© Gunther Deichmann Cliffhangers...check the yellow circle

Tech info: Please keep in mind that all the images are in very low resolution and only for this Blog . They have also a full Watermark Copyright on them created in Aperture 2. The images came from my slide collection, scanned and imported into Aperture 2, some of them had to be restored since they had deteriorated some what. Now that is done I can easy find them again on my external drive since I referenced them with Aperture 2.1.1 and of course the Black and White Monochrome Mixer came in very handy also for the more personal images in the Tagbanua Village.
For more images please click this LINK or the Images, you might have to refresh your Browser to see the NEW Images.

© Gunther Deichmann - Cliffhangers

If there would be a Olympic competition in barefoot rock climbing, scaling the razor sharp limestone cliffs in Palawan then the Tagbanuas would break the world record.
These fearless natives of Palawan in the Philippines climbing these towering cliffs with such an ease they deserve a Gold medal, collecting “The White Gold” the bids nests every year.
I almost broke my neck getting this shot with the local swiftlet sitting on the nest, climbing high and crawling into a small cave to view these Birds actually on the nest.
I used strong footwear and ropes, but my barefooted local guides shot straight past me and waited at the entrance of this small cave.
For me it was an honor to go with the Tagbanuas, it is impossible to climb with them to these hidden caves, normally they never reveal the location of the birds nests.

© Gunther Deichmann - a very rare image
with the swiftlet on the nest

Scaling these limestone cliffs is a common job among the native Tagbanuas of Northern Palawan. They collect this nest and sell it to a middlemen who would, in turn, trade it to Chinese restaurants or other Traders in Manila
The nests are composed of interwoven strands of salivary laminae cement. The nests have high levels of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Hong Kong and the United States are the largest importers of these nests.In Hong Kong a bowl of Bird Nest Soup would cost US$30 to $100 . A kilogram of white nest 9hence the name “White Gold) can cost up to $2,000

Authentic bird's nest soup is made using the nests of the swiftlet, a tiny bird found throughout southeast Asia.
The edible bird's nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans.
I have tried this soup and must say it taste like nothing special it is very blunt and I am not sure on the reputation of being an aphrodisiac, they say that about so many other things too.
The problem is the livelihood for the Tagbanuas if the practice and collecting these Bird Nests stopped since there is very little else besides fishing for these amazing agile people.

Unfortunately, harvesters will take a nest once it is large enough, whether or not eggs or chicks are present. Most caves have one season for harvest but thieves steal nests throughout the year. In recent years the swiftlet population has dropped, putting swiftlets on the protected species list.

© Gunther Deichmann - Tagbanua family life...
for more images click this LINK or the image

During the Harvest Season some the Tagbanuas move the whole family from the main Village to the Bird Nest area, from this makeshift camp they guard the Bird nesting area.24 hours a day from thieves. At the end of the season they move back to their Village within the Coron Bay area.
GD

Tags: Monochrome Mixer, Nido, Swiftlet, Birds, Nature, Chinese , White Gold, Bird Nest Soup, Bird Nest Collecting

Courtesy Photo © Vincent Leterrier -
(see his comments above)

I did ask Vincent Leterrier if we can use the image on our Blog, read his reply below send via the .Mac Web Gallery in Aperture 2…I think I found another fan for the .Mac Web Gallery, it is certainly one of my favorites. Note: Vincent using a 15 inch Mac Book Pro and switched recently from Aperture 1.5 to Aperture 2

Hi Gunther,
Tks for your kind comment on my photos, first time I received a recognition like that from a photographer (I know my family and friends love my pictures, but....;-)
Of course, you can use it on your blog, I'm even honored ! (it sounds so formal, but it's not my intention, just take it in the simplest way !)
Here are the photo, I've add another one that I like too. The girl at the back have a pure model face, and I like the East-Ouest multicultural dimension...
Unfortunately, at this time we did not meet yet, so I was shooting in Jpeg only !!! There is a lack of crisp, but this time is over now... ;-)
BUT, the new Aperture 2.1 functionalities like Recovery and Black point are also working well for Jpegs. So fantastic. And the tool Dodge and Burn also!
Vincent Leterrier
http://gallery.mac.com/vincent.leterrier#100059
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Thank you Gunther, Hermes and to all the Mac staff – an outstanding job!
Kristina, Rose and I had a fun and informative day. Even an old dinosaur with embarrassingly limited computer skills like myself, found the presentation surprisingly "comfortable", not to mention inspiring! You've won three more converts - at PC's expense! Look forward to more of your workshops - perhaps something on restoration techniques of old negative and slide film?
Well worth the round trip from far away Subic!
Cheers,
Kevin Hamdorf, Photographer
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Hi Gunther!
Thank you for featuring some of my shots. It means a lot to me and I am deeply touched. :-)
Hope to shoot with you soon! hehehe
Regards,
Sheila Go

© Shiela Go - using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2.1

Tags: Dodge and Burn, Switching from PC to Mac, Monochrome Mixer, Aperture 2.1