For JP

[Ding Carpio]

JP couldn't make it to La Mesa this morning so Ely, Tonji, Sylvia and I went without him.

We dedicate this shot to JP :

Grey-headed Fish Eagle

^{Canon 40D+Canon400mmL+Kenko1.4xTC
Manfroto monopod, Benro gimbal head
f/8, 1/640s, ISO160
manual exposure, manual focus}

Watch out. This bunch probably shot a lot of great Grey-headed Fish Eagle photos.

[Jun Osano]

Oh I missed the trip.

This is a nice "spread-eagle" shot. Any other scheduled trips Ding?

[ppaaoolloo]

Wah... sayang.

[Ely Teehankee]

Wow its a beautiful shot of the GHFE. I did not get any good shot of this bird so that might be a consolation for JP. Perfect timing Ding. Thank you for taking us with you, it is much appreciated. Congratulations on this fine capture. Well done. Mabuhay.

[Neon Rosell II]

[Ely Teehankee]

Poor Neon. He is crying already. Don't worry in about two weeks time you will be free. I am certain that Ding has a soft heart and will take you birding too.

[Clemn A. Macasiano Jr.]

Wow ! Sayang JP ! he hehe

[mantarey]

WHAT A SHOT.

Way to go Ding, that is one impressive capture.

[Ding Carpio]

Thanks, everyone. There's lots more. Just PPed this one for a quick post. But I'm sure Tonji and Sylvia have far better BIF ones with their AF lenses.

Yoohoo, JP, yoohoo...

[Tonji Ramos]

Great capture Ding.

Thanks for taking time out during your family time to show us around. We really appreciate it. And the Grey Headed Fish Eagle is a great lifer for us to start the year. What a bird!

So is it true you are not planning another trip to La Mesa till next year?

[Ding Carpio]

Jan 2, 2010 10:52:55 GMT Tonji Ramos said:

So is it true you are not planning another trip to La Mesa till next year?

Absolutely true!

I have had it. Bored stiff of that whats-its-name eagle.

Oooooh..so much fun to be bad. ;D

[Lydia Robledo]

So you have now become Bad Pipit. telyd

[gabriel buluran]

I like the body contortion... was it angling its lower body for a kill?

[William Lim]

Beautiful, it looks mean and ready for a kill.

[Romy Ocon]

Woowwwww..... very nice take off shot of this rarely photographed raptor, Ding!

[Ding Carpio]

Jan 2, 2010 12:27:09 GMT gabriel buluran said:

I like the body contortion... was it angling its lower body for a kill?

No, it wasn't. It was just taking off from a perch. The way it takes off is that it first jumps off a branch, then, as it is falling down, it spreads its wings then flaps.

It would always take off when we got a little close to it but it would always perch on a branch by the water's edge so we just sailed to the approximate location of the other side of each "peninsula" it flew to and find it there. We did this four times and always successfully stalked it. It also always takes off in the direction its body was facing so it's always lucky if you see it facing you so that, when it takes off, it shows you the full Monty.

Yoohoo, JP, yoohoo...

[alainpascua]

Wow, what a shot, Ding!

I noticed you were using Manfroto monopod and Benro gimbal head.... You mean to say, you put the Benro half-gimbal head on the monopod? You didn't have difficulty using a monopod instead of a tripod?

[Dennis Alfaro]

great shot Ding.
i just hope that i can free up some sked and can join the next boating trip

[Ding Carpio]

Jan 3, 2010 5:15:09 GMT @alainpascua said:

I noticed you were using Manfroto monopod and Benro gimbal head.... You mean to say, you put the Benro half-gimbal head on the monopod? You didn't have difficulty using a monopod instead of a tripod?

Yes. Attached the half-gimbal on the monopod.

The boat was tight and moving so the firmness of a tripod is lost. I used the monopod just so that I don't get tired handholding, not really for stability.

[Ralf Nabong]

Great action shot Ding!

I love the menacing look in its eye, ready to pounce on its prey!