HDV: Kingfisher vs. Whimbrel

[Romy Ocon]

Just a very short HD video (64 sec. length) of a Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) buzzing a Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) while the latter is foraging on a dried-up pond. ;D

Filmed in-habitat at San Juan, Batangas, Philippines, on April 16, 2010, using a Canon 7D + 400 2.8 IS + stacked Canon 2x/1.4x TCs. Music - "Epic Battle" by Marc Teichert.

[Clemn A. Macasiano Jr.]

Wow ! Excellent documentation Romy. Like the sound track too !

[mantarey]

Awesome video Mastah Romy, truly unique capture of what could be a videographer's once in a lifetime enounter of a territorial behavior of a Collared KF against a shorebird.

[Lydia Robledo]

Bravo! Short but precious. I love the whimbrel's display of agility to ward off an intruder. Thanks for sharing. telyds

[Ely Teehankee]

What a coincidence. As I was playing golf this morning I saw a White Collared Kingfisher do the same thing with two Barb Rails that were eating on the ground. They must be near its nest or something for the bird to be so aggressive. What a beautiful video and the music that goes with it makes it so much more exciting. I noticed that the Wimbrel had time to go on the defense when he saw the Kingfisher approaching. Thank you for sharing. Well done Romy. Mabuhay.

[Ralf Nabong]

Excellent production Ka Romy! Very engaging with very appropriate soundtrack!

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Boy, Rey, TeLyds, Ely and Bong!


I thought this Whimbrel's troubles were over. But no sir, later a feisty, skinny Stilt wants a piece of its rear portion too! ;D


Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)/Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Shooting info - San Juan, Batangas, April 16, 2010, 7D + 400 2.8 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 560 mm, f/5, ISO 250, 1/1600 sec, 475B/3421 support, near full frame, GPS Latitude = 13°48'04.24", GPS Longitude = 121°26'28.64".

[Raymon Maranga]

wow!!nice nice sir..and the sounds was make me scared ahahahhaha ..great sir,,

[des]

Hi Romy,
This seems to be the only thread on 7D video. It is a nice clip. Did you shoot this at 30 or 60fps? Any comments on how easy the 7D is to use for video?
many thanks
Des

[JV Noriega]

why do birds suddenly appear, everytime you are near? -- They must know it's you that's why they pose, and play and fight... knowing they are going to be photographed by Romy Ocon! great work, Mastah!

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Raymon, Des and JV!

Apr 19, 2010 9:59:07 GMT des said:

Hi Romy,
This seems to be the only thread on 7D video. It is a nice clip. Did you shoot this at 30 or 60fps? Any comments on how easy the 7D is to use for video?
many thanks
Des

Des, I shot in 1280x720-60 fps, then played it back as 24 fps in most of the footage for a 40% slomo.

The current Canon cameras with video (1D4, 5D2, 7D, 550D) allow a large degree of control in exposure, white balance and other parameters, but focus is mostly manual. Hence, these are not as easy to use as consumer videocams. However, if these DSLRs are used well in filming, the video quality is so good that even George Lucas is using such in some film projects intended to be shown in the big screen.

[des]

Thanks Romy. It sounds like I should get one. I have found that the autofocus on my XH-A1 is usually too unreliable to use anyway. It will often focus on something that is not the subject but the viewfinder is not sharp enough for me to know this until I get home and look at the video on a screen. I imagine that 1280-720 could be magnified a bit to zoom in if necessary. And since video is not as accurate as stills I could happily stack my 1.4X and my 2.0X in front of a 100-400 zoom. (?)
However, I already have problems finding birds in bushes and usually zoom right out and then back in, but I wouldn't have the same zoom out capability for finding the bird.
And I would need a lot of cards for a week hiking trip in the Sierra Madre or whereever.

cheers
Des

[Romy Ocon]

Apr 20, 2010 8:16:44 GMT des said:

Thanks Romy. It sounds like I should get one. I have found that the autofocus on my XH-A1 is usually too unreliable to use anyway. It will often focus on something that is not the subject but the viewfinder is not sharp enough for me to know this until I get home and look at the video on a screen. I imagine that 1280-720 could be magnified a bit to zoom in if necessary. And since video is not as accurate as stills I could happily stack my 1.4X and my 2.0X in front of a 100-400 zoom. (?)
However, I already have problems finding birds in bushes and usually zoom right out and then back in, but I wouldn't have the same zoom out capability for finding the bird.
And I would need a lot of cards for a week hiking trip in the Sierra Madre or whereever.

cheers
Des

The 100-400 + 2x TC should produce excellent video quality in full HD (1920x1080) or 1280x720. The HD video is effectively downressing the native capture by about 3x in one dimension, so you can easily use a 2x or even stacked 2x + 1.4x and quality is still great.

The HD video doesn't need a very fast CF card, and 133x is often enough. A 32 GB 133x card now goes for less than PHP 5K. You will need extra batteries though, and these aren't exactly cheap.