HDV: A Nesting Philippine Bulbul

[Romy Ocon]

After many weeks of not being able to shoot video at birds, I finally got another chance yesterday..... a video-lifer for me. Interestingly, the KG's description of the nest of this species is spot on. ;D



Common name : Philippine Bulbul
Scientific name: Hypsipetes philippinus (a Philippine endemic)
Habitat: Forest, edge and second growth, from lowlands to over 2000 m.
Total length: 223 mm.

CAPTURE INFORMATION:

San Juan, Batangas province, Philippines, May 14, 2009, Canon 5D2 + Canon 100-400 L IS + Sennheiser MKE 400 mic, Manfrotto 475B/3421 support, available light, 1920x1080 capture processed and resized to 1280x720, noise/hiss in audio cleaned up a bit.

[Ely Teehankee]

It was very enjoyable to watch the birds being fed. You have made it a wonderful way to start my day. Congratulation Romy on another fine video. Mabuhay.

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Ely. My son Pogito saw the nest about 10 minutes before we were to leave the place, it saved the sortie.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! Nice video Ka Mastah!! If I was just there I would not let this opportunity pass-by, I would have followed where you have left.

Just an observation, with nesting birds with nestlings already, setting up your rig as close as possible and leaving it running while you move away would generate a more natural behavior and much more activity. 12 min which is the max the 5D2 video could shoot would be long enough to capture a lot of activity when the birds don't feel threatened.

[Romy Ocon]

May 15, 2009 1:31:14 GMT Neon Rosell II said:

Wow!! Nice video Ka Mastah!! If I was just there I would not let this opportunity pass-by, I would have followed where you have left.

Just an observation, with nesting birds with nestlings already, setting up your rig as close as possible and leaving it running while you move away would generate a more natural behavior and much more activity. 12 min which is the max the 5D2 video could shoot would be long enough to capture a lot of activity when the birds don't feel threatened.

Thanks, partner! You hit the nail on the head, I was actually full of regrets when I was driving home at the STAR tollway. I was blaming myself for not using a wide angle (my Sigma 24 1.8) on this bird, as the nest can be approached very closely. I should've set it up on a tripod near the nest, and left the video rolling by itself. I would've gotten more detail of the nestlings, wider view and deeper DOF!

[Bob Kaufman]

Superb video as usual, Mastah.