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Curlew


Curlew
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 453 W: 58 N: 2111] (6749)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-11-20
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM, RAW ISO 1250, Canon EF 1.4x Extender II
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-11-23 4:28
Viewed: 474
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A pair of Curlews at RSPB Elmley Marshes nature reserve.

From Birdguides:

Curlew (Numenius arquata)

In: Eurasian Curlew Ca: Becut Da: Stor Regnspove De: Großer Brachvogel Es: Zarapito real Fi: kuovi Fr: Courlis cendré It: Chiurlo maggiore Nl: Wulp No: Storspove Pt: Maçarico-real Sv: Storspov US: Eurasian Curlew Ru: Большой кроншнеп

Identification
Curlews are easily identified, they are huge, streaky brown waders with a long, obviously down-curved bill. In flight they are mottled brown with a white rump and barred upper-tail. They are bigger than Whimbrels and lack the stripes in the crown.

Habitat
Breeds on areas of damp moorland and pasture. Winters on estuaries and damp grassland.

Behaviour
Females often migrate in June, leaving the males to tend the young. The song of the male is performed during an impressive song-flight, rising from the ground with quick wingbeats then gliding down with the wings stretched out and the head held slightly below the level of the body.

Migration
Many birds are sedentary, but others move south to the Mediterranean and west Africa. Birds return to their breeding areas in western Europe as early as February, but not until late April in more northerly areas.
siggi, Argus, eng55, jaycee, nglen, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: Wintering Curlewspekkavalo1 1 11-23 08:25
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Critiques [Translate]

hello pekka,
fine capture of this pair of Curlews, the limited dof works fine, the bird are in sharp focus, natural colors and pleasing composition,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1373 W: 56 N: 4723] (16252)
  • [2008-11-23 4:44]

Hello Pekka,
Superb pov to have this beautiful Curlews well captured in such fine details of it!
perfect sharpness with nice colouration
very well done
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-11-23 6:35]

Hi Pekka,
Outstanding shot of this beautiful Curlew pair in their natural habitat. Very neat and sharp image with magnificent details on their plumages. Superb light management and you have freezed this moment expertly. Excellent POV and composition.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 190 N: 11348] (34987)
  • [2008-11-23 7:06]
  • [+]

Hello Pekka,
Though this looks like it was taken at quite some distance, you have capture these two Curlews from a fine low POV with excellent sharpness against the grassy BG. They must be spending the winter in that locality or they perhaps they fly south when it gets too cold.
TFS this fine image,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1138 W: 32 N: 1161] (3574)
  • [2008-11-23 11:53]

Hi Pekka,
Very nice capture of this pair.I liked exposure,POV and visual impact a lot.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8625] (32146)
  • [2008-11-23 12:45]

Hi Pekka. No mistake when you see the Curlew. It the first time i have noticed how well the blend in with the dried grass. You have taken this pair with good detail and natural colours.
well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-11-23 12:45]

Hi Pekka,

A delightful capture of this pair of Curlews romping through the marshes. It's always so nice to see two at a time. They stand out wonderfully from the setting with good colors and sharp details. A wonderful composition.

Jane

Hello Pekka,

These can be quite shy birds and you probably had difficulty getting close. However, you have captured the fine details of their plummage, demonstrating clearly how well camourflaged they can be.
It is nice to see a pair.
We sometimes get them on the moorland and can hear their distictive calls but I've never had a good shot of them.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-11-24 7:04]

Hi Pekka,
I liked the scene you captured, very natural. Good lighting, layers, composition and nice low POV. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-11-24 9:21]

Pekka, Interesting shot with a very nice picture. Good sharp picture. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-11-24 13:09]

Hi Pekka,
a great photo of these two Curlews.
Excellent sharpness and detail.
Great DOF which has blurred the FG and BG very well.
Good composition.
Nice soft lighting.

Well done,
Joe

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