S. Rubythroat in Baguio, Striated Swallow in La Trinidad

[Romy Ocon]

I made a quick visit this weekend to the City of Pines to check out the strawberry festival at nearby La Trinidad. I brought my lightweight birding combo (7D II + 400 f/4 DO II + 1.4x TC III) just in case some feathered friends are in the mood for a photo session.

True enough, I saw a Siberian Rubythroat at Camp John Hay where I stopped for breakfast. I got only a few documentary shots, but I was lucky to capture the more colorful male.

Meantime, while I was enjoying a pile of succulent strawberries at La Trinidad a few hours later, I noticed a flock of Striated Swallows zipping above the parking lot. I quickly dismounted the 1.4x TC III to make acquisition more manageable and to speed up the AF of the combo, both helpful in catching these fast BIFs.

Siberian Rubythroat (Luscinia calliope, migrant, male)

Shooting info - Elev. 1400 m ASL, Camp John Hay, Baguio City, March 6, 2016, Canon 7D MII + EF 400 f/4 DO IS II + EF 1.4x TC III, 560 mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 1/160 sec, manual exposure in available light, hand held, major crop resized to 1500x1000.

Striated Swallow (Hirundo striolata , resident)

Shooting info - Elev. 1315 m ASL, La Trinidad, Benguet, March 6, 2016, Canon 7D MII + EF 400 f/4 DO IS II, 400 mm, f/5.0, ISO 320, 1/2500 sec, manual exposure in available light, hand held, major crop resized to 1500x1000.

[Godfrey "Godo" Jakosalem]

Super like! Great capture Ka Mastah!

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Godo!

[Bobby Kintanar]

Both superb! I specially like the Rubythroat, but I also note the mastery in handling that combo to capture those fast and acrobatic Swallows in flight. Excellent job Ka Mastah!

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks for the kind comments, Bobby!

[Tateo Osawa]

Beautiful red color of the Rubythroat, one of nice bird for a photograph collection. BIF of Swallow is a great capture,Romy. Wonderful shots again!!

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Tateo-san!