Very active in the forest canopy or middle story and sporting a contrasting plumage that complicates exposure work, this smallish bird (6-1/4″ total length) is not easy to photograph well in its habitat.
I just got extremely fortunate that this individual perched for several seconds on a well-lit branch at Subic rainforest, allowing me to squeeze off a few frames at low ISO and fairly fast, motion-stopping shutter speed.
This photo was published at page 189 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World – Volume 13. The publisher, Lynx Edicions, sent me a complimentary copy of the impressive tome, but it got destroyed when we were submerged in typhoon Ondoy’s flood in 2009. At a retail price of $ 314 per copy, I think I wouldn’t be able to afford a replacement book for now.
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Stripe-headed Rhabdornis (Rhabdornis mystacalis, a Philippine endemic)
Habitat – Canopy or middle story of lowland forest, edge and second growth.
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Shooting Info – Subic rainforest, Zambales, Philippines, February 23, 2006, Canon 20D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG), 800 mm, f/9, ISO 200, 1/320 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/3421 support. |
3 comments:
This is a beautiful bird.
The local college here (University of Central Oklahoma, or UCO) had Handbook of Birds of the World. I should have looked them up!
Is it okay if I draw it? I won't trace your image, that wouldn't seem fair. Can I use the same pose?
Thanks for the comments, Michelle. Yes, you me draw it as you requested,
Regards,
Romy
Thank you very much. :)
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