Nightjars in Alabang

[tina mallari]

I had so much fun with Tonji and Sylvia in trying our best to take photos of the nightjars at the club inside our village.

We were there at around 5:30pm and while waiting around for the sun to go down and praying that the bats would come out so that the nightjars would soon follow, I had strong doubts that we would not see them that night because there were so many people playing in the field and exercising and relatives that I bumped into pa at the same area.

To top it off pa, I had a family dinner to attend at 6pm which I asked them to move to 6:30 and then later on Wency texted me and said that we can have dinner at 7pm instead - WOOO HOOOO Happiness !!!!

Good nalang Tonji and Sylvia told me to just wait - what a blessing these friends really are Thank you Tonji and Sylvia for the great company and the delicious peanuts ;D

I saw 3 nightjars while we were there but was only able to take photos of one.

My captures turned out yellowish but I'm still very happy with it. It was VERY NOISY too as in ultra mega noisy because I used ISO 1600. Oh yes, I had to remove the noise of course - to the best of my abilities.

Savanna Nightjar
40D + 500mm f/4 ; f/4 ; ISO 1600 ; 1/25 ; artificial light (2000 candle power flashlight) ; manual focus ; tripod

[Romy Ocon]

Wow..... great night shots, Plain Idol!

If these birds regularly appear, I suggest the use of 2 or 3 spotlights - one on the bird, and one each on the foreground and background. That will make the lighting more natural. You can also shoot a white object (e. g. bond paper) with the light you used to assist you in setting the right WB.

[Tonji Ramos]

Wow nice shots Tina.

Good detail

I got another flashlight. Hope its fully charged na for later. We can try Romy's suggestion.

[tina mallari]

Thanks Romy and Tonji. HehEhheHEheE then you'll have to bring one of your helpers to hold the other flashlight ;D Otherwise one of us won't be able to shoot again.

Thank you so much IDOL Romy for the tips. Much appreciated.

[Romy Ocon]

The effect of artificial lighting on the behavior of night birds has been a controversial topic in many forums. Since the bird's eyes are adapted to see its prey at the moment of darkness, a sudden bright lighting might indeed have some effect.

If we have to photo-document Philippine night birds, we have no choice but to use artificial lighting though. At worst, we should do it in moderation to minimize adverse effects if any - no more than a minute perhaps of actual shooting per session. We can set up and test exposure parameters on a grassy area without the bird first. Then when the bird is spotted, all that needs to be done is light/focus/burst. For the hawk owl at UP-Diliman, we spot lit it for no more than a minute.

[Ely Teehankee]

It must be quite exciting to be taking photos at night. What I like about it is that the eyes will surely shine. Well done Tina. Mabuhay.

[Tonji Ramos]

Yup sounds like good guidelines Romy. Best not to hurt our subjects.

[Sylvia Ramos]

Your pics came out very well Tina!

[Mark Itol]

Nice shots of the nightjar, idol Tins!

[Adri Constantino]

Hi Tina! Great shots!

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! great captures, Tina!! Now bird photography could be a done any time of day!! Woohoo!

[mantarey]

Very nice set Idol Tins. Great night bird photography.