Duckscapes- Dreaming of Flying Ducks

[Tonji Ramos]

Martin, JP, Sylvia and I were in Candaba on a mission. We wanted to see the ducks in flight. We finally saw them far away from the Mayors place. Hundreds of ducks, hiding and sitting on the water. We could barely see them because of the distance and the plant cover so we decided to go home. When we started walking away they then decided to fly just as the sun was setting over the horizon.

I wish I had my 100-400, or even my 50 mm, instead I had a 500mm with a 1.4 tc. I use my big lens to get close and super sharp, I don't use it as a wide angle. Oh man, use what you have I guess. I just aimed for the ducks far away and took duckscapes. We only had a few moments before the sun disappeared completely. Some of the others did not bother taking photos and just looked at the sight. By the time I took my last picture it was dark.

Hundreds of flying ducks, very low golden light, and the setting sun, it almost seemed like a dream. I decided to post some of the pics that I hope capture the dreamy mood. The frenzy of hundreds of flying ducks glowing in the quickly failing light.

Philippine Ducks














First two photos taken with ISO 800, 1/640, f6.3
Last Photo ISO 800, 1/640, f5.6

[Luis (Chito) Limchiu]

Beautiful silhouettes like effect of the philippine ducks. The diagonal flight pattern of the birds and the orange evening skies complementing colors of the ducks enhanced the image. I am not sure if using shorter lens would be compositionally better as sometimes with the shorter lens you get a lot of distractions and the birds will appear as very small speck and completely unidentifiable.

[Tonji Ramos]

Glad you liked the pics Doc. I do agree that a shorter lens might have made the birds too small. I just hoped that I could get a shot with more of the ducks in one frame. But I guess you are right, they may have ended up unrecognizable. Plus I would have lost the thin DOF effect.

These were taken on the day we photographed the hunter. The sad footnote to these photos is that they ended up killing around 24 ducks that day according to Linda from WBCP. I suspect they killed more as I heard them as early as 7:30 am in three different locations. This flock won't last long at that rate.

[Toto Gamboa]

Great flock shots Tonji. The soft colors are nice. I agree it would have been nice if you had your 100-400, at least you got the flexibility to compose.

Very distrubing account on the hunter or is it hunters? how did WBCP get the number of kills? I assume the hunter got caught.

[bartolome"edd" lim c.]

what a capture,boss Tonji. especially at dusk, superb.

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks Bong and Toto.

Toto the number of ducks was given by a local, he is a breeder of native ducks. I assume its the same person we were with when the hunter was shooting with the floating blind. He was worried that his ducks might also be hit by the hunter.

[Ely Teehankee]

The ducks are probably safe for now. With his picture it won't be long that they will be able to catch up with him. Wonderful shots of the ducks with your camera of course. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.

[gabriel buluran]

Nice mood! Given this is a sanctuary, hunting is illegal right? So these hunters should really be apprehended. Let's just be careful when shooting pictures of them. They might shoot back.

[mantarey]

Beautiful birsdcape Tonji, must have been a lovely sight during the sunset.

[luna]

oh thank you for these pictures! i have been hoping to see the ducks since last week. on sunday i was told by some biker friends that the ducks were already there in great numbers. so on monday i went there again in the morning with some friends, and we did see them but they were too far away. i couldn't even see them well with my 10x50 binoculars. i am so happy to see them up close through your pictures (in flight too!).

[Ronnie Dominguez]

yes beautiful duckscape
if you have some darker silhouette shots, I wish you can post them too.

[Romy Ocon]

Love the sweet lighting, Tonji!

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks for the comments guys. These pics were an experiment I guess. I still don't know what works and what does not but I guess it is a learning process. So much to figure out. I guess thats whats fun about digital you can try different things and it does not cost anything except space on a CF card.

Ron- I did a black and white of the last pic maybe its more your cup of tea.

[alainpascua]

Beautiful, Tonji.... duckscape shot!

[JP Cariño]

nice warm light on your duckscape

[Mark Itol]

Lovely captures, Tonji.

[ppaaoolloo]

Great capture tonji:)