My Takes from Villa Lorenzo

[Mark Itol]

Sharing my photos from a visit to "Villa Lorenzo" last Sunday with Bert and some of his birdwatching class students.

With the Purple Swamphen showing up at 0800H, we were able to meet our "quota" early. Here's my shot of this huge species. Just look at those HUGE legs and toes.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio pulverulentus)
"Villa Lorenzo," Valenzuela, Metro Manila, 28 Feb 2010

40D + 400 f/5.6 L, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/250 sec, manual exposure, tripod/gimbal, +0.7 EV during conversion, full-frame


We were also treated with a constant sight of the resident night herons in mid-air...

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
"Villa Lorenzo," Valenzuela, Metro Manila, 28 Feb 2010

40D + 400 f/5.6 L, ISO 640, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure, handheld, full-frame (canvas extended)


40D + 400 f/5.6 L, ISO 640, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure, handheld, full-frame

[Ely Teehankee]

All beautiful pictures. I have to go back and try to capture some BIF maybe this time with a shorter lens. They are too near for me to use the long lens. I will have to speak to my friend who discovered Villa Lorenzo if you know what I mean. He and his friend reminds of Magellan who discovered the Philippines. Well done Mark. Mabuhay.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Incredible captures mark!!!! I think that is the most complete photo we have of the Swamphen (with feet and all)

I have it on video behaving just like the waterbird that it is (flicking its tail every second) but am too lazy to upload hahaha!

[Ariel Matias]

These are truly EXCELLENT shots! I liked all! Congratulations!

[Romy Ocon]

Love the bokeh on the PSW and amazing detail on the BIFs, Mark!!!

[Ralf Nabong]

Amazing detail Mark!

[tina mallari]

Excellent captures Mark !!! I really have to visit Villa Lorenzo one of these days. The birds seem to be all "giants" over there

[Lydia Robledo]

Oh Mark, those are beautiful shots. I hope we can go birding together soon so I can get showers of skills. You'd do well with butterflies, too, you know. telyds

[Sylvia Ramos]

That Swamphen, wow!! The legs and toes are so fascinating!
All these shots are really nice, congrats! The lighting looks great.

[Toto Gamboa]

Wooooooooooow. You nailed it in full mark! Great shot on this PS.

[Mark Itol]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Villa Lorenzo is one of those places where you'd wish you had a shorter lens. Makes good practice for composing in-camera.

[Ding Carpio]

You seem to have mastered that 400mm, Mark!

[Mark Itol]

Thanks, Ding. It's just nice when the birds are near and the light is good.

[ppaaoolloo]

Congratulations for taking the complete photo of the swamphen. It is an achievement I hope to one day be able to do.