Amusingly Difficult but Challenging

[Ely Teehankee]

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 800mm f5.6L IS USM, Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, M-3.6 Mongoose Gimbal Action Head. Manual exposure in available light.

There are times that it gets to be very difficult to take a picture of a bird. This pair of Philippine Frogmouth (Batrachostomus septimus) 9 inches, was 90 degrees straight up and I have to shorten one of the legs of the tripod so that the camera can be pointed at them. Than I had to sit on the ground that was still wet because of the morning dew, tighten the vertical and horizontal adjustments, and squeeze the shutter as gently as possible so that there will not be any shake. It was dark and I took this picture at 1/15 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600. The result was surprisingly good and we were all happy about it as it is rare to see a pair of Frogmouth together. One of my favorite pictures of the Frogmouth because of the rarity to see a pair together. Some friends have remarked that the Frogmouth looks so ugly. As for me they are uniquely beautiful. I am delighted to have this picture.

[William Lim]

Nice capture, Ely. I just can imagine your position.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 25, 2012 13:12:29 GMT William Lim said:

Nice capture, Ely. I just can imagine your position.

Thank you William. It was funny. I should have had my picture taken.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Wonderful capture, Ely. Are they juveniles?

[Adri Constantino]

Great Ely! Is this in Bohol also? or is this in BK Valley?

[oespena]

The photo still sharped even though the shutter speed is 1/15sec. Very nice!!!

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 26, 2012 4:18:33 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Wonderful capture, Ely. Are they juveniles?

Thank you Ramon. I do not know for sure but they look like a couple as they seem to be full size. I hope Des sees this thread so he can tell us how he sees it. Des is the expert in birds.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 26, 2012 4:27:20 GMT Adri Constantino said:

Great Ely! Is this in Bohol also? or is this in BK Valley?

Thank you Adri. I saw this pair in BISU, Bohol.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 26, 2012 4:33:15 GMT oespena said:

The photo still sharped even though the shutter speed is 1/15sec. Very nice!!!

Thank you Onie. This is one of the reasons why I like it very much. The situation was very challenging and the result satisfying.

[Tateo Osawa]

Very nice capture, Ely. different image, !! a nice photo !!

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 26, 2012 14:44:00 GMT Tateo Osawa said:

Very nice capture, Ely. different image, !! a nice photo !!

Thank you Tateo. The Philippine Frogmouth is a very unusual bird with its widemouth like that of a frog. The eyes are slanted and makes it look like a sleepy bird. Some people think its ugly, but in reality it is a unique and beautiful bird.