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Mallard


Mallard
Photo Information
Copyright: Hilary Wilkinson (Hil) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 750 W: 11 N: 1442] (4951)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-01-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/4, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-01-22 15:59
Viewed: 505
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A Mallard

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
The mallard is a large and heavy looking duck. It has a long body and a long and broad bill. The male has a dark green head, a yellow bill, is mainly purple-brown on the breast and grey on the body. The female is mainly brown with an orange bill. It breeds in all parts of the UK in summer and winter, wherever there are suitable wetland habitats, although it is scarcer in upland areas. Mallards in the UK may be resident breeders or migrants – many of the birds that breed in Iceland and northern Europe spend the winter here.

Where does it live?
Breeding
Found in large and small lakes and slow-flowing rivers, including park lakes, reservoirs, small pools and coastal marshes.
Wintering
Flocks found on large water bodies and the sea.
Passage
As breeding and wintering
Where to see it
It is the commonest duck and most widespread so you have a chance of seeing it just about anywhere where there is suitable wetland habitat, even in urban areas.
What does it eat?
Seeds, acorns and berries, plants, insects and shellfish.
What does it sound like?
The female has a variety of calls including the familiar ‘quack’ which is often repeated many times. The male makes a quieter, low, ‘crrib’.
When to see it
All year round.
Similar species
Gadwall, Pintail, Teal

Notes from the RSPB Website
Check it out to do the nationwide Birdwatch Survey on the 27/28th Jan
Necipp, claudine, Fisher, Alex99, hester, livios has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2007-01-22 17:28]

Hi Hil,

A good effort and nicely cropped.
Full reflection would have been a bonus. ;)

Mike

Hello Hilary,
It seems like a long time since we heard from you :) This is a nice capture of this female with very strong lightning and beautiful reflection and colors. I wonder why details are a little soft though. From your camera settings, I could not tell... Anyway, it is an agreeable post to look at with useful notes too. Thanks,
Claudine

Hello Hilary,

well done on this photo excllent colors Bg POV the reflection Is great details very crisp, nicly composed AND CAPTURE PHOTO EXCLLENT WORK

tfs kYLE

Hi Hilary you got some lovely colours looks like the light was a bit strong though best time to take bird shots is late afternoon or early morning looks a lunchbreak shot :-) we have had some good weekend light recently to take advantage of Shes got her eye on you! reflections look great TFS rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3160 W: 148 N: 4787] (15449)
  • [2007-01-23 11:36]

Hi Hilary.
I am glad to see you and your new picture after long delay so much. The POV and colour palette of the picture is great. I like your interesting cropping too as well as the full of content note. Only image of the duck is soft a bit and there is small OE spot on it. TFS and best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1479 W: 18 N: 3030] (11110)
  • [2007-01-23 12:54]

Hi Hilary

Nice to see another post from you, I hope you have been well

Nice POV, composition and colours. Abit soft on the duck but great on the reflection. Great light

TFS

Karan

hi Hilary

very beautiful clearness very beautiful detail and of pretty splendid color cheer

eric

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2007-01-24 17:59]

Hil, this is indeed colorful - and that's great.

I like contrast and saturation.

Great pov and composition.

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