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Eider Duck


Eider Duck
Photo Information
Copyright: Michael Halliday (pompey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 146 W: 4 N: 745] (2768)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-31
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300 D, Canon EF 75-300/4.0-5.6 III, Skylight
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-01-08 13:17
Viewed: 1150
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Eider
Somateria mollissima
AKA: Common eider
The UK's heaviest duck, and its fastest flying. It is a true seaduck, rarely found away from coasts where its dependence on coastal molluscs for food has brought it into conflict with mussel farmers. Eiders are highly gregarious and usually stay close inshore, riding the swell in a sandy bay or strung out in long lines out beyond the breaking waves.
Breeding
They breed along rocky coasts with suitable island and reefs with protective rocks and vegetation. Many eiders nest in gull and tern colonies, where they derive some protection as their more aggressive neighbours combine to chase away predators.
Wintering
Sheltered rocky coasts and estuaries.
In the breeding season, eiders are best looked for from the Northumberland coast northwards and off the west coast of Scotland. They are found in the same areas in winter and also further south on the Yorkshire coast and around the east and south coast as far a Cornwall. Befast Lough is a N Ireland stronghold and some are also found off the Welsh coast.

The female is a brownish colour and the down is used for stuffing Eider downs.
This handsome beast was photographed at Marwell Zoological Park in Hampshire.

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Critiques [Translate]

Lol, thought I recognised those stones in the background. Have you ever tried to photograph the penguins when they are swimming fast and popping up for air in little jumps? I have yet to catch one in mid air!

Composition: ***
Sharpness: **
Color: ****
DOF: **
POV: ***

Nice shot, but the BG is too present on the photo, the duck needs to breath.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-09 16:07]

You catured this at a very good POV Machael. The reflections are nice and the composition good. There are some white areas that are a bit hot.

Very well done and thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-02-21 21:07]

Michael, very beautiful photo. Very pleasant composition, nice texture and pose. Great dof and pov. The reflex and the effect upon the water are just great.

Lívio

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