Ready to go forth and multiply

[Romy Ocon]

I visited this coastal town with the primary intention of buying some fresh fish (much cheaper and fresher here than in Metro Manila). I happened to have my photo gear in the car, so I did some birding on the side (apologies to Edu). ;D ;D ;D

Not many birds because the ponds are dried up, but I got two ice boxes full of fresh fish at unbelievable prices - almost alive salinas (tuyo when dried) @ PHP 20/kg, great as paksiw, fried or kinilaw. Fresh squid was at PHP 70/kg, live alimasag at PHP 200/kg (relatively pricey but very fat), and gindara at PHP 100/kg. Ice is also available and cheap right beside the public market.

I'll live like a water bird for the next few days, hehehe.


Meantime, here's a San Juan regular which is already sporting the exciting plumage.


Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis, resident/migrant)
Shooting info - San Juan, Batangas, April 16, 2010, 7D + 400 2.8 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 560 mm, f/5, ISO 200, 1/200 sec, bean bag, major crop, GPS Latitude = 13°48'11.1857", GPS Longitude = 121°25'46.6696".







And here's how beautiful the light was at San Juan, too bad there weren't a lot of birds.

MT. BANAHAW AT SUNSET. This enchanted mountain at nearby Quezon province towers over the newly harvested ricefields of San Juan, Batangas.

Shooting info - San Juan, Batangas, April 15, 2010, Nokia N97, 5.4 mm, f/2.8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, hand held, GPS Latitude = 13°48'11.1857", GPS Longitude = 121°25'46.6696", GPS Altitude = 19m ASL.

[Ely Teehankee]

The all white Cattle Egret has a very nice & colorful breeding plumage which make it so much more beautiful. The picture is sharp and with the glint on the eye, its a picture that I like to take. Well done Romy. Mabuhay.

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Ely!



Adding a couple of San Juan regulars.

These white birds are kinda photogenic during landing because they spread out their wings to brake and extend their feet to cushion the shock.


Little Egret (Egretta garzetta, migrant)
Shooting info - San Juan, Batangas, April 16, 2010, 7D + 400 2.8 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 560 mm, f/5.6, ISO 200, 1/2000 sec,
475B/3421 support, major crop, GPS Latitude = 13°48'04.24", GPS Longitude = 121°26'28.64".






And a pair of guys who were fighting for a choice fishing spot.

Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia, migrant)
Shooting info - San Juan, Batangas, April 16, 2010, 7D + 400 2.8 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 560 mm, f/5.6, ISO 250, 1/2000 sec, 475B/3421 support, major crop, GPS Latitude = 13°48'04.24", GPS Longitude = 121°26'28.64".

[mantarey]

Beautiful set as always from the Mastah, love the pose of the landing Little Egret.

[Bob Kaufman]

It is always exciting to look at your pictures, Mastah! I didn't realize how colorful a Cattle Egret can be in it's breeding plumage until I saw your photo of it.

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks, Rey and Bob!


When I get tired of shooting white birds in this place, there's always the noisy, resident black bird to practice manual exposure on. ;D


Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos, resident)
Habitat - open country.

Shooting info - San Juan, Batangas, April 16, 2010, 7D + 400 2.8 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 560 mm, f/4.5, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, 475B/3421 support, near 100% crop, GPS Latitude = 13°48'04.24", GPS Longitude = 121°26'28.64".

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Hehe.. no offense taken Mastah. haha!

I love to look at cattle egrets with breeding plumage.

Dang that crow looks awesome! Almost as if there was a beamer!

[gabriel buluran]

Wow! A cattle egret in formal wear! It's probably engagement day for the lucky fellow. The little egret frozen at 1/2000 is amazing!

Thanks for these Romy!

[Toto Gamboa]

Never had taken yet a pic of a cattle egret on this plumage. I saw them this way couple of weeks ago but my gears are not with me. This will be my target bird for the next few weeks. Excellent captures as always mastah.

[JV Noriega]

Wow Mastah, you really make something even out of the most common birds.. great set from San Juan!