Pratincoles of UP Los Baños

[Ely Teehankee]

I have had a lot of chances to go birding the last two months and also a lot of selecting, processing and sharing of the photos has to be done. At times it would rain but still there were opportunities to photograph the birds afterwards. The posting of the Painted Snipes by Tirso was enough to make me want to go to UP Los Baños. The added bonus is the Carabao "Quesong Puti" at the Animal Husbandry. I used to buy them for P5 each and they now cost P55 each. The minimum wage than was P8 a day. The cheese is as good as ever especially when fried with butter. Thank you Tirso for postponing your golf game to take me around. We saw the Painted Snipes at a distance but the Striated Swallow which is a lifer for me plus the Oriental Pratincole and Barred Buttonquail were more than enough to make up for it.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 800mm f5.6L IS USM, car window for lens support. Manual exposure in available light.



This tailless bird is always a thrill to be able to photograph. In his quest for something to eat and even while eating he keeps walking and walking. To stay healthy and active he has to eat as much as he can. For us we have to control our intake to stay healthy.
Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator)
1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator)
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 400




Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator)
1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 400





Thanks to Paul, what I thought was a Paddyfield Pipit is actually an
Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula)
1/500 sec., f/8, ISO 400




This is a lifer for me. It was very interesting to see how fast the birds were picking up mud with their beak until it literally fills up to a mouthful to use it as a binder with the dried grass to build their nest.
Striated Swallow (Hirundo striolata)
1/320 sec., f/8, ISO 400




Striated Swallow (Hirundo striolata)
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 400




Striated Swallow (Hirundo striolata)
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 400




This was taken early in the morning at 21.1 meters and at ISO 3200. I was pleasantly surprise to see that the bird's eye can still be seen quite clearly.
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200




This was the treat of the day. To be able to get them at a close distance with the sun almost overhead. They were quite still and it gave me a chance to compose them on the viewfinder with the rules of thirds in mind.
Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum)
1/320 sec., f/11, ISO 200




Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum)
1/320 sec., f/11, ISO 200




Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum)
1/500 sec., f/8, ISO 200

[Mark Itol]

Nice harvest from LB, Ely. The buttonquail looks so plump and the pratincole seems to look alert. I love the second swallow shot.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 17, 2011 17:33:57 GMT Mark Itol said:

Nice harvest from LB, Ely. The buttonquail looks so plump and the pratincole seems to look alert. I love the second swallow shot.

Thank you Mark. The Buttonquail are tailless and this makes them look round and plump. The Pratincole are on high alert any abrupt movement and away they go. It is amazing to see the swallows get the mud with their beak in several strokes which takes just a few seconds and they are gone.

[paulbourdin]

Some nice shots here. Your "Paddyfield Pipit" is in fact an Oriental Skylark though. Nice birds, and pretty easy to get close to, unlike other larks around the world.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 18, 2011 4:00:08 GMT paulbourdin said:

Some nice shots here. Your "Paddyfield Pipit" is in fact an Oriental Skylark though. Nice birds, and pretty easy to get close to, unlike other larks around the world.

Thank you Paul for the correct ID of this bird. There must be some distinct difference to make it easier for me not to make the same mistake in the future.

[Tirso Paris]

Beautiful shots Ely! We had the same subjects that day but I'm afraid my shots are a bit amateurish compared to yours. I particularly like your swallow and pratincole shots.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 18, 2011 10:31:39 GMT Tirso Paris said:

Beautiful shots Ely! We had the same subjects that day but I'm afraid my shots are a bit amateurish compared to yours. I particularly like your swallow and pratincole shots.

Thank you Tirso for your appreciation. It is not because you are an amateur because just like you I am also an amateur. The difference lies in the reach of our lenses. This is the reason why I chose the longest lens available for its reach. In other countries where the birds are not as afraid of people a 300mm lens will be as good if the subject is within 10 - 15 meters depending on the size of the bird.
In the realm of hunting its like comparing a 22 caliber rifle with a 30/06 rifle. For purchases in the future the following lenses should be considered, starting with the 800mm or the new 600mm and 500mm which is lighter and supposedly improve optics.

[gabriel buluran]

these are real nice captures ely! the striated swallows are my favorites!

cheers!

[JV Noriega]

Incredible captures always Ely! All of the above, i still have to see and photograph them, i should find time to visit the most recent favorite birding place UPLB!

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 18, 2011 13:11:23 GMT gabriel buluran said:

these are real nice captures ely! the striated swallows are my favorites!

cheers!

Thank you Gabs. Seldom you get opportunities like this where they are very close.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 18, 2011 16:09:53 GMT JV Noriega said:

Incredible captures always Ely! All of the above, i still have to see and photograph them, i should find time to visit the most recent favorite birding place UPLB!

Thank you JV. Birds don't stay very long in one place. Try to go there ASAP.

[mantarey]

Beautiful detailed captures Ely. You nailed the exposure and sharpness very well.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 19, 2011 15:38:21 GMT @mantarey said:

Beautiful detailed captures Ely. You nailed the exposure and sharpness very well.

Thank you Rey. Sometimes everything goes right and one can only be happy in moments like this.

[William Lim]

Beautiful captures, Ely. Exposure is perfect!

[Bobby Kintanar]

Another wonderful set, Ka Ambassador! :-)

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 21, 2011 9:36:14 GMT William Lim said:

Beautiful captures, Ely. Exposure is perfect!

Thank you William. The sun was shining that day. I like to go back one day when I long for the white cheese.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 21, 2011 9:49:52 GMT Bobby Kintanar said:

Another wonderful set, Ka Ambassador! :-)

Thank you Bobby. It is times like these that makes birding a wonderful experience.

[Adri Constantino]

congrats ambassador ely! nice pratincoles and buttonquail pics!

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 23, 2011 4:34:18 GMT Adri Constantino said:

congrats ambassador ely! nice pratincoles and buttonquail pics!

Thank you Adri. It was certainly a wonderful experience to take the pictures of these birds.