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Parking Permit Partridge


Parking Permit Partridge
Photo Information
Copyright: Mish Maggs (Finland_in_Eton) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 162 W: 22 N: 227] (874)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-17
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/3.2, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-18 5:06
Viewed: 492
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A rather unusual place to find a partridge but you take photo opportunities as they happen.

My better half talked me into a fishing trip yesterday. He was convinced the weather forecast calling for clear skies was accurate, despite the ominous cloud cover hanging overhead.

Suffice to say there was the odd glimpse of blue sky but mostly there were lowering clouds, gusty winds and a chill to the air that kept me making trips to the car to warm up.

Sitting in the car, dozing, on one occasion, I was startled by a thump followed by scrabbling noises. Opening my eyes I found myself staring nose to beak at a Red Legged Partridge. My camera was in it's case, on the seat next to me and as I reached for it and tried to undo the top, I was sure the bird would panic at my movements and flee. It didn't. It seemed to be aware I was in the car, but didn't appear to be worried. It strutted about, did a bit of ... for lack of a better word... crowing (though it sounded more like chuck, chuck, chuck)... pecked the hood of the car, inspected the windshield wipers and then hopped onto the driver's side mirror where it bent down and looked at itself and peered in at me. Back on the hood, it made another inspection of the windshield wipers, had a peck or two at them then walked to the other side of the car, hopped down and ran away into the underbrush.

The photo therefore is not the best; taken through a dirty tinted windshield. I adjusted the colors in PSPP XI with the color fade tool and the contrast using the clarify filter and unsharp mask.


From Wikipedia

The Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is sometimes known as French Partridge, to distinguish it from the Grey or English Partridge.

This partridge breeds naturally in south western Europe, in France and Iberia. It has become naturalised in southern England, where it was introduced as a game species. It is replaced in south eastern Europe by the very similar Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca). It is a non-migratory terrestrial species, which forms flocks outside the breeding season.

This species breeds on dry lowlands, such as farmland and open stony areas, laying its eggs in a ground nest.

It is a rotund bird, with a light brown back, grey breast and buff belly. The face is white with a black gorget. It has rufous-streaked flanks and red legs. When disturbed, it prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings.

This is a seed-eating species, but the young in particular take insects as an essential protein supply.

The call is a three-syllabled ka-chu-chu.
Miss_Piggy, Humanist, Alex99, uleko, jaycee, CeltickRanger, rcrick, jusninasirun, goldyrs, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Mish
An opportunity well taken. What a beautiful big bird with lovely patterns and colours on its feathers. This is a striking close-up with lots of details to appreciate. A interesting pose with its head slightly tilted upwards, as if it was waiting for you to photograph it. The red ring around his eye is really stunning, and the flash light is just the cherry on the cake. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your day.
Anna.

Hi Mish
Great result in such a strange situation. Good details and colours.
Thanks for sharing!
Pekka

That is quite the story for this photo! Your photo has strong sharpness and colour considering the adverse conditions. I have so often been in situations where the bird DID get scared, that your tale makes me hope for better luck.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3040 W: 148 N: 4529] (14629)
  • [2008-03-18 6:46]

Hi Mish.
You have so wonderful shots. This one is wonderful. You managed to catch a very expressive moment and scene. I like it a lot. Despite the cloudy weather (if I am not mistaken) your picture has nice vivid colours and great details. Composition of the picture and framing of the image are excellent too. Many thanks and best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2466 W: 168 N: 7458] (23564)
  • [2008-03-18 8:03]

Hello Mish,
What a great shot and amazing story!! I really didn't know you had Red-legged Partridges in England! They're such beautiful birds and you were able to have a really close look here and how amazing that you managed to get such a good shot through the closed car window! Great focus on the eye watching you and fine details and colours. Well done!!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1786 W: 8 N: 4638] (14987)
  • [2008-03-18 13:21]

Hi Mish,

This is great - and so is the story! You have proven the theory once again - never leave the house without the camera. I have never seen a Partridge - the attitude reminds me of our Gamble's Quails. What a face and what eyes! He looks like he's wearing sunglasses. Beautiful colors and fine details of the face, wings and plummage. To say the least, a very unusual pose on the car.

Jane

hello Mish

what a lovely shot you did of this Red-legged Partridge,
i love his pose, your POV and in the framing that you kept
a good space in front of the partridge, great DOF,
excellennt sharpness and lovely details of his plumage, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 627 W: 42 N: 1153] (3730)
  • [2008-03-18 19:39]

Hi Mish,
What a great capture defiantly one of those being in the right place at the right time, colours and detail are excellent even though the window screen, well framed and captured, all the best Cheers Rick :)

Hello Mish. Excellent sharpness and details of this bird. I like the details of the plumage and well perched exposing the beauty of the whole body. Regards. Jusni

Hey Mish,
A sht that's very well executed!I love the details and the composition!
Very well done!TFS!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2349 W: 61 N: 3802] (12200)
  • [2008-03-20 7:25]

Hi Mish,
What a curious fellow :o))) It must have been really surprising and funny for you to watch him from the car. You got a very good result through the car window. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

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