Common Moorhen

skfoo · 16-08-2005, 12:00 AM

In some countries, common moorhens can be found in parks and easy to approach. Locally, they are rather skittish. We can watch them from a distance but they will flee before we could make materials steps towards them. One morning, this fella flew out from nowhere and landed in some tall grasses less than 8 metres from where I stood.

Having encountered moorhens in the fields a few times, I knew it will hide in the grasses, lifting its head to check for the coast to be cleared before venturing into the open. If I stood where I did, it may remain hidden in the grasses for some time. If I flushed it out, it would fly away …..far far away and may even be out of sight.

I decided to try my luck. After placing my tripod (with camera and lenses) closer to it, I moved away hoping it will feel comfortable to the presence of my equipments. After a short while, I saw its red frontal shield moving. Very slowly, I made my way to my equipments. It lifted its head. Though my camera was focused on it but I did not squeeze the trigger because it may fly off and I would like to have a full body shot of it (not just its neck). I waited for it to climb above the grasses, flew and landed in the open. That’s when I fire away…my first almost frame filling shot of a Singapore Common Moorhen

. The images are nothing fantastic but the process towards it has been enriching and rewarding. Hope to share the experience with you.

1) It turned and looked at my directions.

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2) Feeding

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3) and finally it walked away

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Info on Common Moorhen can be found here:

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/bird..._chloropus.htm

Cheers!

Madcat II · 16-08-2005, 12:29 AM

cool shots SK... me like these bery much

joeyao · 16-08-2005, 12:42 AM

Thanks for sharing with us your experience shooting this bird. Hope to learn from you

starrynight · 16-08-2005, 02:37 PM

common bird but great shots!!! Thanks SK

Andrew · 16-08-2005, 04:02 PM

Great shots, I like them very much, especially the ass shot, never knew they would appear like that. Once I encounter a bunch of moorhen chicks, they were so so cute!

Thanks for your tips about stalking the bird, I hope to have the chance to use this tactic someday.

MountainMan · 16-08-2005, 07:08 PM

thanks for sharing SK...

Sree · 16-08-2005, 09:44 PM

Good catch of a shy bird

Eh SK you now competing with WK for King of the Butt shots is it?

skfoo · 16-08-2005, 11:43 PM

Thanks for the comments guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sree

Eh SK you now competing with WK for King of the Butt shots is it?

Actually, I thought the butt was cute......short of saying dedicated to.....er..someone.

eric · 17-08-2005, 10:32 AM

Great pics... I like the stalking part though... stealth.........

Fred · 18-08-2005, 08:55 PM

Wow! Lucky you, good catch!

Garion · 19-08-2005, 09:18 AM

SK,

Good catch there.

Thanks for sharing with us your technique of 'stalking' this bugger too. Very interesting and informative.

wilis128 · 19-08-2005, 10:54 PM

good catch of common moorhen..

c'mon, more hen! more hen!

show us more!

16-08-2005, 12:00 AM	#1
skfoo Eagle Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,081	Common Moorhen In some countries, common moorhens can be found in parks and easy to approach. Locally, they are rather skittish. We can watch them from a distance but they will flee before we could make materials steps towards them. One morning, this fella flew out from nowhere and landed in some tall grasses less than 8 metres from where I stood. Having encountered moorhens in the fields a few times, I knew it will hide in the grasses, lifting its head to check for the coast to be cleared before venturing into the open. If I stood where I did, it may remain hidden in the grasses for some time. If I flushed it out, it would fly away …..far far away and may even be out of sight. I decided to try my luck. After placing my tripod (with camera and lenses) closer to it, I moved away hoping it will feel comfortable to the presence of my equipments. After a short while, I saw its red frontal shield moving. Very slowly, I made my way to my equipments. It lifted its head. Though my camera was focused on it but I did not squeeze the trigger because it may fly off and I would like to have a full body shot of it (not just its neck). I waited for it to climb above the grasses, flew and landed in the open. That’s when I fire away…my first almost frame filling shot of a Singapore Common Moorhen . The images are nothing fantastic but the process towards it has been enriching and rewarding. Hope to share the experience with you. 1) It turned and looked at my directions. *Sorry, this content is visible to registered members only.* 2) Feeding *Sorry, this content is visible to registered members only.* 3) and finally it walked away *Sorry, this content is visible to registered members only.* Info on Common Moorhen can be found here: http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/bird..._chloropus.htm Cheers!

16-08-2005, 12:29 AM	#2
Madcat II Falcon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: this world is not my home Posts: 111	cool shots SK... me like these bery much __________________ Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints

16-08-2005, 12:42 AM	#3
joeyao Eagle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Upper Paya Lebar, Singapore Posts: 3,719	Thanks for sharing with us your experience shooting this bird. Hope to learn from you __________________ *Birds of Singapore* *Birds in Action*

16-08-2005, 07:08 PM	#6
MountainMan Osprey Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gone Troppo Posts: 5,167	thanks for sharing SK... __________________ In Memory of a very dear friend...

17-08-2005, 10:32 AM	#9
eric Eagle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mozzies infested area... Posts: 2,674	Great pics... I like the stalking part though... stealth......... __________________ Photography is nothing without light Excellence is achieved through PS...

16-08-2005, 02:37 PM	#4
starrynight Eagle Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,309	common bird but great shots!!! Thanks SK

16-08-2005, 04:02 PM	#5
Andrew Falcon Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 91	Great shots, I like them very much, especially the ass shot, never knew they would appear like that. Once I encounter a bunch of moorhen chicks, they were so so cute! Thanks for your tips about stalking the bird, I hope to have the chance to use this tactic someday.

16-08-2005, 09:44 PM	#7
Sree Hawk Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,455	Good catch of a shy bird Eh SK you now competing with WK for King of the Butt shots is it?

18-08-2005, 08:55 PM	#10
Fred Falcon Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 286	Wow! Lucky you, good catch! __________________ Come visit Fred & Mich's little space on the web

19-08-2005, 09:18 AM	#11
Garion Board Founder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stuck in office with sun shining & birds chirping outside Posts: 3,111	SK, Good catch there. Thanks for sharing with us your technique of 'stalking' this bugger too. Very interesting and informative. __________________ :: FAQ :: Quick Guide to posting images :: Starting Bird Photography :: Bird Guides :: PM me ::

19-08-2005, 10:54 PM	#12
wilis128 Osprey Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,185	good catch of common moorhen.. c'mon, more hen! more hen! show us more!

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