Full framing a Purple SH in sweet Candaba light

[Romy Ocon]

After several years of trying, I was finally able to get close to the shy Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) at Candaba wetlands late afternoon yesterday. I bumped into Rey there, and I decided to roam around while Rey concentrated on the ducks. A couple of minutes later, I saw this baby along the earthen dike, out of the pond water where it usually forages.

I used my vehicle as a blind and I got so near (30 - 35 feet) that I used only the 1DM2 + 100-400 to get full frame captures, setting aside the longer 40D + 500 f4 IS + 1.4x TC.

Here's a resized full frame - 1DM2 + 100-400 IS, 400 mm, wide open, ISO 320, 1/400 sec, hand held, manual exposure in sweet late afternoon light:





And a 100% crop (processed):

[Bobby Kintanar]

Mind-boggling photography Ka Master - but we can expect no less from you! Still, you keep raising the bar!

[Manny Illana]

whoa! up close and personal! very nice romy.

[bindi]

Beautiful bird, and beautiful capture Romy!

[Martin Alvendia]

Love how the BG matches the color of the swamphen. This looks like a painting! Another masterpiece from the Master! BRAVO!!!!

[mantarey]

Wow, truly awesome capture. Like most of your photos, them birds seems to be posing for their best angle.

Nice to bump in to you in our favorite hangout.

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks folks for the comments.

Here's a couple of photos of the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), also from yesterday.

1. 1DM2 + 100-400 IS, 400 mm, f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, hand held, near full frame:





2. 40D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/10, 1/500 sec, ISO 200, bean bag:

[Ralf Nabong]

Holy cow, sir Romy! Am I dreaming or what? Looks like these birds are really in front of me!
What a standard you are setting for us to follow?
Thank you for the inspiring photos.

[tina mallari]

I can only DREAM of taking photos as fantastic as you do Romy. Another set of EXCELLENT photos !!!! You are truly a person to look up to

[Bob Kaufman]

Awesome shots!