The Marshlands of Macabebe and Masantol

[Tonji Ramos]

I was apprehensive when Tina invited Sylvia and I to go to Masantol, because were supposed to be taking pictures of waterbirds. I immediately thought we need a super long lens to take those birds. Sure enough, Neon came with us with his canon or rather his howitzer which he sometimes used with a TC. Phew.

But when we arrived I was pleasantly surprised that the birds were not that far away. We were able to take some very usable pictures. I really like pictures that show the habitat of the birds, it was easy to take those kinds of pictures in Masantol.

Little Grebe


Canon 50D 100-400, 400mm, ISO 250, 1/400, f7.1

I saw this baby when I went behind a house. It was looking for its mom and sibling who were in the bushes several feet away.
Common Moorhen


Canon 50D, 100-400, 400 mm, ISO 320, 1/320, f7.1

Buff Banded Rail


Canon 50D, 100-400, 400 mm, ISO 500, 1/320, f6.3

We saw a pair of Jacanas by the side of the road around 40-50 feet away. They were not flying away and we all whipped out our gear and started shooting away. When I noticed my CF card was almost full I decided to try to get a closer shot by going around them. There was no road, sadly, and the only path had a lot of snakes! Yikes. But, when I went to one of the houses a woman told me they have a lot of birds I can see from her backyard. I went around and lo and behold another pair of Jacanas maybe 25 feet away. Just right for my 400mm. Yay. I took a few shots before they flew away. Before they left they gave me a gift of my favorite shot of the trip. A scenic view of the marshland plants and ponds with a flying Jacana preparing to land.

Pheasant Tailed Jacana


Canon 50D, 100-400, 400 mm, ISO 500, 1/320, f9.0

Masantol Marshlands and a Jacana


Canon 50D, 100-400, 400 mm, ISO 500, 1/500, f6.3

[mantarey]

Great set Tonji, the PTJ with very good eye contact and exposure is the best for me.

[Ely Teehankee]

:)Congratulations Tonji. That is the closest picture of a PTJ that I have ever seen. Well done. Mabuhay

[tina mallari]

WOW I'm so inggit. Your pictures turned out better than mine I won't bother posting na kasi nakakahiya my pictures.

Way to go Tonji !!!

[Martin Alvendia]

Nice set Tonji!

Love the rail shot. Looks like you guys struck gold.....seems like this place is a wonderful alternative to Candaba.

[William Lim]

Great set, Tonji.

[Jun Gregorio]

I agree with Rey on the PTJ.

I like the compo.

Tonji, it seemed that you max'd the reach of your 100-400 ;D

[Neon Rosell II]

These are awesome captures Tonji!! That was one close-up shot of the PTJ, it's good you explored the surrounding area while trying to get a closer shot at the ones we are shooting!!

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks for the kind comments, Rey, Ely, Tina, Martin,William, Jun and Neon.

Tina, I am sure your pictures and Sylvia's will be much better than mine.
Jun, the 400mm lens seems short when you are with Neon and his 600mm with 2x TC.
Martin, what we noticed was there were no ducks.
Neon, yup I was lucky there were more Jacanas in the back.

[Bob Kaufman]

You are now officially a "bird-nut" Tonji!

These are wonderful captures, particularly the Jacana.

[Ed Matuod]

BEAUTIFUL!