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Three Arctic 'Graces'


Three Arctic 'Graces'
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1297 W: 0 N: 5080] (15138)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-30
Categories: Mammals
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-25 11:46
Viewed: 3451
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This shot was taken from a zodiac on Phippsoya, about 40 minutes sailing from where I took the shot ‘Spitzbergen Whalebone Feast’. These Walrus are Atlantic Walrus and are almost certainly male. The Spitzbergen population and Franz Josef lands population are thought to be one. The Spitzbergen population is mainly male whilst the Franz Josef population is predominantly females and pups. Animals have been tracked moving between groups.

Two subspecies are commonly recognized: the Atlantic walrus, Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758), and the Pacific walrus, Odobenus rosmarus divergens (Illiger, 1815). A third subspecies has been proposed, the Laptev Sea walrus, Odobenus rosmarus laptevi (Chapski, 1940), but this is not commonly recognized as such.

The walrus is a very large and robust pinniped, with a cinnamon-brown skin, which becomes lighter with age. The skin is covered with short coarse hair. The walrus' most distinctive features are the large tusks (enlarged upper canine teeth). Of the Atlantic subspecies, the males measure 300 cm and weigh 1,200 kg. Females measure 250 cm and weigh 750 kg. At birth pups are 140 cm long and weigh 50 kg. The Pacific walrus is slightly larger: males are 360 cm long and weigh 1600 kg, female are 260 cm long and weigh 1250 kg and pups measure 140 cm and weigh 60 kg. The walrus feeds mainly on benthic (deep water) invertebrates, such as molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans. They eat up to 45 kg per day.
Females become mature at ages 5 through 7, males at 5 through 10. 80% of the females calve every 2 years, 15% every 3 years and 5% less frequently. Gestation lasts 15 months, including a delay of implantation of 3-3˝ months. Lactation lasts 1 to 2 years. Longevity is about 40 years.

NB Eugene also on TN was on the same trip and zodiac as me.
pablominto, Adanac, JPlumb, Nephrotome2 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Evelynn: EquipmentJamesp 1 02-25 13:50
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Critiques [Translate]

Well that would be a thrill to see from your zodiac. We have boated next to killer whales and lots of seals. These guys are neat! I see you take your good equipment on a boat with sea air and spray! My husband would have a hissy fit! Have you ever had a problem?

It's a great capture TFS

Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-02-25 14:27]

Hello James

A wonderful capture.It is like three old gents discussing politics.I like the composition.
Well focused with sharp details.Excellent POV.Well done.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15128)
  • [2007-02-25 17:21]

Hi James,
Great capture of these three Winston Churchill lookalikes, what a fantastic capture of these wonderful animals that I would love to see one day. The capture is tack sharp and beautifully composed.
Rick

  • Great 
  • trinko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 610 W: 83 N: 324] (4310)
  • [2007-02-25 19:44]

nice shot great imperious stare on the one good colors

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3100 W: 234 N: 5929] (20008)
  • [2007-02-26 3:27]

Fantastic capture, James.
Crystal clear details on these rarely seen animals in their natural habitat. Excellent focus.
What a precious group.
TFS. : )

Hello James,
Excellent piece of work!
Good capture of the moment, the light in the far North gives wonderful colours and great details...
A well composed image, well balanced and DOF spot on!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi James,
Good compo.
A tripartite; I wonder how they communicate...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • JPlumb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 644 W: 160 N: 894] (2837)
  • [2007-03-03 20:31]

Hi James, this is fabulous detail of these walruses, right down to their whiskers. The composition is very good. They appear to be 3 old guys discussing the current affairs. Very nice.

Thanks, John

Another fabulous shot of yours.
Brilliant pose. crisp clear. Great composition.
TFS
JM

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