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White-throated Dipper (Strömstare)


White-throated Dipper (Strömstare)
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Ellstrom (ellis49) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3388 W: 343 N: 9479] (30805)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-03-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 300mm / F2.8 L USM, Digital RAW 400, Canon 2x extender II
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Anna's Favourites 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-03-04 2:25
Viewed: 1207
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 56
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
First I will thank all for the nice comments and words of my last post.

Today’s post is one of my fav’s, the White-throated Dipper. It’s a real tough bird who is not afraid of cold water and snow. We have a couple of them the whole winter in our small river, Gavleån.
They use to arrive in Oct-Nov and return to the north in the end of Mars / beginning of April.
This year we have 4 of them and since they are” lonely wolfs” they do not come along, always fighting for the best place on the river.
The big white spot on the breast helps them to bright up when they are seeking food on the bottom of the river.
About the colors of the dipper: Most people are convents they are really black because of the contrast to the snow, they are mostly brown in different tones and the plumage have a very fine pattern but you have to close to see it.
I took this yesterday in quite bad light so the quality is not best and I have to use my 300mm with a 2x extender since the birds was not co-operated and stayed in the middle of the river.
This one was sitting on a snow covered rock and watching for other dippers to chase away.
I hope you like the dipper.

The White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) is an aquatic passerine bird found in Europe and the Middle East, also known as the European Dipper or just Dipper. The species is divided into several subspecies on colour differences, especially of the pectoral band.
The nominate Black-bellied Dipper, C. c. cinclus, has no chestnut on the lower breast. It breeds in northern Europe and wanders to milder regions in winter. It has been recorded from the United Kingdom on many occasions.
The Dipper of Great Britain and Ireland, C. c. gularis and the central European race C. c. aquaticus are mainly resident.
The Cyprus population became extinct in the early 1950s. It has been described as a distinct subspecies, the Cyprus Dipper (C. c. olympicus), but its validity is doubtful.
The Dipper is a rotund, short-tailed bird, dark above and white-breasted, closely associated with swiftly running rivers and streams or the lakes into which these fall. The Dipper often perches bobbing spasmodically with its short tail uplifted on the rocks round which the water swirls and tumbles.
It acquired its name from these sudden dips, not from its diving habit, though it dives as well as walks into the water.
It flies rapidly and straight, its short wings whirring swiftly and without pauses or glides, calling a shrill zil, zil, zil. It will then either drop on the water and dive or plunge in with a small splash.

Source and more info in different language here

Canon 300mm/F2.8 L, 2.0x Extender, Tripod
ISO 400, Raw-format, AV.mode, spot metering +1 Ev
Converted in Canon DPP, Levels, Contrast, Crop, resized to 800 pixels, Smart Sharpen ,PP in PS CS4.
Well calibrated Eizo monitor

cataclysta, Alex99, valy67, bobcat08, cloud, boreocypriensis, CeltickRanger, Noisette, nglen, red45, maurydv, Luis52, haraprasan, Juyona, Argus, anel, JORAPAVI, crs, Miss_Piggy, LordPotty, siggi has marked this note useful
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To Miss_Piggy: Thanks Annaellis49 2 03-04 05:13
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1365 W: 56 N: 4667] (16040)
  • [2009-03-04 2:46]

Hello Gert,
A very good photo of the dipper! Great composition and exposure. The colors, details, pose, setting are all superb.
Best regards Siggi

hello Gert
beautiful composition
to the water where he belong
great sharpness
good light
beautiful colours

Hello Gert my friend,
I don't think I have seen this bird before.
Like Blackbirds,people think they are black,yet really they are different shades of brown.
It is interesting that the white breast helps light up the riverbed so they can find prey.
This shot clearly shows the attractive patterns of the plumage.
I see the beak is slightly upturned too.
Thanks for sharing this interesting post.
Cheers
Steve

Hello Gert
This is really a special and handsome looking bird. You have captured it in a most pleasant pose, displaying all its lovely features. The details of the plumage is excellently captured and displayed. Focus and sharpness is splendid, camera work just great! You are one lucky photographer, my friend!. Earlier I saw a bird posted by one of the fellow members and I thought it was great, now I look at this photo and I think wow this is really awesome. This site is so wonderful and makes one so much aware of all the wonders of nature that one would not normally see, and your photograph is definitely one of those special ones. This is also one of those you appreciate more and more each time you look at it. This one really sticks to me. Thanks for sharing, this very admirable bird. Perfect photos and information like you have given here is one of the reasons I'll stick to the site, no matter what.
Best regards.
Anna

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2009-03-04 4:30]

Hello Gert,

You have made a very nice photo with this bird. The low POV you have chosen offers a fine perspective over the bird. Desp[ite your rear position you have had very good eye contact. Moreover the bird is in a fine pose.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hola Gert,
Magnífica captura con gran nitidez, buena textura en las alas, excelent iluminación y fondo, saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1713 W: 0 N: 3892] (15622)
  • [2009-03-04 4:40]

hello Ellis,
Very happy to see the picture of a bird I discovered lately on the riverbank of the Aar which crosses the town. I was very surprised to see this "lonely wolf", which was looking at me. At the time I didn't know which species it was. I just recognize on your picture the white throat and the wonderful brown of the head. I think the rest of the plumage was a little darker than your specimen. Not easy to make a picture with the snow!
Excellent like always
Anne

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3800 W: 190 N: 11298] (34839)
  • [2009-03-04 4:55]

Hej Gert,
You made a superb capture of Strömstaren!
You must have been close to get him with such fine sharpness against the OOF water of Gävleån. The composition with the snow FG and light management are great.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful shot.
Hälsningar,
Ivan

Nu får vi några vårtecken: massor av sånglärkor och en del tofsvipor. Grågässen står parvis på fälten. Allt vi behöver nu är lite sol!

Hello Gert,
great shot of the Dipper! Superb details, composition, colors.

Best regards, Leonid

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2377 W: 94 N: 5465] (17432)
  • [2009-03-04 8:09]

Hello Gert,
Excellent photo of this White-throated Dipper. The details in the feathers are very sharp. Beautiful clear and natural colours. Very nice pose, POV and DOF. And these all in a great composition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2256 W: 10 N: 2618] (15517)
  • [2009-03-04 9:04]

Great work Gert,
beautiful plumage and pov.
nice shot as always,
greetings

Hi Gert,
A nice capture of this beautiful white throated dipper. Superb sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-03-04 9:27]

Hola Gert.
Great photo Gert. Excellent sharpness. I almost can see You taking the photo in his eye
Never seen this bird before, You have a great note about it to.
TFS My friend.
Luis52.

Hello Gert
what a wonderful portrait of White-throated Dipper taken from an excellent dorsal POV with outstanding sharpness, i like the marvellous colours and the pose of the bird against a dark blurred BG, very beautiful composition.
TFS.
Best regards.
Maurizio

very nice and sharp, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2009-03-04 11:58]

Hello Gert!

Maybe Blue Tit is Swede because of its colours, but this bird is Swede from its heart :-) Sitting on snow and enjoying it - this is fun only for Swedes :-) But seriously - I like this bird also. Beautifull brown colours and superb details on plumage. Excellent shot my friend, as always!

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2009-03-04 12:44]

Hi Gert,

A very nice capture,in svalan it is confirmed that we have one as well close to my home,but I havent met this dipper yet,well photographed with good sharpness and detail,the BG looks great and the snow adds to the compo,tfs

Paul

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586] (32012)
  • [2009-03-04 13:11]

Hi Gert. I can see why it is one of your favorites its a beautiful looking bird that you have taken with fine detail and natural colours. It markings in the feathers shows up so well. It has a unusual looking eye. well done TFS.
Nick..

I am pleased to see you are still posting as many have left for now.

Hello Gert
a very beautiful shot of this dipper in the snow,
you managed to bring out some nice detailson his plumage
great pose, POV, colors and BG
a perfect shot
Jacqueline

hello Gert

excellent close-up photography of the White-throated Dipper,
shot with fine POV and framing, superb focus on the bird
and the foreground with great sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Hi Gert! Good Morning!
A fine capture of this pretty White-throated Dipper from a great POV with excellent details and nice composition.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

hello Gert
very good pose and composition,
great shot,a perfect photo
best regards
Nasos

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 298 W: 71 N: 757] (4683)
  • [2009-03-05 2:09]

Hello Gert,
You managed with low POV good composition and the bird show very impressive. I like colours of plumage against water and snow.
Regards, Pawel

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2009-03-05 6:16]

Gert, why the eyes are like that. Is it natural or is it closed? Perfect shot and with lovely exposure. Ganesh

Hi Gert,

I haven't seen this bird before. A beautiful photo, despite the poor light. So sharp, that you can see the snowparticles on his feathers. Great. the diagonal line of the snow makes this one very special. A great low POV. Very nice notes. My compliments.

Kind regards and TFS BOB

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1879 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
  • [2009-03-05 13:11]

Hello Gert !
I don't remeber to have seen this bird already, I think it's a first for me - and what a great picture this is ! Sharpness and details are excellent, but what I like most are the winter colors and mood, with snow and greyish BG. Composition and POV are excellent too, and even the OE snow does not bother me - you just made the best out of the conditions you had. Very well done !
Valérie.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3581 W: 143 N: 5669] (18529)
  • [2009-03-06 12:21]

Hi Gert.
What a nice and unknown for me bird. I am impressed a lot with its representation. DOF is great. Sharpness is amazing. Every feather and other charming details are reflected precisely. Composition created by curve of snow and pose of the bird are wonderful. Neutral BG is superb canvas for this beauty. My best wishes and TFS. Have a nice weekend.
Alexei.

Hi Gert
First of all I like the bird I have seen this species only two times. Beautiful photo. Perefect sharpness, great blured background As always great job
TFS
Krzysztof

Excellent catch.The colors are beautiful and excellent clarity.Can be observed and the smallest details.Congratulations!

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