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~Something Different~


~Something Different~
Photo Information
Copyright: Julia Hollis (Runnerduck) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 438 W: 66 N: 616] (1847)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: FujiFilm FinePix S5500
Exposure: f/3.1, 1/450 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-04-09 8:43
Viewed: 1038
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
... or is it?

Anas platyrhynchos ~ Mallard

After the breeding season, mallards form flocks and migrate from northern latitudes to warmer southern areas. There they wait and feed until the breeding season starts again. Some mallards, however, may choose to stay through the winter in areas where food and shelter are abundant; these mallards make up resident populations.
The familiar "quack" of ducks is from the female mallard--it is named the "decrescendo call", and can be heard for miles. A female will give the call when she wants to bring other ducks to her, such as her ducklings, and as a result it is also known as the "hail call".
When ducklings become juveniles you can begin to see a little colour. The males usually have a little green on their heads. Females will begin to look more dull-coloured, with mostly brown feathers. When feathers come in, you might notice your ducks pecking at their feathers a lot. This is called preening, in which ducks use oil from a special gland to waterproof their feathers.

One thing a duck has that really comes in handy is a unique oil gland near its tail. This allows water to roll off the duck's feathers. By using its bill to rub the oil gland, it distributes oil to its feathers. This process is called preening. Much of a ducks time is spent doing this. In this manner, a duck is able to completely cover its feathers in oil. And, as you probably know, oil and water do not mix. This is how ducks are waterproof. This process is so effective for ducks, that humans, who have observed it over the years, have coined the phrase, "Like water off a duck's back."


Image was slightly cropped for composition and the contrast adjusted.
-and yes the tail is oof ....

Thanks for taking the time to look …
Fisher, marhowie, sAner, carper, tinman, Luc, AdrianW has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To sAner: WSRunnerduck 3 04-11 03:08
To japie: ThanksRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:54
To Luc: ThanksRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:47
To Toni: ThanksRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:46
To tinman: Thank youRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:46
To carper: Thank youRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:45
To marhowie: Thank youRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:41
To Fisher: Thank youRunnerduck 1 04-10 04:39
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Critiques [Translate]

Excelent capture and well done on this composition. The reflection in the water is an added bonus. Excelent work.

Mike

Nice shot Julia! So that's the reason they are always "preening" themselves! Gee wiz,
I always thought they were lookin' for water feas! ;-)) Great reflection and composition with very good details, Well done and thanx!!

Hello Julia!

A very nice picture, it's just too bad that the tail is OOF (but you mentioned that yourself). I think that the focus on the head is a little soft but other than that I like the picture a lot. The reflection in the water is very nice and the details on the feathers are good. POF is very good too. TFS! I posted you a WS, I hope you don't mind and like the result.

Regards,
Pieter

very good duck shot again Julia,
the photo is nice to look at, the details are good the composition is well taken and the pof is very good, good job here,
gr. Jaap

Lovely capture - super movement in the water adn the reflection is great. Well done. Tim

  • Great 
  • Toni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
  • [2005-04-09 17:48]
  • [+]

Great composition. Like the reflection. Good details.
Toni

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2005-04-09 21:31]
  • [+]

Personal assessment of the photo: great.
Good visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thanks Julia. Good moment captured.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-04-10 4:53]
  • [+]

This is a beautiful image Julia and combined with your note makes for an excellent post.

Very well done and thanks for posting

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