A Barred Rail up close

This rail, found in a wide range of habitats in most Philippine islands, is actually quite shy. I managed to get very close to one by using my vehicle as a blind and staking out a watering hole beside a wetlands trail.

My waiting was rewarded when this handsome specimen appeared at sundown. I had to shoot ISO 3200 to be able to increase the shutter speed to 1/250 sec and have a chance of freezing the walking bird.

__________

Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus, resident)

Habitat: Edges of wetlands, gardens and drier cogon grasslands.

Shooting info – Candaba wetlands, Pampanga, Philippines, December 28, 2010, Canon 1D MIV + EF 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200, manual exposure in available light, bean bag.

Video of a Barred Rail at Candaba wetlands.