Monday, May 23, 2011

Purple Swamphen in golden light

This very large, chicken-sized bird (16 inches length) is becoming more uncommon in our islands, most probably because its large size makes it a prime target for hunters and poachers.

In the last few years though, a population of this unique-looking species has steadily grown in numbers within the protected area of Candaba wetlands. These birds feed on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates, both abundant in the big lush ponds of the wetlands.

I chanced upon this individual while it was in the open, basking in pre-sunset golden light, on my way out of the wetlands. Using my vehicle as a blind, I got close enough to fill the frame with my hand held 1D MII + 100-400 IS. My copy of this lens is so sharp at full zoom wide open, that a 20″x30″ print of this shot for a museum exhibit shows very decent feather detail even when viewed from 10 inches away.

__________

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio, resident)

Habitat – Uncommon in freshwater and brackish wetlands.



Shooting Info – Candaba wetlands, Pampanga, Philippines, March 11, 2008, Canon 1D MII + EF 100-400 L IS, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec, ISO 400, manual exposure in available light, hand held.


Here are some HD footage of this species, including an adult feeding a young bird, filmed at Candaba wetlands.

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