Tukang Rumah Pemalas

For the past 1 week, this Large-tail Nightjar always perches on that old metal about 10 minutes after Maghrib.
My 4th attempt to get the right shots. Problems to get accurate focus at night, to get the exposure/flash right, and to hide from the bird.
This time I pre-focused and set up a camera/tripod about 5 meters from the metal frame.
With manual metering and Phottix Cleon Wireless Remote control shutter release. I fired a few shots when the bird land
EXIF  data:
2013:01:23 19:42:36
Shutter Speed) = 1/320 second
Exposure Program = manual control (1)
ISO Speed Ratings = 1000
Aperture = ƒ/5.66
Flash = Flash fired, compulsory flash mode (-1)
Focal Length = 400/1 mm ===> 400 mm

Tukang Malas - Lazy Carpenter - Large-tailed Nightjar

Perched at the same electric cable as in February 05, and March 11, 2008 posting

Here sample sound from birdinginmalaysia.com, recorded by Khong Tuck Khoon

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)

Nightjar - "Night Carpenter"

This "Night Carpenter" usually doing their craft late at night with its characteristic 'tok-tok-tok' call. It appear at 8:00pm, perched at the electric cable the same spot that I shot previously -Feb 5th. My son used the torch light and shined to it to assist me focusing.
It didn't move, so here a few shots before it flew.
Flash light was to much.



Staring at me with the left eye shut.












Original Date/Time = 2008:03:09 20:02:47

Nightjar

For three consecutive nights, I tried to catch this bird but failed.
Tonight I was lucky. I got five shots of this 'burung tukang' before it flew away.
Perched on the wire cable very near my car porch. Very loud 'chonk, chonk, chonk' sound.
The problem is not easy and so difficult to focus in the dark.

Original Date/Time = 2008:02:05 02:30:30
Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)
Local name Tukang Malas
Size (cm) 30
Habitat Open country




Reference here.

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 4 seconds
# Aperture/F-Stop = F8
# Exposure Program = aperture priority (3)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 1600
# Original Date/Time = 2008:02:05 02:31:11
# Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/3 = 0
# Metering Mode = pattern / multi-segment (5)
# Flash = Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 400/1 mm = 400 mm