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What a drip!


What a drip!
Photo Information
Copyright: Alli Hemingway (annagrace) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 545 W: 17 N: 853] (2992)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Olympus C4000Z
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-08-01 16:39
Viewed: 1224
Points: 5
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this photo near Parliament in Budapest. There was a family of swans and this one had just taken a drink. Apparently the Danube River is near drinking water quality, even for humans! I didn't risk it though, preferring to drink Hungarian beer instead.

Mute Swan

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Species: olor

Binomial name
Cygnus olor

The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is a common Eurasian member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae.
This bird is found naturally mainly in temperate areas of Europe and western Asia. It is not migratory, although eastern populations must move in winter when the lakes freeze.

This huge swan is one of the heaviest flying birds. Its size, red bill and white plumage make it almost unmistakable. The most similar species is Whooper Swan, but that has a yellow and black bill, and lacks the curved "swan" neck. Young birds are called "cygnets" and are brown rather than white, and lack the red bill.

Mute Swans nest on large mounds that they build in the middle of a shallow lake. These monogamous birds reuse the same nest each year, restoring or rebuilding it as needed. Male and female swans share the care of the nest, and once the cygnets are fledged it is not uncommon to see whole families looking for food. They feed on submerged aquatic vegetation, reached with their long bills.

Although this bird can be tame, it is aggressive in defence of its nest, and its size and impressive hissing make it a formidable adversary for animals as large as a fox. Unlike Black Swans, Mute Swans are strongly territorial. The familiar pose with neck curved back and wings half raised is a threat display.

Despite its name, this bird can make a variety of hisses and grunts, but it is certainly much less vocal than the noisy Whooper and Bewick's Swans. The most familiar sound associated with Mute Swan is the whistling of the wings in flight once this bird has laboriously taken off from the water.

All Mute Swans in Britain are considered the property of the British monarch, except for flocks owned by the Vintners' and Dyers' Companies.

The photo was seriously cropped. I had a hard time with the color, the day was cloudy and I couldn't repair it properly in Photoshop. Desaturating it didn't help either. Workshops are welcome!! :-)
liquidsunshine, Fisher, novaman has marked this note useful
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To Fisher: Hi Mike!annagrace 3 08-03 16:19
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Alli,
This swan looks like it's seen better days. You've captured the drip very well. I do think though, that you've cropped to much. I don't think there's much that can be done to alter the image. With the whites being a touch OE and the colours fairly dull, it's a tricky one. Excellent notes.
I'm sure someone on TN has the know how.
Thanks for posting, Are you ready for the big day? I hope your fridge is stocked up with lots of beer!!!

Hi Alli,

I like the capture. The water drip is a nice touch and you know, the reflection was just sweeked in. The POV is a good one. Excellent practice for your next mission.

Mike

Hi Alli,

The water drip gives the photo nice motion... the swan appears very focused on it!
Thanks for sharing the photo!
Cathy

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