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Family Landing


Family Landing
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/1250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Gruiformes (Turnalar, Crane-like), Wildlife of Japan [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-09 4:19
Viewed: 1241
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this shot on my recent visit to Japan. This family were just flying in to the wintering site - the adults are centre and left, the young on the right - brownish head.

I have cropped aou a lot of foreground. I was using my 300mm 2.8 + 1.4x converter.

The Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis), also called the Japanese Crane or Manchurian Crane, is a large crane and is the second rarest crane in the world. In East Asia, it is known as a symbol of luck and fidelity. At 140 cm (55 inches) high, the crane does not make easy prey, for all that it stands out in its natural habitat of marshes and swamps. When it matures, the Red-crowned Crane is snow white with a patch of red skin on its head. This patch of skin becomes bright red when the crane becomes angry or excited. The heaviest crane on record is a male Red-crowned Crane weighing 15 kg (33 lbs.), although large Sarus Cranes are taller.
In Japan, this crane, known as tancho, is said to live 1000 years. A pair of Red-crowned Cranes were used in the design for the D series of the 1000 yen note. In the Ainu language, the Red-crowned Crane is known as sarurun kamui or marsh kamui.

In China, the Red-crowned Crane is often featured in myths and legends. In Taoism, the Red-crowned Crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. In art and literature, immortals are often depicted riding on cranes. A mortal who attains immortality is similarly carried off by a crane. Reflecting this association, Red-crowned Cranes are called xian he, or fairy crane. The Red-crowned Crane is also a symbol of nobility. Depictions of the crane have been found in Shang Dynasty tombs and Zhou Dynasty ceremonial bronzeware. A common theme in later Chinese art is the reclused scholar who cultivates bamboo and keeps cranes.

A numer of people have said that they did not know this crane - however, if you have seen any Japanese of Chinese art with cranes - they are these.
uleko, nglen, Frieda, CeltickRanger, eqshannon, rousettus, jcoowanitwong, angybone, jaycee, dejo, earthtraveler, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3001 W: 162 N: 989] (2897)
  • [2008-02-09 5:02]

Hello James,
It's hard to keep up with all your fabulous captures! I love the Cranes coming in to land here and spreading their beautiful wings that stand out against the forest in the background. Lovely colours and they really look great against the snow.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-02-09 5:08]

Wow what a cool pose from that one in the middle!
It's like it's dancing! :-)
Excellent shot of this interesting scene.
Well composed and a good POV.
I especially like the mini Sparrows speckled in the FG.
Well done James :-D

Joe

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2008-02-09 5:51]

Hi James,

Another fine capture from this cranebirds,well exposed and composed,I like it a lot,looking quite different as our cranbirds visitig summer,tfs

Paul

Un fabuloso encuadre en el que has incluido a todas las aves con muy buenos detalles.
Gran trabajo James.
Un cordial saludo, JL.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658] (32266)
  • [2008-02-09 9:18]

Hi James. Once again a very good shot of the Crane. very good detail and colours . I like the one in the middle it looks as if its dancing . well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 0 N: 172] (2411)
  • [2008-02-09 10:44]

Nice composition and wonderful picture. Sense of moving is great

hello James

superb shot, in your image i love the way each Crane
has his wings open, specially the one of the center
and that funny dance his doing with his legs, TFS

Asbed

Much action in this one James...Lots of different poses all in one....something particularly pleasing about the way some stand out well against the snow, then others against the forest in back. My sons in-laws are from this area...I haev seen a number of images which my sons took...It will be fun showing him yours..Very nice.
Bob

merhaba James,
nice to see fallowing perfect captures of your cranes. Again first class capture. Everything, from white balance and sharp details to composition, POV and timing perfect. I like very much. They looks like playing in musical in teatre. especially one in centre very similar orchestra chief:)
many thanks for showing us again.
best wishes and have a nice weekend
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-02-09 23:24]

James, This is really a lovely landscape shot. I like the angle and the view. Superb one.Ganesh

Hi James,
A nice capture of this family of red crowned crane. Excellent composition and well times shot. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello James,
A lively scene. Nice seeing many of them enjoy the sunlight in this open space. Sharp focus and well exposed image. I like the pov and composition.
JC

Grea variety of shapes and poses. I love the crowd here...you show us the different angles and motions of this amazingly beautiful bird. :)

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-02-10 8:15]

Hi James,

This family of Cranes is wonderful! You caught a great moment with the three just landing. I love seeing them in all these positions. Wonderful colors and sharp details. You have seen so many awesome sights!

Jane

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 51 N: 519] (2238)
  • [2008-02-10 12:56]

Hi James,
Fantastic scene! All of them are captured beautiflly!
Great timing and perfect sharpness and light,
regards,
Dejan

Hi James, This brings some delight to the end of this day.
It's wonderful to see these large birds feeding along side the small sparrow like birds. It reminds me of the scripture Mathew 6:26. The Cranes are beautiful and more so with their wings spread. Nice shot, thank you.
Richard

Hello James,
An amazing capture of the moment!
In particular the bird near the middle about to land is impressive...
Fine details in this action filled frame!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-02-11 1:20]

Hi James,
I liked the scene you captured a lot. Composition, details, colors and exposure control are very good. TFS
Have a nice week,
Selen

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-02-11 8:55]

Hello James, great shot of these beautiful birds landing. Well composed, great quality, well done, thanks!

Mario

Hi James,
Wonderful to see that many different poses of the great bird in one photo. It must have been a great spectacle to see so many arrive at the wintergrounds. It is hard for me to imagine how big these birds are, but the with the group of sparrows in the front I do get a good idea.
TFS,
Niek

Hi James,

I like this photo with this species (the Red-crowned Crane), a special species. Great compositions. Bravo.

All best regards, Cezar T.

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