My last Candaba pics for the year.

[Tonji Ramos]

Its been a great year for our birding. 2009 is almost over just a week left. I have had great fun looking for birds in Candaba. I can't wait for next year.

I was in Candaba really early to catch this young Siberian Rubythroat. I was so early I was able to watch the meteor shower and see the moon set.

The 5D mk2 with its clean high ISO gave me the confidence to shoot a little faster with a smidge more DOF to make sure I got the shot. I think I will really enjoy this body.

Its nice that we now have the complete set, male, female and now the young male.

Siberian Rubythroat young male

5Dmk2, 500mm+1.4x TC, ISO 640, 1/320,f6.3, Plain Tina Beanbag (borrowed I still don't have my own!)



Sylvia and I have had lots of lifers in Candaba this year. Including these Northern Pintail.

Northern Pintail

5Dmk2, 500mm+1.4x TC, ISO 400, 1/1600, f 8.0 tripod



I never got a Spotted dove picture that I really liked. I have seen this bird everywhere: Alabang, Palawan, Sierra Madre...it did not matter this bird always gave me a dull photo. But in Candaba I got this mid day picture where the dove was so vivid.

Spotted Dove

5Dmk2, 500mm+1.4x tc, ISO 250, 1/500, f7.1, car window

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Eye poppers all of them! Congratulations on the lifers sir.

I love the spotted the dove the most! I think Vivid is an understatement here. And the technicals are also superb! I love how you were able to squeeze the subject inside the DOF at that angle! Superb! Absolutely superb sir!

[mantarey]

Awesome series Tonji. You're lucky the Spotted Dove gave you a nice headturn. The 5D2 is a good match for you being an early birder, you will really enjoy this body.

By the way, I don't think these will be your last for the year, the 26th looks like a good birding day.

[Mark Itol]

A great set to end the birding year, Tonji. Excellent captures all of them.

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks Edu, I am glad you liked the dove.

Thanks Mark. Its cool that you enjoyed the set.

Rey, thanks ...the 26th? Hmmm. You are right about the early birder. Here is the picture I told you about during the WBCP party. It was before sunrise. Still super dark. I heard voices so I set my shutter to 4 seconds and pointed it towards the voices. I used my 50D and 100-400 for this picture. It took me a few tries before I got one I liked. I did not use a tripod just the Plain Tina beanbag. No need to adjust exposure or colors in PP. Candaba really is eye candy in the morning.

Before Dawn in Candaba

[Toto Gamboa]

All superb shots Tonji. I love the Candaba landscape. Too bad I wasn't able to go to Candaba since few months ago. Tsk. January na lang!

[Tonji Ramos]

Hi Toto. Glad you liked the pictures. I am sure you will find lots of interesting birds when you go in January.

[Bert Madrigal]

birds or landscape, its still superb! great shots

[Ely Teehankee]

Hi Tonji. There are no pictures, please check what happened?

[Tonji Ramos]

Hi Ely, I think you can either reload or wait a bit. The pics should come out. It might be some sluggishness on the part of smugmug.

Thanks Bert.

[mantarey]

Wow brilliant landscape capture Tonji. It's so uniquely beautiful.

[Romy Ocon]

Excellent series, Tonji..... love the landscape "painting" too!

[William Lim]

These are beautiful shots, Tonji. I like the landscape shot. The color, exposure and the subject are just perfect.

[Ely Teehankee]

Very nice set of pictures. It certainly shows that a better piece of equipment also make a better picture. It sure brightens up your confidence. I am happy for you. I think you have a very good combination so I am not going to recommend anything to you for the meantime. Heh heh heh. Well done Tonji. Mabuhay.