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What are you looking at?


What are you looking at?
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1976 W: 259 N: 4103] (11585)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Digital ISO 100, Hoya UV-Guard (77mm)
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Southern Africa, 5 favs. and up - PART 2, Gruiformes (Turnalar, Crane-like) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-06-13 16:58
Viewed: 2478
Favorites: 6 [view]
Points: 80
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Grey Crowned Crane
Balearica regulorum

Subspecies:
B. reg. gibbericeps (East African) & B. reg. regulorum (South African)

Also known as: Eng: Southern Crowned-Crane, Crowned-Crane, Blue-necked Crane, Royal Crane, East African Crowned Crane, Fre: Grue royale, Grue grise à couronne, Ger: Südafrikanischer Kronenkranich, Spa: Grulla Coronada Cuelligris, Swe: Sydlig krontrana, Ned: Grijze Kroonkraan, Ita: Gru Coronata grigia.

“balearica” is derived from Latin, meaning of the Balearic Islands. Pliny referred to grues Balearicae (Balearic cranes) with tufted heads, possibly having seen Crowned Cranes about whose origins he was misinformed. ”regulorum” is Latin meaning “of petty kings or princes”

The claim to fame of the Grey-Crowned Crane is that it is one of the only cranes to roost in trees and the most primitive crane. It is thought to resemble the many pre-Pliocene fossils from North America and central Asia. The first crane-like birds, which appeared in the age of dinosaurs, were somewhat similar in body dimensions to a modern crowned crane or its smaller and more aquatic relative, the limpkin.

The Grey-Crowned Crane is globally restricted to Africa where the South African population make up the smaller population of the two subspecies. Within SA, this ancient crane has been sighted in the moist, higher rainfall regions of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the North-eastern Free State, as well as the Eastern regions of Mpumalanga. They require a mixture of wetlands and grasslands for summer breeding and foraging although they are increasingly found in agricultural lands. The overriding conservation challenge is therefore to develop sustainable management alternatives for their co-existence with agriculture on privately-owned land. This species faces widespread degradation of its breeding and feeding habitats and is still persecuted by landowners in some areas – who think that the bird is eating crops whereas they are more likely to be eating insects on those crops. Over the past two decades, Grey-Crowned Crane numbers have declined by about 15% due to increased human-induced impacts.

In the words of Aldo Leopold (1949): "Some day, perhaps in the very process of our benefactions, perhaps in the fullness of geologic time, the last crane will trumpet his farewell and spiral skyward from the great marsh…"

The South African Crane Working Group (SACWG) is a working group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation. (KZN CF) The International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin is the doyen of crane conservation and oversees projects for all 15 crane species world-wide.

All groups are partners in the conservation of a beautiful, ancient species from which the human race has much to learn.

The three crane species of South Africa are the Wattled Crane, Blue Crane and Grey-Crowned Crane.
red45, chiliu, liquidsunshine, Fisher, Paulosousa, Janice, scottevers7, puffy, TAZ, kdien, dew77, PDP, deud, coasties, sAner, Runnerduck, Comandante, carper, Signal-Womb, naki, marhowie, Luc, extramundi, Active, gelor, lovenature, shal has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To bikram: Named...gerhardt 1 06-28 01:33
The story behind the pose...gerhardt 1 06-13 17:02
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Critiques [Translate]

An absolute cracker Gerhard,
Brilliant capture, excellent detail, colour and sharpness. Wonderful moment captured, thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-06-13 21:04]

"Are you in there??" What a character Gerhard. So inquisitive. I had never seen these birds before TN, and I think they are so special and quaint.
Excellent composition, superb pose. Bravo capture. Thank you...

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-06-13 21:42]

Fantastique prise Gerhard ! La prise de vue est très originale.

Félicitations pour la lumière et les belles couleurs.

A superb composition Gerhard. That pose with the framing is perfect. The color and detail are perfect, as is the OOF backround. Great Job!

  • Great 
  • puffy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 291 W: 0 N: 339] (1351)
  • [2005-06-14 0:05]

LOL, what a cute and funny shot Gerhard, I like it, how did you get this composition? It is great, nicely captured, details and colours. Well done my friend, thanks for sharing

  • Great 
  • CTP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 647 W: 6 N: 1106] (3191)
  • [2005-06-14 0:49]

Hi Gerhard,
You have a very funny crane photo here.I like how you captured it so sharp and focused.Nice POV&DOF.Nice frame work.TFS
CT

  • Great 
  • kdien (0)
  • [2005-06-14 1:34]

Excellent shot, bravo, cool

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6160] (21052)
  • [2005-06-14 2:08]

That is a hilarious picture, Gerhard. Too funny! Amazing details, beautiful colors... and certainly a most interesting POV. Great shot. TFS. ; )

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2005-06-14 2:27]

Hello Gerhard,
A fantastic capture.
Excellent composition and POV,superb colours and great DOF.
TFS this beauty!

Wow!Superb pose!
Extremely sharp,beautiful colours.GREAT SHOT!
TFS!

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-06-14 3:30]

Hello Gerhard!
Very nice capture and funny pose.Expression on face,colors,BG and details are perfect.I liked composition very much.TFS...:-)

This is FUNNY !!! Wat 'n uitdrukking op sy gesig. so asof hy hou terg !!

Love the blue eyes !! sharp details, perfect exposure and perfect pose :D

Groete van sproete
Elize

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2005-06-14 3:32]

wow lovely hairdo!!Nice compostion and very sharp details.11/10.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-06-14 4:01]

Bel oiseau bien mis en valeur dans cette composition photographique originale. Jolies couleurs, pose amusante et bonne netteté.
Beautiful and funny portrait !!! Congratulations ! TFS.

Hi Gerhard!
This is really AMAZING shot!
Just... unimaginable!!!

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-06-14 5:19]

Hi Gerhard, Interesting shot, the bird looks like it is checking out the inner workings of your camera. Nice colours and details, very nice work.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2005-06-14 5:41]

incredible! very strong and amazing picture! the technical parameters are excellent. congratulations

A very comical shot Gerhard. The POV is outstanding. Good colours and the light is spot on. Good work again.... thanks!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-06-14 6:08]

I think we all remember well Japie's picture 'Party Animal' with laughing zebra. It was amazing, funny and superbly captured in just right moment. Your Crane is from same league Gerhard. This is absolutelly unique, superb photo. Sure winner!

PT

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-06-14 6:47]

Fantastic capture Gerhard!! What a face, what a character! :) The look in it's eyes is fantastic. Superb colors, great POV and very sharp details. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Superb Gerhard. What an amazing looking bird, those eye's are incredible.
Excellent pose and pov. A very sharp image.
Thanks for posting.

Hello Gerhard!
Very nice shot.This is one of my favourite bird.Colors,framing and composition are excellent.Thanks for sharing.

het is eeen hele aparte foto geworden Gerhard,
De snavel recht naar voren zodat hij wegvalt in the pov, mooie details en uitstekend werk,
gr. Jaap

I just love it Gerhard, you caught the moment here. This reminds my of Japie's shot of the Zebra which was a classic. Very well done and excellent note.

Regards Steve.

another exellent shot:) really I admire every deatal here:) great and amaizing:)

TFS

Malgosia

  • Great 
  • naki Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 382 W: 27 N: 5] (40)
  • [2005-06-14 15:41]

What a funny pose you've captured Gerhard. I like the way she looks to the objective. Very good Dof and composition. Also great details and colours.
Very well done.

Great post, very funny pose.
Very Well done.
TFS.

Hello Gerhard, This is great my friend! Stunning shot, technically perfect. This has great impact and gives new meaning to the term "Bird Brain"!! ;-) Very well done!

You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's who. LOL
Excellent shot, a bird doing the Human glamour style pose. Hey, strike that pose birdy and watch the birdy. :) :)
Tack sharp, crisp and clean. Super work Gerhard.
Well done on this composition.

Mike
A couple of Ran tomorrow :) :)

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-06-15 15:14]

;-)
Hello again Gerhard.
Personal assessment of the photo: A perfect "putting a smile on our faces" effect.
Very strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you very much for sharing.

One of the finest shots I've ever seen. I've seen all the names that u've mentioned of this crane, but is it also called a Cape crowned crane? Cheers

The overall quality is superb, but the POV for this subject cant be better. Put it in your winner albun, that must be already be full by now ;)

  • Great 
  • Toni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
  • [2005-07-04 17:35]

Excellent portrait. Love the look in his eyes and punk hair do. Great sharpness and beautiful red.
Well done.
Regards Toni

Jy is seker baie bly dat jy daai 100-400 IS lens gekoop het. Jy kry wonderlike goed daarmee reg!

Great foto, defnitief iets anders. Goeie exposure, want dis baie maklik om daai wit wange heeltemal te over-expose.

  • Great 
  • Active Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 113 W: 6 N: 19] (1231)
  • [2005-12-16 13:58]

I don`t know what should I write here....it`s georgeous!!! again I will say-> you're a real master:)
I like colors, frame, POV ...everything :)
regards
TFS:-)))
Barbara

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-01-28 7:30]

The most funny pic ever seen !
Great composition Gerhard :-)

Greetings from Canada,
Christian

Hi Gerhard,
I saw this funny shot - wow, I love it so much.
You put a big smile on my face with this lovely bird, thanks and bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hello Gerhard,
A comical photo of this unique and beautiful Crane. Nice close-up and detail. I love how he is looking directly into the camera with those piercing eyes. The background is not distracting and allows the Crane to be the centre of attraction. TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • shal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 259 W: 65 N: 476] (2124)
  • [2006-07-24 11:57]

Hi Gerhard,
brilliant detail and POV,
excellently timed shot,
Thanks for the informative note :)
well done :)
Cheers TFS,
Vishal Sabharwal

great photo

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