|
|
|
Spoonbill
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This photo is from the same hide in Le Teich bird bird reserve as that of the Little Egret, posted two days ago.
Just a few minutes after the Little Egret, this Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia/skedstork) landed. It was totally unaware of us and walked towards us until I had to remove the extender to get a full photo of it. For a few seconds they were even in the same viewfinder view… ;o)
However I decided to show this a bit more distant photo as we gets the opportunity to see the whole bird, including the feets.
In the bird reserve Le Teich, there are more than 20 hides so it is easy to find one for your self (at least in April when we were there).
---------------------------
Geographic info:
This is photo is from a hide in Le Teich bird reserve in the southeast part of the bassain d’Arcachon to the west of Bordeaux in France.
---------------------------
Technical information:
I took this photo from a hide, in rawformat and used Adobe Lightroom for some adjustments before the edit in Photoshop CS2 as my CS3 beta expired and have not yet received the sharp version
Just white/black/grey balance, crop and a bit hue
Noise reduction with Noiseware professional
Sharpening with Photokit capture sharpener
---------------------------
About the specie:
From Wikipedia:
Spoonbills are a group of large, long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, which also includes the Ibises.
All have large, flat, spatulate bills and feed by wading through shallow water, sweeping the partly-opened bill from side to side. The moment any small aquatic creature touches the inside of the bill—an insect, crustacean, or tiny fish—it is snapped shut. Spoonbills generally prefer fresh water to salt but are found in both environments. They need to feed many hours each day.
Spoonbills are monogamous, but, so far as is known, only for one season at a time. Most species nest in trees or reed-beds, often with ibises or herons. The male gathers nesting material—mostly sticks and reeds, sometimes taken from an old nest—the female weaves it into a large, shallow bowl or platform which varies in its shape and structural integrity according to species.
The female lays a clutch of about 3 smooth, oval, white eggs and both parents incubate; chicks hatch one at a time rather than all together. The newly-hatched young are blind and cannot care for themselves immediately; both parents feed them by partial regurgitation. Chicks' bills are short and straight, and only gain the characteristic spoonbill shape as the they mature. Their feeding continues for a few weeks longer after the family leaves the nest. The primary cause of brood failure appears not to be predation but starvation.
The spoonbill family is one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes.
Species and distribution
The six species of spoonbill in two genera are distributed over much of the world.
* Common Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia): This is the most widespread species, which occurs in the northeast of Africa and much of Europe and Asia across to Japan. Adults and juveniles are largely white with black outer wing-tips and dark bills and legs. Breeds in reed-beds, usually without other species.
* Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor): Found in Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan.
* African Spoonbill (Platalea alba): Breeds in Africa and Madagascar. A large white species similar to Common Spoonbill, from which it can be distinguished by its pink face and usually paler bill. Its food includes insects and other small creatures, and it nests in trees, marshes or rocks.
* Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia): Most common in south-east Australia, but regularly found in smaller numbers on other parts of the continent when temporary wetlands form; in New Zealand, particularly the South Island, and sometimes as stragglers in New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands. Its food is aquatic life, and it nests in trees, marshes or reed-beds.
* Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes): Common in south-east Australia, not unusual on the remainder of the continent, vagrant to New Zealand, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Its food includes aquatic life, and it nests in trees, marshes or reed-beds.
* Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja or Ajaia ajaja): Adults are largely pink. They occur in South America, the Caribbean, Texas and southern Florida USA. They nest in Mangrove trees and feed on aquatic life. |
jaycee, uleko, nglen, Argus, vanderschelden, Pentaxfriend, lawhill, stevkds has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
- jaycee
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(21912) - [2007-05-18 11:28]
-
Hi Bengt,
This is beautiful!! The composition is just wonderful. The lovely Spoonbill in a wonderful pose ready to take a step. Colors, details and setting are superb.
Jane
-
- uleko
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2993 W: 162 N: 961]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2823) - [2007-05-18 11:29]
-
Hej Bengt,
Another great well-timed shot from you! I really like the profile showing the shape of the beak and the way it is slowly moving forward! Great DOF and sharp details in this lovely composition.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla
-
- Alex99
(18533)
- [2007-05-18 12:09]
- [+]
Hi Bengt.
This shot is so beautiful as previous one. Pictured moment is wonderful. I like nice lighting and natural rich colours of the picture and excellent composition of the shot. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.
P.S. I am interested: how did you manage to put so long (more than 3000 symbols) note for previous post?
-
- nglen
(32186)
- [2007-05-18 12:39]
-
Hi Bengt. A very good shot of the Spoonbill.a Nice compostion and POV. with good colour and fine detail.very good shot indeed, TFs. well done
Nick..
-
- demeve
(5995)
- [2007-05-18 13:08]
-
Hello Bengt, what a beautiful Spoonbill, looks like he is about to get into the water, very peaceful image...the collors, details, and composition are fantastic...well done my friend..
-
- Argus
(35041)
- [2007-05-18 13:10]
-
Hej Bengt,
Another nice shot from you, of the same high standard as of the Little Egret. You caught this European Spoonbill in a fine pose and show in good detail all the features of this species, though this individual looks like a juvenile. Fine compo. too.
TFS and best wishes,
Ivan
Good wildlife shot, Bengt.
Well composed.
TFS
Annick
-
- Mana
(18518)
- [2007-05-18 14:18]
-
Hi Bengt,
Wonderful moment captured. Very neat and sharp. Nice pose and POV. I like the rippled reflection and the intense look on its face. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon
Hi Bengt,
Excellent shot of this Spoonbill
this one looks different than the spoonbill i post here on TN
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Europe/Netherlands/photo107706.htm
i had a yellow tip on the spoon and a redthroat
This is a lovely compo with SUPERB sharpness and colours
TFS Thijs
Hello Bengt , very good comp. very strange legs and bill , TFS and good luck.
-
- marcin
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 136 W: 0 N: 242]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1826) - [2007-05-18 15:49]
-
hello Bengt
very good shot, nice compostion and POV.
TFS
marcin
Hello Bengt,
Perfect shot, nice colours and composition, you get it ready to take the step ++ TFS, Regards/Lawhill
Hi Bengt.
Very pretty shot. Very pure and sharp shot. Harmony of atmosphere, colours, lightning. Well done. Tfs. Stev
-
- manyee
(21052)
- [2007-05-18 23:58]
-
Fantastic exposure and focus on that white spoonbill, Bengt.
I like the pose with one tentative foot above the water.
Beautiful colors and light.
Composition is excellent as well.
TFS. ; )
bonjour bengt
je suis allé aussi au bassin d'arcachon l'été dernier mais je n'avais pas encore mon canon,il y a là bas un parc ornithologique bordé d'un sentier mais je ne sais plus si c'est le même que vous.
enfin toujours et il que cette photo est bien reussie et justement exposée
Hi Bengt,
Lovely photo of this Spoonbill. We rarely see them in the North West UK and they are not easy to photograph without the slight burnout of the feathering, especially in bright sunlight. Better when the sun is filtered through light clouds.
Well done and TFS.
Regards,
Peter
