White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Romy Ocon's Philippine Wild Birds
Saturday, February 9, 2008
White-throated Kingfisher
Like most kingfishers, the
Halcyon smyrnensis
is a rather shy bird. This particular species, a resident in our islands with a total length of about 265 mm, is quite common in clearings, along streams and rivers, and in open country in the lowlands. It's not very difficult to find, but getting close to it for a frame-filling shot is an altogether different matter.
I was travelling down the the scenic highway that snakes through the Morong mountains when I noticed this fellow perched motionlessly in the dim understory. Using my vehicle as a blind, I was able to get within full-framing distance, but the low light forced me to use a very slow shutter speed and high ISO.
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