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flamingo under water
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Michel Pilon (pilonm)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 546 W: 99 N: 818]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (2667) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-02-03 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Camera: Panasonic DMC FZ - 20 LUMIX |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2006-05-29 10:09 |
| Viewed: 1391 |
| Points: 14 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Some American Flamingos was present in our hotel garden. This one was taking a shower under the water fountain...
Hope you'll like it!
Geographic Range
South America, from central Peru to southern Argentina and Chile, including parts Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical (native ); indian ocean (native ); atlantic ocean (native ).
Habitat
The flamingos live in lagoons, especially salt lakes, where there is lots of mud and water. The depth of the water is especially important. Some flamingos nest in the same nest every year; others probably don't.
Aquatic Biomes:
lakes and ponds; coastal .
Physical Description
Mass
2.30 kg (average)
(5.06 lbs)
Their size and color make these birds unmistakeable.
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Flamingos breed during the months of March and July 14th. They form long-term pair bonds, but there is probably considerable extra-pair mating. During mating, the male tucks his legs under the females wings. Nests are constructed of mud, 25 cm high and 35-40 cm across. The female lays one egg, which she and the male incubate for one month. During incubation, flamingos straddle the nest, placing their long legs on either side of it. The egg is elongate, chalky white and the yolk is blood red. The babies are born grey with a straight bill, the upper mandible with a slight hook. For up to two months, the parents produce a special "crop milk" that they feed to their young. This crop milk is primarily fat and protein, and is initially dark red! The young are agile, good at running and swimming.
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous .
Behavior
Flamingos are social creatures, living and breeding in very large colonies.
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
Flamingos use their long legs to stir up mud. They then use their beaks to strain food out of the muddy mixture. They eat diatoms, seeds, blue-green algae, a few crustaceans, and molluscs. They feed during the day and the night.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Flamingos damage the lagoons that they live in by creating their nests; this process can actually lead to flooding when the soil is washed away.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The flamingo, by eating blue-green algae, helps keep the algae level down in that area. They also help control the number of small crustaceans and molluscs.
Conservation Status
A flamingos worst enemy is man, who destroys the bird's habitat or kills them for sport. Other enemies are include climatic changes, rising waters, and predators (especially on chicks) |
loot, elefantino, wgreis, Luc, nainnain has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- ma-at
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 18 W: 0 N: 26]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif)
(142) - [2006-05-29 10:12]
- [3]
Wonderful shot and great frame. Care to share how you framed this?
L
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- Karin
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 5 N: 268]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(2089) - [2006-05-29 11:53]
- [3]
Yes i like it! Good compo and color. I first thought it was photographed on a rainy day, then I read it was a fountain. But the effect is interresting.
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- loot
(9129)
- [2006-05-29 12:09]
- [3] [+]
Hi Michel
At first I thought it's raining cats and dogs until I read your notes. That makes it a very interesting capture of this opportunistic flamingo. Probably it is not the first time it pulled this stunt though.
My personal experience in trying to shoot these birds is that it is a very difficult bird to capture in a good photo with correct exposure control. Yes, I know there are many great photos of flamingos, but so far I always ended up with OE on the back and/or head. The soft pink or rose colours is just as bad as pure white and since these birds normally stand in the open, underneath the harsh sun, that does not really help much. Unfortunately I believe you had a bit of the same result here. The back and the beak caught their fair share of OE which obviously is a bit of a distraction. The good news is that there is always a next time to try and try again until you get that magic shot.
Anyway, there are lots of other positive points in your photo. The uniqueness of the moment was well captured. The composition is fine and the dark colour of the water as BG compliments the bird quite well. You also managed the DOF very well showing good details.
Nice effort and TFS.
Regards
Loot
Hi Michel, nice dhot taken in the rain.
Good colors and details of the pink bird.
Andrea
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- wgreis
(554)
- [2006-05-29 21:19]
- [2]
Hi Michel,
the raindrops are fantastic. Wonderful moment. Colors and POV ok.
Note perfect.
Congratulations,
Wagner.
Michel,
wow is the only word that i can say for this picture, great capture with natural colors and lighting!
TFS
Goutham
bonsoir
magnifique ce flament rose et avec la pluie c' est tres originale, jolie couleur, dommage que la couleur blanche soit dominante en premier plan mais très beau travail
edith
