Rainy Escudero

[Bob Kaufman]

My wife Cynthia and I, together with friends Tirso Paris and Peter Ting visited Villa Escudero last July 28th. It was raining off and on but we were still lucky to see and photograph the local birds, including, of course, the resident celebrity the Indigo-banded Kingfisher.

Indigo-banded Kingfisher
Canon 5DMkII, 500mm+1.4X, Gimbal head on tripod
1/100, f5.6, ISO-3200, Tv


A real surprise was when a Common Emerald Dove landed on the rock where the IBK usually perches. According to Carmela Balcazar, it is a rare opportunity to have a picture of the Emerald Dove taken at the dining area.

Common Emerald Dove
1/30, f5.6 ISO-3200, Tv


While we were waiting for the appearance of the IBKs, a couple of attention-starved Philippine Magpie Robins were practically begging for their picture to be taken always posing very near to us.

Philippine Magpie Robin
1/250, f5.6, ISO-3200


Around Hacienda Escudero we saw several birds drying their feathers after a heavy downpour.

Long-tailed Shrike
1/1250, f5.6, ISO-640, Tv


Paddyfield Pipit
1/200, f5.6, ISO-3200, Tv


White-browed Crake
1/1250, f6.3, ISO-800, Tv


For the stories behind these photos, please my blog at
ornithographer.blogspot.com/2012/07/they-come-indigo.html
ornithographer.blogspot.com/2012/07/drying-to-meet-you.html

[peterting]

Beautiful ..... When are we going back ?

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Nice harvest, Bob.

[Tirso Paris]

Great set Bob. Your capture of the Indigo-banded Kingfisher and the Emerald Dove are super!

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Peter!

Let's go back after the rains.

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Ramon. I appreciate it.

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Prof. Tirso. Got lucky on those, especially the Emerald Dove.

[Mick Harris]

Great set of shots

[Ely Teehankee]

Wow, that is what I would call irrefutable proof that it was raining. LOL. Considering the condition, it is still time well spent with birds and friends. The birds are all good looking in spite of their wet look.
Well done Bob & Mabuhay.

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Mick!

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Ely!

Sometimes patience really pays off. We waited for the rains to stop and hoped that some birds would come out...and they did!

[Tateo Osawa]

All nice shots, Bob. Specially I like #2 Emerald Dove.

[tina mallari]

Villa Escudero is always a treat for me whether the birds come out or not. I feel so relaxed whenever I am there and nice to drive around too while looking for the birds.

Happy that you were able to take lots of very nice photos Bob.

[Mark Itol]

What a haul despite the rain, Bob. Beautiful images.

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Tina. Villa Escudero is indeed a birder's paradise!

[Bob Kaufman]

Thank you, Tateo! It was pure luck that the Emerald Dove landed close to where we were.

[Bob Kaufman]

Thanks, Mark! Thankfully we had moments of clear skies just when the IBKs decided to appear.

[Bob Kaufman]

By the way, just an FYI, very minimal post processing were done on these photos. A little sharpening, some added contrast and a tad saturation on some. And of course, cropping according to taste. ;D