Indigo-banded Kingfishers of Majayjay

[Tirso Paris]

I was part of a contingent of 14 bird photographers who went to Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna on July 13, 2012. In addition to the picturesque falls and the rocky river downstream, it is a wooded area which has several bird species. Those that have been reportedly seen include kingfishers, malkohas, various flowerpeckers, etc.

Despite the fact that only bird that really showed up was a female Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopectus), the group was treated with a fantastic opportunity to photograph the bird at close range, and to many of us the IBK was a lifer! It would jump from one rock to another, sometimes trying to catch a small fish or insect, and often it would come close to even within five meters or less. However, it seemed to move around a lot and under a low light situation, obtaining really sharp pictures was quite a challenge. To me, this beauty made my day, and Taytay Falls is so beautiful that I would not hesitate to go back.

Note: The main approach to the road leading to the falls will be repaired very soon so it may not be accessible by car for an extended period.

All pictures were taken with a Canon EOS 7D, EF100-400mm, a tripod, under natural light.

2012-07-13 09:18, 1/80 sec, Shutter priority, F 8, ISO 1000, 560 mm



2012-07-13 09:22, 1/500 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 2500, 400 mm



2012-07-13 09:38, 1/400 sec, Shutter priority, F 8, ISO 3200, 560 mm



2012-07-13 09:49, 1/400 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 2500, 400 mm



2012-07-13 09:53, 1/400 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 2000, 400 mm



2012-07-13 09:53, 1/400 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 1250, 400 mm
http://www. tbparis. com/photos/pbpf/IBK-006.jpg[/IMG]


2012-07-13 10:21, 1/25 sec, Manual, F 5.6, ISO 250, 400 mm



2012-07-13 10:22, 1/25 sec, Manual, F 5.6, ISO 200, 400 mm



2012-07-13 10:23, 1/160 sec, Manual, F 5.6, ISO 1600, 400 mm



2012-07-13 10:24, 1/160 sec, Manual, F 5.6, ISO 2000, 400 mm



2012-07-13 10:44, 1/20 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 3200, 400 mm



2012-07-13 10:50, 1/40 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 1250, 400 mm



2012-07-13 11:00, 1/50 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 2500, 400 mm



2012-07-13 11:16, 1/25 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 200, 400 mm

[Ely Teehankee]

Congratulations on your lifer. I like the first & third picture most of all, as it gives more feather details with the use of a 1.4 TC. It also shows how the IBKF uses its tail to balance on the slippery rock. Very nice series Tirso. Well done & Mabuhay.

[Bob Kaufman]

Wow, these are really up close shots of the IBK! I like the 5th photo the best because of the angle.

Congrats on the lifer, Prof!

[Tirso Paris]

Thanks a lot Ely! Too bad we missed the male which was later spotted downstream. I would have wanted to capture the heart-shaped orange breast.

[Clemn A. Macasiano Jr.]

Beautiful series Tirso . . . It's one bird in my dream list. Ganda !

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 14, 2012 4:16:25 GMT Bob Kaufman said:

Wow, these are really up close shots of the IBK! I like the 5th photo the best because of the angle.

Congrats on the lifer, Prof!

Thanks a lot Bob. Now that I've been to the place, I can guide you if and when you want to visit Taytay Falls.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 14, 2012 5:33:54 GMT Clemn A. Macasiano Jr. said:

Beautiful series Tirso . . . It's one bird in my dream list. Ganda !

Thanks a lot DocBoyMac. Now, in addition to Villa Escudero, we know of a place where we would likely find the IBKF.

[Lydia Robledo]

Those are all fantastic shots, Prof. Tirso. In addition to Makiling Botanical Garden (by Molawin Creek) and Villa Escudero, you'd see the IBKF in Majayjay, all in Laguna. In my butterfly watching trip by the falls more than 5 years ago, the IBKF fascinated me, too. When it flew in near me, I thought it was a butterfly. It was very close, that I could not take a shot and just had to watch. Another place with so many IBKF, (we counted more than twenty) was in Ipo Dam. It was so common and so close but you need to shoot from the banca. It is a very pretty bird that even if you have fantastic shots of it, it's irresistible when you see it. It's fit to be a celebrity bird. It was great to see and talk to you in the party. telyds

[tina mallari]

WOW !!!! Really amazing set Prof. Tirso. I have my favorites too but I'd be ecstatic with any of these shots if I were the one taking the photos.

[Clemn A. Macasiano Jr.]

Jul 14, 2012 5:51:56 GMT Tirso Paris said:

Jul 14, 2012 4:16:25 GMT Bob Kaufman said:

Wow, these are really up close shots of the IBK! I like the 5th photo the best because of the angle.

Congrats on the lifer, Prof!

Thanks a lot Bob. Now that I've been to the place, I can guide you if and when you want to visit Taytay Falls.

I'll tag along ....

[Tateo Osawa]

All very nice capture Tirso. I like the last one very much.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 14, 2012 18:29:11 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

Those are all fantastic shots, Prof. Tirso. In addition to Makiling Botanical Garden (by Molawin Creek) and Villa Escudero, you'd see the IBKF in Majayjay, all in Laguna. In my butterfly watching trip by the falls more than 5 years ago, the IBKF fascinated me, too. When it flew in near me, I thought it was a butterfly. It was very close, that I could not take a shot and just had to watch. Another place with so many IBKF, (we counted more than twenty) was in Ipo Dam. It was so common and so close but you need to shoot from the banca. It is a very pretty bird that even if you have fantastic shots of it, it's irresistible when you see it. It's fit to be a celebrity bird. It was great to see and talk to you in the party. telyds

Hi Telyds, thank you so much for your kind words. Thanks too for the tips on other places for the IBKF. I appreciate also your time to talk with me at the WBCP Party.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 15, 2012 2:40:49 GMT tina mallari said:

WOW !!!! Really amazing set Prof. Tirso. I have my favorites too but I'd be ecstatic with any of these shots if I were the one taking the photos.

Thanks a lot Tina. One of these day we should go together to Taytay. We're going to Villa Escudero too, aren't we?

[Tirso Paris]

DocBoyMac, PM us when you are around. I could accompany you there, but better with a group.

[Tirso Paris]

Thank so much Tateo.

[Mark Itol]

Nice set, Prof. Tirso! Looks like you had a lot of fun shooting this beauty.

[Tirso Paris]

Thanks Mark! Yes, we really did have lots of fun but next time around I hope to capture too the male IBKF.