The Asian Brown Flycatcher (ABF) is about 13-14cm in size and a winter visitor to Southern India. I have read articles indicating that this species breeds in the Himalayas, Japan and Eastern Siberia and is a winter migrant.
While we had our first sighting of this species in Thattekad, Kerala, India, we weren’t lucky enough to get any images. Our luck changed last year and we were fortunate to sight and photograph this species in Masinagudi.
Even at 300×2=600mm, you have to get within 10 feet from this bird to get decent images. Being on foot and the camera mounted on a tripod didn’t make things easy. However, our perseverance and patience paid off.
Here are a few images of the ABF from that 30 mins photo-shoot session. All images were shot using the D300, 300mm f2.8 with the 2x teleconvertor mounted on a manfrotto tripod. All images have been cropped for composition.
This image gives a true life size (14 cms) perspective of ABF. The image specs – 600mm, f5.6, 1/640s, ISO 800, 0EV.
A front left profile shot at 600mm, f8, 1/50s, ISO 200, 0EV.
A back left profile shot at 600mm, f5.6, 1/500s, ISO 800, 0EV.
A front right profile shot at 600mm, f5.6, 1/125s, ISO 200, 0EV.
This was one of the last shots in the photo-session wherein the ABF seems to be enquiring…Are we done Thomas?! Image specs – 600mm, f5.6, 1/640s, ISO 800, 0EV.