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The Joy of Life - for Evelynn


The Joy of Life - for Evelynn
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1303 W: 0 N: 5097] (15194)
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/8, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dedications at treknature: Part Five, Wildlife of Japan, Gruiformes (Turnalar, Crane-like) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-18 3:36
Viewed: 490
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I am dedicating this posting to Evelynn, who as some of you may know has been unwell. The sight of these Tanchos or Japanese Cranes displaying, last January was an amazing sight, as they strutted posed, jumped and performed acrobatics in the air . . . . and their haunting calls gave you a spine-tingling 'good-to-be-alive' feeling.

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. This species is the heaviest crane, typically 7.7-10 kg (17-22 lb), although large Sarus Cranes are taller. The maximum weight a male Red-crowned Crane is known to attain would be 15 kg (33 lbs.)

In the spring and summer, the Red-crowned Crane breeds in Siberia and occasionally in northeastern Mongolia (i.e., Mongol Daguur Strictly Protected Area). Normally the crane lays 2 eggs, with only one surviving. Later, in the fall, it migrates in flocks to Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and other countries in East Asia to spend the winter. All Red-crowned Cranes migrate, except for a flock that is resident in Hokkaidō.

The crane eats small amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, insects, and plants that grow in marshes and swamps.

The habitat used is marshes, riverbanks, rice fields, and other wet areas.

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 reclusive scholar who cultivates bamboo and keeps cranes.

Because of its importance in Chinese culture, the Red-crowned Crane was selected by the National Forestry Bureau of the People's Republic of China as its only candidate for the national animal of China. But this decision was deterred because the Red-crowned Crane's Latin name show that is "Japanese Crane".

I have not been able to post much recently as I have been very busy with work.
zulfu, robindb, PaulH, lovenature, nglen, papon, jaycee, gracious, cicindela, xTauruSx, CeltickRanger, boreocypriensis, crs, soccer, uleko, Argus, Gert-Paassen, rousettus, rcrick has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello james ,
i do have any idea about evelynn but i hope & pery that she get well soon. this is a fine dedication, i liked the timing to capture this beautiful pose, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi James,
Beautiful photograph, it must have been great to watch them dance. I remember seeing a photo by Mr. Steve Kaufman of them dancing with snow as BG, the white on white and the black combination was amazing. TFS
Anil

Hello James,
Good dedication to Evelynn. I didn't know until now. I hope she'll be better soon.
Just like you I wasn't able to post and critique a lot lately.
TFS
Annick

Hi James,

Lovely image of these cranes. I do not know if they are dancing or trying to get warm with all the snow. Jokes aside, the exposure has been well handled to give as much detail in the blacks & whites. These are birds that we will never see here so TFS.

Robin

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1067 W: 26 N: 3196] (11461)
  • [2008-09-18 4:16]

Hi James,
i didn;t know Evelynn was ill either, i do hope she's better asap - very nice of you to dedicate this to her. Excellent timing and a great job on tricky exposure no doubt, well done.
Paul

Hello James,
Very beautiful photo and dedication to Evelynn. Great poses and lovely colours from a good low POV. I hope you got a photo of the dancing cranes.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 598 W: 0 N: 117] (669)
  • [2008-09-18 6:22]

Hello James,
wonderful capture of these cranes in a lovely posture. TFS.
G's,
Mehmet

How Beautiful James, I hope Evelynn gets a chance to view these artistic looking Cranes. It must have been an inspirational moment to watch these two doing their ballet movements in the snow. Gorgeous!
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5959] (22526)
  • [2008-09-18 9:06]

Hi James . A nice dedication to Evelynn, Lets hope she felling better soon. A pair of beautiful birs showing off on the ice.They must make for an amazing sight.TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • papon (24)
  • [2008-09-18 9:27]

Hi James!!
Beautiful capture.Sharp and good detail.
Thanks for the elaborate note also.

All the best,
Sunandan.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1909 W: 8 N: 4974] (16081)
  • [2008-09-18 10:20]

Hi James,

This is something not many of us will ever get to see. It must have been quite a sight. The poses are wonderful. Excellent details of the two. Not easy to shoot a white bird against snow. The one seems to be calling everyone to watch them.

Jane

Hello James,
Great image of the Crane with good closeness!
excellent exposure and focus in this captured with a perfect white balanced!
sharpness, good colour and details all there
well done
Tony

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2138 W: 224 N: 3958] (13143)
  • [2008-09-18 13:00]

Hi James

A splendid post of these two lovely Japanese cranes and also a very nice dedication for our good friend, Evelynn.
These are some amazing birds and especially in such moments, i'm sure they are just a joy to watch. You've captured their "dance" superbly and show us a terrific close-up here.
The exposure is absolutely impeccable (retaining very good details even from those very bright whites) and the DOF chosen is spot-on.
Very well composed and presented, too.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hello James!
Wonderful capture with good details and sharpness. On the other hand I think that there are so noisess, unfortunatelly.
Good and nice dedication to Evelynn too, I believe she will like it a lot :)
Greetings,
Radomir

Hello James, lovely shot of these cranes. TFS. Regards,
Deniz

Hi James,
Excellent capture of these Red-crowned Cranes. I have never seen these but they look quite similar to Common Cranes with bright and white colours. Always an impressive sight. Very well captured with nice composition, good timing, sharp details and good lighting.
TFS
Pekka

hello James

long time i didn't see of your excellent shots,

excellent shot of these Japanese Cranes on action,
fine POV and appropriate vertical framing,
beautiful luminosity of the image,
excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1811 W: 29 N: 5243] (17176)
  • [2008-09-18 19:54]

Hi James,
Wonderful shot of this Red-crowned Crane duo doing some playful act. Very impressive sharpness and colours and you have handled the light and exposure very skillfully here. This is such a great dedication to build up spirit and zeal. Your low POV works magic here and makes the image so dynamic. Thanks for sharing this fine image.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 404 W: 0 N: 630] (2535)
  • [2008-09-18 20:41]

Hello james,

What a beautyfull photo you have made with the cranes in such a nice posture. You have rendered so well the white feathers as well as the snow. Using well the light you got many delicate color tones. The sharp looking image of the birds stays great on the blurry background.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hello James

A striking image of these two.
You managed an excellent POV and captured a wonderful pose.
The lighting and colours are natural.
Excellent presentation.
TFS

Wolf

Hi My friend, a splendid and timely capture of this beautiful huge cranes in a lovely posture. MTFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

James,

A very good, unusual and interesting subject choice. I have never seen these before but have posted a Crane oic some time back from South Africa.
The subject being black and white are not always easy to get the correct exposure on. You did very well here.
TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2582 W: 170 N: 7867] (24879)
  • [2008-09-19 3:36]

Hello James,
Fantastic view of these beautiful dancing Japanese Cranes! It seems strange to see Cranes in the snow! Excellent timing, fine details and beautiful colours. A nice dedication too!!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2765 W: 150 N: 7969] (24819)
  • [2008-09-19 5:38]

Hello James,
This capture of a pair of trumpeting Japanese Cranes is a fine tribute to Evelynn, a gifted photographer who is much respected on tis site.
We hope she gets well soon.
Great low POV and light management.
TFS this beauty,
Ivan

Hi James,
nice shot, excellent POV. Impresive picture. tfs. Stev

Hello James,

I miissed this shot.
Great picture from this bird.
Exellent photo and great dedication.
Gert

Thank you for this lovely post. I was always impressed with our sandhill cranes but these lovelies... black,white and red against the snowy backdrop are truly special. I can see how you could have been awestruck. I do so hope that some of their apparent joy rubs off on me! My reserves are a bit low at the moment... so this is very timely. Thanks

Evelynn )

Hi James,
I am very pleasure to see again one of your great craine shots. Excellent timing and composition. POV and colors superb. Thanks for sharing,
I wish you successfully works. Looking forward to seeing your new posts. cheers
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 648 W: 42 N: 1198] (3860)
  • [2008-09-23 21:21]

Hi James,

What a lovely image of these dancing cranes. Perfect exposure and detail, love the POV, well framed and composed. All the best,

Cheers Rick :)

Hello James
Oooo!!! Beautiful dancers! Uncommon photo.
Best regards
Lucja

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