Take Fuji to explore the elves in the subtropical rain forest-

Spring has come and wild birds have entered the mating season. Due to the epidemic prevention and control, few people have been to the tropical rain forest in the southwest border of China. There are a group of elves living here, most of whom live in Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia. In China, it mainly inhabits subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest at an altitude of 400~ 1500m. At present, it can only be observed in Shiti Village and Hongbeng River, Taiping Town, Yingjiang County, western Yunnan.

Corolla wrinkled helmeted hornbill is a "peerless beauty" among hornbills. There is a flat helmet process at the base of their upper mouth, and there are several folds and protrusions on it, forming a "wrinkled helmet", hence the name. This helmet process can also help increase the decibel of the call and make the sound spread further. The bark is monotonous, hoarse and short as a dog's bark, and sometimes it can emit a low disyllabic sound.

You can hear its cry in the open area of the rainforest, and occasionally you can see its huge figure flying across the sky, but it is not easy to get a close-up view of it. Corolla-wrinkled hornbill mainly feeds on fruits from big trees and nests in big trees at least 60 meters above the ground. Therefore, if you want to shoot hornbills at close range, you must climb a cliff 60 meters high to shoot them. It is very difficult to climb unarmed in this position, especially if you carry dozens of kilograms of shooting equipment on your back.

Fortunately, I climbed the mountain with Fuji system this time. A medium-sized backpack consists of two X-T4 mechanisms, an XF 200mmf2LMOISW and an XF 70-300mmf4-5.6LRLMOISW lens. I also brought two magnifiers, XF 1.4X TC WR and XF2X TC WR, with a total weight of less than 5kg. A carbon fiber tripod, a bottle of water and even a backpack. Although the climbing process is really difficult, it is much easier to need two or three people to help carry it up the mountain compared with the equipment of tens of kilograms in the past.

Corolla wrinkled helmeted hornbills can distinguish males from females well. Adult male skin is bright yellow, while female skin is dark blue. The male bird is particularly handsome, with a chestnut forehead, which extends back to the pillow along the center of the head and then widens. The feather crown is also chestnut, and it looks like wearing a crown in the backlight. This time, the color performance of Fuji X-T4 camera fully demonstrated the charm of wrinkled helmeted hornbill.

Hornbills are called "love birds", and when they are paired, they follow monogamy. Spring is the mating season for crested hornbills. After falling in love, males and females will build nests in tall trees. Generally, they will find their own "home" last year, take out the sundries inside, and then repair the hole. Finally, the female enters the "home" to hatch eggs, and the male brings soil to seal the hole, leaving only a small hole.

This time, Fuji XF200 MMF 2LRLMOISW lens +XF 1.4X TC WR enlarger lens is equipped, with an equivalent focal length of 420 mm, which can not only clearly capture the attitude of the hornbill, but also truly record its environment. If equipped with XF 2X TC WR magnifying glass, the equivalent focal length can reach 600mm, which can clearly display hornbill feathers and bright colors. When the aperture is opened to the maximum F4 under backlight, the highlight edge of the feather is also amazing.

From the time the female bird enters the cave to breastfeed, the male bird has to take care of the family's diet outside the cave. Whether it rains or the sun is shining overhead, he is busy looking for ripe fruits to feed in the big forest. The yellow throat pouch behind its giant mouth is its shopping bag. In order to supplement nutrition for lactating females, it occasionally preys on some animals such as tree frogs and lizards to supplement protein.

Fuji X-T4 can be said to be a mirrorless camera fully competent for ecological photography, so we don't have to worry about the load when shooting outdoors with this camera. Moreover, X-T4 has become a new generation of eco-photography weapon, whether it is faster and more accurate continuous shooting focusing or built-in anti-shake function. Excellent ergonomic design, solid workmanship and sealing effect provide excellent waterproof and dustproof performance. XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR lens +XF 1.4X TC WR enlarger lens has the blessing of WR all-weather seal protection logo. In the humid environment of subtropical rain forest, I no longer have to worry about affecting my shooting work, which is exactly what every eco-photographer needs, and it is a vital tool to retain wonderful moments.