|
|
Post by Romy Ocon on Apr 27, 2011 6:40:51 GMT
From September up to April, the vast fishponds of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, are a favorite spot of migratory birds gorging on easy-to-catch farmed fish. I dropped by the area yesterday to check out the visiting birds. There are still quite many migrants around, but I ignored the waterbirds and instead concentrated on catching two raptor species that are fishpond regulars - the migratory Osprey and the resident Brahminy Kite. These are the closest captures I've ever taken of the Osprey. I counted at least 5 individuals of this migratory bird of prey, fishing all day and presumably trying to stock up on fuel for the long flight to their breeding grounds. Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus, migrant) Shooting Info - Sta. Cruz, Zambales, Philippines, 2011, Canon 1D MIV + EF 500 f4 IS + 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/516 support (identical settings for the three photos).    And one of another fishing raptor to break the Osprey monotony.  Brahminy Kite ( Haliastur indus, resident) Shooting Info - Sta. Cruz, Zambales, Philippines, 2011, Canon 1D MIV + EF 500 f4 IS + 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/6.3, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/516 support.  |
|
|
|
Post by Dennis Alfaro on Apr 27, 2011 8:04:41 GMT
Wow! great feather details.
love pic no. 3 of the Osprey Mastah
|
|
|
|
Post by mantarey on Apr 27, 2011 9:05:22 GMT
WOW. Fantastic captures Mastah Romy. Great DOF control, everything's in sharp focus and so lifelike. |
|
|
|
Post by tina mallari on Apr 27, 2011 9:33:03 GMT
man oh man !!! IDOL talaga kita. Perfect exposure etc etc etc etc - Excellent pictures IDOL Romy :-)
What an exciting day it must have been. I'm always thrilled whenever we are in Sta. Cruz. The hard part lang is the drive going there from Subic which is always our home base... It's so far !!! LOL.
|
|
|
|
Post by luisitoco on Apr 27, 2011 10:06:22 GMT
Super W O W Sir Romy!
|
|
|
|
Post by William Lim on Apr 27, 2011 10:13:38 GMT
Awesome, fantastic, wow, beautiful...etc  |
|
|
|
Post by Romy Ocon on Apr 27, 2011 10:15:51 GMT
Thanks, Dennis, Rey, Tina, Louie and William! man oh man !!! IDOL talaga kita. Perfect exposure etc etc etc etc - Excellent pictures IDOL Romy :-) What an exciting day it must have been. I'm always thrilled whenever we are in Sta. Cruz. The hard part lang is the drive going there from Subic which is always our home base... It's so far !!! LOL. You can check out Dawal Resort at nearby Candelaria town, just before you hit Sta. Cruz coming from Subic. They have decent rooms and a restaurant. You can go there straight from Manila and check in at about lunch time. Then you can bird in the afternoon and early morning after. It's about 10-15 minutes drive from the fishponds. It's tough to drive all the way from Subic, bird, then drive back exhausted . |
|
|
|
Post by romelbarrera on Apr 27, 2011 11:13:17 GMT
Hi, Romy.
Great shot!
Was this taken in Brgy. Malabago, north of Sta. Cruz, Zambales?
Romel
|
|
|
|
Post by Romy Ocon on Apr 27, 2011 11:18:31 GMT
Hi, Romy. Great shot! Was this taken in Brgy. Malabago, north of Sta. Cruz, Zambales? Romel Hi Romel, I'm not sure of the name of the barangay, but it's the fishpond area at the left of the road when one has just passed Sta. Cruz town proper going north. You've got a nice birding place there, and the fishpond folks are very friendly too! |
|
|
|
Post by Romy Ocon on Apr 27, 2011 11:21:15 GMT
This fellow just did a spectacular dive and was coming out of the water. Fish = 1, Osprey = 0, on this plunge. ;D Shooting Info - Sta. Cruz, Zambales, Philippines, 2011, Canon 1D MIV + EF 500 f4 IS + 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/516 support.  |
|
|
|
Post by Renoir Abrea on Apr 27, 2011 11:59:37 GMT
"speakless"
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark Itol on Apr 27, 2011 12:32:42 GMT
Superb set as always, Ka Mastah!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lydia Robledo on Apr 27, 2011 14:31:49 GMT
Sigh. I can only sigh... The 3rd Osprey is a sharp freeze in mid air with the spectacular angle. When can I shoot the BK that vivid and close? Someday my dream will come true. It is always a delight to see your posts Ka Mastah! telyds
|
|
|
|
Post by alainpascua on Apr 27, 2011 15:42:14 GMT
Bravo, Ka Mastah! All exellent as usual!
|
|
|
|
Post by Edwin Matias on Apr 28, 2011 0:02:51 GMT
Sir Romy,
Awesome Captures as always.....
Regards,
Edwin
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Albano on Apr 28, 2011 0:06:10 GMT
an inspirational shot for me sir Romy. thanks for sharing.. .
|
|
|
|
Post by Clemn A. Macasiano Jr. on Apr 28, 2011 2:12:46 GMT
What can I say Romy .... Looking at your photos make me want to delete all my BIF files . Need to find site and subject like this. As always .. Excellent work ... Mastah !
|
|
|
|
Post by iximapua2002 on Apr 28, 2011 12:31:12 GMT
Oh my gosh! What a beautiful set of pictures! Like Renoir I am "speakless" and like Lydia I sigh at the beauty of the pics...
I especially liked the osprey taking a dip in the water and splashing the water! Ganda!
|
|
|
|
Post by Edu Lorenzo Jr on Apr 28, 2011 12:31:37 GMT
all superlatives have been used.. hmmm.. HANEP!!! |
|
|
|
Post by Romy Ocon on Apr 29, 2011 1:34:05 GMT
Thanks again everyone for the comments! |
|
