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Post by Ding Carpio on Jan 7, 2012 22:33:41 GMT
Thanks Ely & Ramon.
An upgrade on my gear is tempting but still competes with my new addiction: woodworking. I promise to bet on the lotto every week. Who knows...
To everyone else: My weekends are booked solid through early Feb (wedings, trips, eyeballs...). But I know how important this bird is to everyone. I will try to squeeze in some Saturday morning.
You may also try contacting Karen Ochavo, a WBCP member who is also from Manila Water (works in my group).
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Post by Ding Carpio on Jan 7, 2012 10:25:17 GMT
Yet another Eagle Owl thread! (But I thought this one desrves its own because it's the immature. Ely, Ralf, Mark, and Bert; post you photos here!) Yesterday, we staked out the Eagle Owl starting at 5PM. I invited Ely because of a sinister motive: I wanted to borrow his 1dMk4+300mm2.8+2x! He obliged; I knew birders would lend their house for summer just to get access to this bird. Nya-a-ah. As it got darker, the immature, started bobbing its head beyond the ledge of the planter box of the building. After a few minutes, the Dad flew in and Mom flew out. Dad had a few words with his kid then left. Sorry for the bad quality pf the photo. It was too dark for focusing. Then, when it was almost really dark, the immature hopped on the ledge and used it as his stage to put on a show for us! It was one heck of a show. The kid was doing can-can, broadway, and tap-dancing for us. Would've been perfect except for one thing: it was pitch black. And, bow:
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Post by Ding Carpio on Jan 2, 2012 21:33:46 GMT
Clear and sharp photos, Ely. I'm amazed at the quality of the photos even at high ISOs. That MarkIV is one awesome camera. Of course, you've managed to complement it with your photography skills.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Jan 1, 2012 12:52:19 GMT
I hear different stories from different people, Ramon. One story is that there were three of them. One owl, rather old and sick, fell and was picked up and brought home. The remaining two still reside up at the corner of the building (which is inaccessible to humans). But yes, I'll do some poking around and find out.
You are most welcome to come back, Ramon, when you've figured out how to sort out your camera. Will let you know if the owl is still there. Unfortunately, it'll have to wait a few days; I have a business trip tomorrow.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Oct 19, 2011 4:24:09 GMT
Travelling without gear! Tsk...tsk...tsk.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Apr 28, 2011 21:26:21 GMT
Thanks, teLyd & Rey. Boat still some months away to completion.
It is sad that the Phil Cuckoo DOve did not appear this year. Was hoping to take some easy backyard shots just to keep my shutter finger alive. It was an El Nino year and the doves' favorite tree blossomed late and sparsely. I hope they return when the climate becomes more aggreeable next year.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Apr 26, 2011 13:23:05 GMT
Thanks, guys. Learned later that it was a python. Feel sop guilty for panicking. Am normally OK with snakes. I guess after than Phil Cobra invaded my family room, got a bit too jumpy.
In hindsight, it was one beautiful snake.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Apr 22, 2011 5:58:37 GMT
Found this snake coiled around a plant near our front door. I think it's a python so it should not be poisonous but was not very sure. Tried driving it away with a stick; didn't want to kill it but just make it go out into the nearby forest. But it kept coming back into the garage. When I tried to prod it with a stick, it started attacking. Had no choice but to whack it. Was not sure if it's poisonous or not. Later, I noticed that there were no more tree frogs in our lanai (which used to have about a dozen of the nimble light-brown creatures).
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Post by Ding Carpio on Feb 2, 2011 9:28:36 GMT
Thanks, guys. I should be visiting the site about once a month so I will continue to look for those hornbills. How I wish I could take you all there. Restricted.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Feb 1, 2011 20:26:12 GMT
Been sometime, dear friends. Had a quick spin in Angat the other day for work. But managed to bring my long lens. While having lunch by a river, the guys with me called my attention to some large birds in a tree above us. Before I could set up, the birds flew so I just clicked away. The sun was in my eyes so, with just the dark shadow I could see, I made a bold guess: "They're Grey-headed Fish-Eagles!" Rufous HornbillCanon 40D + Canon 400mmL + Kenko 1.4x TC f/5.6, 1/50s, ISO160 handheld, manual focus, manual exposure (it shows!) On the way back while on the boat, somewhat redeemed myself with these shots: OspreyCanon 40D + Canon 400mmL + Kenko 1.4x TC f/5.6, 1/50s, ISO160 handheld, manual focus, manual exposure (it shows!)
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Post by Ding Carpio on Dec 23, 2010 22:59:47 GMT
Oooh! Been lurking and drooling for sometime now. Fantastic shots!
Looks like I'm the only one that hasn't shot this beauty yet. And it's right in my own backyard!
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Post by Ding Carpio on Oct 28, 2010 4:43:48 GMT
Thanks, guys.
OT. Just got back this morning from a visit at La Mesa watershed. Met up with the Bantay Kalikasan folk and toured inside. My job recently changed (sam company) and part of my responsibility now is caring for watersheds (La Mesa, Ipo) as well as all treatment plants and facilities (Balara). This means I am now responsible for preservation and other environmental concerns.
If any of you would have some ideas and/or suggestions, I'd welcome them.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Oct 27, 2010 13:05:49 GMT
Hey, you're alive Ding!!! Wow, awesome project. Is the design photog-friendly? Thinking about chasing a grey-headed raptor somewhere. BTW, I think Tonji is also into sailing. Yes, next to you, Tonji's the worst influence in my life! He introduced me to a fellow boatbuilder who convinced me one needs litle woodworking skills and a budget less than a good cellphone to build a nice sailboat. Well, that's one expensive cellphone and, so far, had to recall all those cabinetry skills I had once upon a time. She'll be photog-friendly if, by that, you mean if she'll be stable enough while shooting. She'll be a mini-cruiser, not a racer so the ride will be relaxed and easy. She'll look something like this: On the grey-headed raptor, just let me know when you're up to it. I'm sure I can spare a Sat morning and take you on the patrol boat and hunt for it in La Mesa. Serious!
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Post by Ding Carpio on Oct 27, 2010 11:23:03 GMT
Hello! No this is not a message from the grave. Still very much alive. Been sometime. New job (same company). Been traveling. Lots of work. Miss you guys. But also have a new project that I've been busy with over weekends. Thought it's about time I shared it with my good friends here. No that's not a photo of some fossilized bird. It's actually a boat I'm building with my son. She'll be a 23 foot gaff-rig sailboat. Built the classic way. With bright finish (meaning clear-varnished hull), bronze fittings, wooden cleats...and it'll cost me less than a 500mm prime! So, my dear friends, I hope you will all forgive me for being scarce for about another year more. Hope to get you aboard then!
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Post by Ding Carpio on Oct 17, 2010 1:22:54 GMT
Salamat lit, fellow nuts!
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Post by Ding Carpio on Oct 13, 2010 20:38:55 GMT
Thanks, everyone! Great to know friends do not forget even the neglectful one.
Turned 50 yesterday and thought I'd do something meaningful about it so spent it at my favorite orphanage in Antipolo. Took the day off, got some Jollibee, a pair of clowns, and a bunch of toys and had a great day with little kids. Best birthday of my life (so far!).
BTW, I know I got lots of text msg greetings yesterday morning but, as I was about to read them, my phone died. I'm using a service unit now and all my contact nos. are lost so, to the greeters, thanks, and sorry if I could not respond.
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Post by Ding Carpio on Aug 1, 2010 11:36:19 GMT
Oooh. That's an awesome Trogon.
Photos like this make me miss birding!
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Post by Ding Carpio on Jul 9, 2010 12:26:58 GMT
Let me get mushy for a bit... really missed you guys. After your replies, the warmth of friendship coursed through these old veins (or are they called arteries?) On the bird: Actually, the lens was a zoom: 18-85mm (if I recall correctly). Photoshop says I shot at 47mm. Trip was fun but really exhausting. My son graduated from HS so, as a gift, took the family to ALL the places I've been in Europe (minus UK). Had to recover from both expense and fatigue. One of the most fun part was when I rented a car to drive from Rome to Venice, stopping many days in Tuscany, I got a FREE upgrade to this car: One of those rare photos I'm in the frame (wife shot it). So, as I write this message, I am listenting to a long bunch of Italian tenors to relive the moments. Of course, I don't understand a single word of the songs...Ooooo sooole miiiio.... Ahhh...the gods must be with me that time, Zeus or otherwise. Master, yes, there were some really interesting places in that district you were talking about. When they say "red light district", it was literally "red light". One walks through narrow alleys and whenever you see a lit red light, there is a full frame window underneath it with delicacies of various forms and sizes attired in creative foliage that puts a Coppersmith Barbet to shame. teLyd, sorry missed Ipo sortie. But Ipo is something we can do anytime (given time). In June, had to fly on some business trips and one was in Beijing. Wanted to take photos as it was my first time but found the place depressing. Sky was forever gray. The sun was just a slightly brighter smudge in the sky. Maybe I was imagining it but I think I can chew the air. Wonder how the birds were doing but they seem to be flitting by, oblivious to the aerial muck they wing through. So glad I live in this country. Till next message...Ciao!
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Post by Ding Carpio on Jul 8, 2010 13:56:53 GMT
Ok. Ok. Ok. I'm still alive. Been extremely busy. To reincarnate myself. let me share these photos of a Grey Heron in its natural habitat shot with only about 50mm lens! Oh well. Here's the heron and its habitat. Yep. Been in Amsterdam. Actually been with my family roaming around for most of May. Then, when I got back in June, work has a naughty and vengeful way of piling up doubly fast while one is away. Paperwork piled as high as the WTC twin towers. Was hoping some crazy kamikaze pilot would crash into them. As I tried to catch up, had to fly out again for about two weeks. So, now assaulting a year's work that seemed to crop up in two months. Also had to start on a rather major project at home with my son (more of that in future messages). Hope to be clicking away again soon!
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Post by Ding Carpio on May 23, 2010 7:04:43 GMT
Great capture, Neon! Did you just get it in the public area or did you have to sneak into the trail at the back?
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