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Colorfull visitor


Colorfull visitor
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul van Slooten (pvs) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-02-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Sony Alfa dSLR A700, Sony 300mm F2.8 G, Digital RAW 400
Exposure: f/4, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-02-10 3:27
Viewed: 700
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
At the moment we have a colorfull visitor amongst our normal ducks in the port,a common duck on TN,but in the area I live it is a rare event,hope you like it and tfw.

Mandarin Duck

The average length for the Mandarin Duck is between 43-51cm, wings folded 22.1-22.6cm. They have a tail length of 10.2-10.4cm and an average bill length of 27.9mm. In full plumage, the male Mandarin is the most beautiful of all ducks. The males have an iridescent crown extending to a long crest and chestnut cheeks. The breast is maroon with black and white vertical stripes; the abdomen and underside are white with gold and black flanks. The back and tail are olive brown, the upper tail coverts are blue/green, and the scapulars are iridescent blue. The outer tertials are orange and gold on the inner web and form a sail shape and the upper wing surface is mostly olive brown. This sail shape feature along with the white-eye stripe that extends from the bill and tapers toward the back of the head distinguishes the male from all others. Their bill is red and they have whitish legs with yellow feet.

The females, however, are less colorful. Their color vary from gray and white, to brown and greenish brown. The crown and sides of the head and neck are gray with a white-eye ring and streak that tapers off towards the neck. The throat and fore neck are white and the breast and sides of body are buff and gray. The back is gray brown and there are a series of white spots on the under parts. The wings are similar to the males but without the sail feathers. The bill is grayish black and the legs and feet are reddish yellow. The female bears a strong resemblance to the female Wood Duck but can be distinguished by the narrow eye stripe; the Wood Ducks is shorter and more blunt. Differences between the sexes are obvious, the males have a crested head and chestnut/orange wing and sail feathers that are raised vertically above their back. The females are duller in color and lack the crested head. The juveniles resemble the females but the males have a pinkish bill. During molting periods when the Mandarin sheds its feathers, the males resemble females but can be distinguished by the red bill.
robindb, uleko, nglen, Argus, Adanac has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Paul,
another superb shot of Mandarin Duck! I like composition, colours and details.

Best regards, Leonid

  • Great 
  • vral Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 64 W: 1 N: 218] (1049)
  • [2009-02-10 3:45]

Hello Paul,

What an amazing duck. These colors attracted me always. You've presented it nicely. Composition and the blue water surface are great.
Thanks for sharing
vral

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 645 W: 15 N: 1580] (6173)
  • [2009-02-10 4:04]

Hello Paul
Wonderful capture with good details and natural colors.
Regards.
Razvan

Hi Paul,

Good pose, detail and composition. It almost looks as if it is testing the temperature of the water with that foot. I presume it is pretty cold.

TFS

Robin

hello paul,
this is very lovely. the mandarin duck is a very beautiful bird and you surely caught her beauty in this image. =)
very nice!

thanks for sharing

alyssa

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2009-02-10 7:47]

Hello Paul,
A very fine capture of the male Mandarin Duck in a lovely pose. Great sharpness, beautiful colours and a nice composition. There was one that was stationary in Simrishamn a few years ago. It fell in love with a female Mallard!!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Hallo Paul,
Meestal zie je deze bijzondere eend altijd in dierentuinen.
In 't wild is een ander paar mouwen, denk ik. Zal misschien voor de vrijheid gekozen hebben:-)
Bedankt en groeten,
Annick

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8623] (32138)
  • [2009-02-10 12:24]

Hi Paul. We have some in the forset on a lake which had young last year. You have taken this one with aa good side view. with fine detail in the colourful feathers. Which you have taken with bright colours. well done tFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2386 W: 94 N: 5517] (17564)
  • [2009-02-10 12:26]

Hallo Paul,
Deze hoort oorspronkelijk in Oost-Azië thuis, dus zal wel ontsnapt zijn uit een vogelpark of dierentuin. Ik ben benieuwd of hij in het wild kan overleven.
In elk geval een prachtige foto in erg mooie heldere kleuren en buitengewone scherpte. Uitstekende compositie. Daar heeft het eendje ook wel een goede plaats voor uitgekozen.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2009-02-10 19:13]

Hi Paul,
What a beautiful guest you have got calling!! Excellent shot of this charming Mandarin Duck with stunning colours and details on its plumage. The blue water compliment the colours well. Immaculate sharpness and perfect lighting and you have captured it in a fine pose. Excellent POV, DOF and composition.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2009-02-11 1:48]

Hello Paul,
A great Capture of a male Mandarine Duck taken from a great POV by the water to show all its features with fine sharpness and colours in a fine composition.
Though they are not yet regarded as Swedish birds there are several pairs nesting in the wild. Maybe this one will breed in Sörmland!
TFS,
Best regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2009-02-11 17:59]

Hello Paul,
This is a brilliant shot of this beautiful species, they are amazing. Sharp focus and great exposure bring us this superb image. Thank you Paul.
Rick

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-02-12 8:16]

Hi Paul,
what a beautiful duck!
The colours of its plumage are stunning!
Very good level of detail and clarity.
Great DOF.
Well composed.

Excellent work!

Cheers,
Joe

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