400, manual exposure, with tripod support Another shot of the Philippine Hawk-Owl 50D, 400mm, 1/13, f/6.3, iso320, manual exposure, with tripod support Other pictures are posted at www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=278638&id=747044856&l=0fde81b1f9Complete pictures can be seen at alainpascua.smugmug.com/Philippine-Birds/By-Location/PICOP-Bislig-CityCritique/Criticisms are very much welcome. ;D |
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Post by Edwin Matias on Feb 6, 2011 16:10:38 GMT
Wow, Great Series Sir, love those KF
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Post by Enrique Frio on Feb 7, 2011 7:37:02 GMT
Alain, great shots! Hopefully, with your photos we can convince the nation of the need to conserve Bislig. Mabuhay!
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Post by Mark Itol on Feb 7, 2011 13:04:02 GMT
Great haul from Bislig, Alain. It's very hard to ask for more under such challenging shooting conditions. Big congrats!
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Post by alainpascua on Feb 7, 2011 16:59:50 GMT
Thanks Edwin, Enrique and Mark!
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Feb 8, 2011 1:23:01 GMT
Great set! My faves are the Writhed Hornbill, Blue Capped KF, Silvery KF, Violet Cuckoo, and the Little Egret!
All the shots from that tree with the white flowers would stand out more if they were all grouped together. Maybe in a separate post? They make such a great set!
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