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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Photo Gallery 相片分享 II >>  Hornbills in Borneo (Borneo 婆羅洲)
        
(Message started by: Anguslau on Jun 4^th, 2004, 10:31am)

Title: Hornbills in Borneo (Borneo 婆羅洲)
Post by Anguslau on Jun 4^th, 2004, 10:31am

I went for a birding trip in Sukau, Malaysia late last month. It was wonderful and we were accompanied by a very good local guide. We saw a total of 106 species in five days.

I tried to make as many photos as I can, but trying to handhold a long lens on a rocking boat in low light proved to be extremely challenging. Image quality were at best mediocre. Most of them were taking with EF 300/2.8 with 1.4X teleconverter on a EOS 10D. Some with fill-flash and some without. I'll post some images here. Those interested to see more are welcomed to visit by on-line album: http://www.pbase.com/anguslau/sukau_malaysia

I attempted to ID the birds and label them on the album. You are most welcomed to correct me or fill-in the missing IDs.

To start with, below are some hornbills that we saw:

Black Hornbill 黑斑犀鳥 Anthracoceros malayanus
http://www.pbase.com/image/29620690.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/anguslau/anguslau030.jpg

Oriental Pied Hornbill 冠斑犀鳥 Anthracoceros albirostris
http://www.pbase.com/image/29620731.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/anguslau/anguslau031.jpg

Rhinoceros Hornbill 馬來犀鳥 Buceros rhinoceros
http://www.pbase.com/image/29620771.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/anguslau/anguslau032.jpg

Wreathed Hornbill 花冠皺盔犀鳥 Aceros undulatus
http://www.pbase.com/image/29620884.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/anguslau/anguslau033.jpg

Bushy-crested Hornbill 鳳頭犀鳥 Anorrhinus galeritus
http://www.pbase.com/image/29620661.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/anguslau/anguslau034.jpg

Title: Re: Hornbills in Borneo
Post by KK Hui on Jun 4^th, 2004, 11:22am

Welcome back, Angus!
That's where you had been ...
Have taken a tour of your web page. I particularly like the Kingfisher variety you show us. The Hornbill in the wild is also a treat. ::) ;D ::)

I note that you did NOT take your 600/4 with you ... :( Would have been very useful shooting birds though.

KK Hui ARPS
www.geocities.com/kkhui_001

Title: Re: Hornbills in Borneo
Post by Anguslau on Jun 5^th, 2004, 1:36pm

Hi KK,

Thanks for visiting my album. I only got the lens after returning from the trip. But it would be difficult for me to use even if I had it with me. I tried using a tripod and a monopod on the boat and have to give up. Because as the boat rocks, the subject will often shift outside the viewfinder. Handholding the lens, my hands will compensate for the low frequency movements of the boat, while IS on the lens will compensate for the high frequency shakes of my hands. ;D Handholding a 300/2.8 all day is probably my limit. I cannot imagine handhold anything bigger. :P

I am still trying to get used to my new lens. Tried using it a few times on the MPNR ponds, but I found that the birds are still not close enough even with the 1.4X on. Trying to track birds in flight are really not easy at all. I don't know how you manage to take those beautiful shots. :P I guess I'll need a lot more practise to start. :-[ But my backpack now weights about 21kg without flash. I felt totally exhausted at the end of each day of shoot.

Title: Re: Hornbills in Borneo
Post by KK Hui on Jun 5^th, 2004, 2:53pm

on 06/05/04 at 13:36:28, Anguslau wrote:

... I am still trying to get used to my new lens. Tried using it a few times on the MPNR ponds, but I found that the birds are still not close enough even with the 1.4X on. Trying to track birds in flight are really not easy at all. I don't know how you manage to take those beautiful shots. :P I guess I'll need a lot more practise to start. :-[ But my backpack now weights about 21kg without flash. I felt totally exhausted at the end of each day of shoot.

Angus,

What you said reflects my own experience too when I first started shooting with a super telephoto like the 600/4. As you increase the size of your lens, the bulk of accessories such as bigger heavier tripod and head comes with it as well. It tends to drag you down immensely. A day in MPNR can be both demanding and exhausting experience indeed. With practice I'm sure you will make it!

So did you get a full Wimberley Head to go with the 600?

KK Hui ARPS
www.geocities.com/kkhui_001

Title: Re: Hornbills in Borneo
Post by Anguslau on Jun 5^th, 2004, 6:44pm

Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, I did get the full Wimberley head. Which adds more weight... :P