Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue

robimahanta · 14th October 2010, 01:29

Going through the beautiful travelogues in t-bhp I just felt maybe I should put up one as well. Well I just went down to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini over the last two weekends mainly for capturing wildlife. So lets start..

First up is Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Started from Bangalore at around 7am (plan was to start at 5am..but got delayed due to a number of reasons. I was a little pissed as I knew I will lose the awesome morning light by the time I reach RBS). Anyway I reached there at around 930am(the route is pretty striaght forward: BLR-Mandya-Srirangapattnam), hired a boat for an hour and started the tour. I was really amazed to see the sheer number of birds at such a small place. Its definitely a bird watchers paradise (the crocs,bats etc are an added bonus). Since I have titled this as a Photologue (don't know if it makes any sense..but I guess you get the idea) I'll start with some pictures. One more thing, I am no wildlife photographer/naturalist but just a hobbyist with a love for nature and photography (and of course driving).
So if you ask me whats a "Mycteria leucocephala", I am not the right person to tell you that but if you show me its picture I may identify it as the painted stork.

I want to be the one in focus..

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8106.jpg

Its my turn now..

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8110.jpg

How about a close up?

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8121.jpg

Let me try to spread my wings..

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8156.jpg

How about this pose?

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8283.jpg

Darn! the other guy is trying to copy my pose
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Trying to fly!

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8062.jpg

kraft.wagen · 14th October 2010, 01:52

amazing pics robin. The closeup is great with some nice light. keep them coming

ampere · 14th October 2010, 06:56

So you finally came down! Did your Ooty plan work out?
Great snaps!

robimahanta · 14th October 2010, 08:36

Thanks a lot guys!
@ Ampere: Yes I did go to Ooty (via Conoor and return via Kotagiri) but the weather was horrible. I couldn't use the camera much..Actually I am settled down south for alteast the next 2 years hence hoping to cover a lot of places with the help of you guys.

Anyway continuing with the RBS pictures..

The Asian Openbill..reflection

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8096.jpg

Basking in the sun..

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8133.jpg

Quenching my thirst

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8305.jpg

Side profile

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8257.jpg

Contrast...the River Tern

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8196.jpg

Camouflage..Great Stone-curlew or Great Thick-knee

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8160.jpg

SPARKled · 14th October 2010, 08:39

Nice bird pics especially of the painted stork. What camera equipment do you use?

PatienceWins · 14th October 2010, 09:43

Great pictures!!

Which camera do you use?

fazalaliadil · 14th October 2010, 09:54

Robimahanta,

Nice capture at the bird sanctuary. Awaiting the pics from Kabini.
Which is the lens is use here?

Regards,

robimahanta · 14th October 2010, 10:13

Thanks a lot people. I was using a Canon 500D with the Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG HSM lens. In good light the lens performs nicely and has a good reach but in poor light its a tad slow considering its f6.3 at 500mm(sorry for the tech jagrons..non photographers can just skip this post) But I believe its the most "value for money" telephoto zoom available.

To be continued...

devrajman · 14th October 2010, 11:33

I really loved some of your photographs! They are really crisp.

Awaiting for more pics...

I just picked up canon 450d and couple of lens. Every good snap I see is my inspiration to click better than it....

robimahanta · 14th October 2010, 21:56

Continuing with the bird safari..hope I am not boring you all with just birding shots. I did see some mammals in Kabini which I will upload soon.

Anyway,some cormorant pictures to begin with..

The take-off

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8340.jpg

Catch me if you can

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8055c.jpg

The landing

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8322.jpg

Lets take a single..

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8185.jpg

The balancing act of the Night heron

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8269.jpg

The intermediate Egret looking over its nest..

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8277.jpg

The pied kingfisher

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8243.jpg

The next generation

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8077.jpg

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue-img_8223.jpg

ExtremeTorque · 14th October 2010, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by robimahanta

using a Canon 500D with the Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG HSM lens

Flash gear there. I looked up the lens on google and it looked like a bazooka to me

. The photos you churned out are excellent and beyond compare, looked like straight out of a WL magazine. You, with your gear should visit the Kolleru Lake in AP. How far were the painted storks when you took the photos?

fazalaliadil · 14th October 2010, 22:24

Your cormorant shots are very well framed, also try panning for future shots.
If you don't mind.. the shutter speed should have been set higher in advance for this fast moving subject where the wings and water droplets could be frozen.
Regards,

robimahanta · 14th October 2010, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExtremeTorque

Flash gear there. I looked up the lens on google and it looked like a bazooka to me

. The photos you churned out are excellent and beyond compare, looked like straight out of a WL magazine. You, with your gear should visit the Kolleru Lake in AP. How far were the painted storks when you took the photos?

Thanks..Extreme, I went through your pics as well and you have managed to get some good pics with the gear you have. In your case the birds were too far away. But in RBS the birds are pretty close by expecially if you are on a boat. The night heron was hardly 20 feet away from me. Maybe I'll visit Kolleru Lake,AP sometime. Care to join me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

Your cormorant shots are very well framed, also try panning for future shots.
If you don't mind.. the shutter speed should have been set higher in advance for this fast moving subject where the wings and water droplets could be frozen.
Regards,

I know Fazal but for the landing shotsexif was like 1/640@ F6.3..anything faster would underexpose the image.(could have bumped up the ISO but on a black bird, there is usually some ugly noise show up) Actually I did underexpose it and opened it up slightly in PS.

Saw this bird while I was just about to leave the park..not sure if its the Slaty-backed Flycatcher
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Name: IMG_8314.JPG
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ExtremeTorque · 14th October 2010, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Maybe I'll visit Kolleru Lake,AP sometime. Care to join me?

Oh sure, why not? I can surely learn a trick or 2 from you and for trips like these, the more the merrier! Further, we just couldnt get enough of this place, despite the humidity. Another trip will probably satiate the hunger! Let me know your plans via a PM and we will hook up.

jacs · 15th October 2010, 11:24

Robi, I got to know about this travelogue from the No-Auto image thread. Superb photos, especially the little birdy is really funny!

I had a similiar trip with my Fuji prosumer cam clicking here and there. Now I know what a DSLR can really do, now I have my first DSLR with me

BTW your 500mm reach is real boon, most of the shots are on 500mm end or less? Just wanted to know if a 300mm can take me near!

14th October 2010, 01:29	#1
robimahanta Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BLR/GAU Posts: 833 Thanked: 6,493 Times	Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini : Photologue Going through the beautiful travelogues in t-bhp I just felt maybe I should put up one as well. Well I just went down to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Kabini over the last two weekends mainly for capturing wildlife. So lets start.. First up is Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Started from Bangalore at around 7am (plan was to start at 5am..but got delayed due to a number of reasons. I was a little pissed as I knew I will lose the awesome morning light by the time I reach RBS). Anyway I reached there at around 930am(the route is pretty striaght forward: BLR-Mandya-Srirangapattnam), hired a boat for an hour and started the tour. I was really amazed to see the sheer number of birds at such a small place. Its definitely a bird watchers paradise (the crocs,bats etc are an added bonus). Since I have titled this as a Photologue (don't know if it makes any sense..but I guess you get the idea) I'll start with some pictures. One more thing, I am no wildlife photographer/naturalist but just a hobbyist with a love for nature and photography (and of course driving). So if you ask me whats a "Mycteria leucocephala", I am not the right person to tell you that but if you show me its picture I may identify it as the painted stork. I want to be the one in focus.. Its my turn now.. How about a close up? Let me try to spread my wings.. How about this pose? Darn! the other guy is trying to copy my pose Trying to fly! Last edited by robimahanta : 14th October 2010 at 01:30.
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 01:52	#2
kraft.wagen BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cbe <- >Ams Posts: 978 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	amazing pics robin. The closeup is great with some nice light. keep them coming
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 06:56	#3
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,945 Thanked: 12,928 Times View My Garage	So you finally came down! Did your Ooty plan work out? Great snaps!
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 08:36	#4
robimahanta Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BLR/GAU Posts: 833 Thanked: 6,493 Times	Thanks a lot guys! @ Ampere: Yes I did go to Ooty (via Conoor and return via Kotagiri) but the weather was horrible. I couldn't use the camera much..Actually I am settled down south for alteast the next 2 years hence hoping to cover a lot of places with the help of you guys. Anyway continuing with the RBS pictures.. The Asian Openbill..reflection Basking in the sun.. Quenching my thirst Side profile Contrast...the River Tern Camouflage..Great Stone-curlew or Great Thick-knee
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 08:39	#5
SPARKled Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,110 Thanked: 656 Times	Nice bird pics especially of the painted stork. What camera equipment do you use?
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 09:43	#6
PatienceWins Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,416 Thanked: 807 Times View My Garage	Great pictures!! Which camera do you use?
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 09:54	#7
fazalaliadil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,022 Thanked: 672 Times View My Garage	Robimahanta, Nice capture at the bird sanctuary. Awaiting the pics from Kabini. Which is the lens is use here? Regards,
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 10:13	#8
robimahanta Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BLR/GAU Posts: 833 Thanked: 6,493 Times	Thanks a lot people. I was using a Canon 500D with the Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG HSM lens. In good light the lens performs nicely and has a good reach but in poor light its a tad slow considering its f6.3 at 500mm(sorry for the tech jagrons..non photographers can just skip this post) But I believe its the most "value for money" telephoto zoom available. To be continued...
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 11:33	#9
devrajman BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 505 Thanked: 118 Times View My Garage	I really loved some of your photographs! They are really crisp. Awaiting for more pics... I just picked up canon 450d and couple of lens. Every good snap I see is my inspiration to click better than it....
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 21:56	#10
robimahanta Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BLR/GAU Posts: 833 Thanked: 6,493 Times	Continuing with the bird safari..hope I am not boring you all with just birding shots. I did see some mammals in Kabini which I will upload soon. Anyway,some cormorant pictures to begin with.. The take-off Catch me if you can The landing Lets take a single.. The balancing act of the Night heron The intermediate Egret looking over its nest.. The pied kingfisher The next generation
	() Thanks

14th October 2010, 22:24	#12
fazalaliadil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,022 Thanked: 672 Times View My Garage	Your cormorant shots are very well framed, also try panning for future shots. If you don't mind.. the shutter speed should have been set higher in advance for this fast moving subject where the wings and water droplets could be frozen. Regards,
	() Thanks

15th October 2010, 11:24	#15
jacs Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 1,499 Thanked: 1,047 Times View My Garage	Robi, I got to know about this travelogue from the No-Auto image thread. Superb photos, especially the little birdy is really funny! I had a similiar trip with my Fuji prosumer cam clicking here and there. Now I know what a DSLR can really do, now I have my first DSLR with me BTW your 500mm reach is real boon, most of the shots are on 500mm end or less? Just wanted to know if a 300mm can take me near!
	() Thanks