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Avocet


Avocet
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 430 W: 53 N: 1809] (5823)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma EX 500mm f4.5 APO HSM, RAW ISO 400, Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DG 1.4x
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/250 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-27 5:51
Viewed: 411
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
(Pied) Avocet shot at RSPB Elmley Marshes reserve from hide.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The four species of Avocets are waders in the same avian family as the stilts. They are found in warm or hot climates.
They have long legs and long, thin, upcurved bills (giving their scientific name Recurvirostra) which they sweep from side to side when feeding in the brackish or saline wetlands they prefer. The plumage is pied, sometimes also with some red.
The avocets have webbed feet and they will readily swim. Their diet consists of aquatic insects and other small creatures.
They nest on the ground in loose colonies. In estuarine settings they may feed on exposed bay muds or mudflats.
The Pied Avocet is the emblem of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
The four species, all in the genus Recurvirostra, are:
- Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
- American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
- Red-necked Avocet, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae
- Andean Avocet, Recurvirostra andina
In a large colony they are aggressively defensive and chase off any other species of birds that try to nest among or near them. That causes the annoyed remark "Avocet: Exocet" from some British birdwatchers.
They had been extinct in Britain for a long time because of land reclamation of their habitat and persecution by skin and egg collectors, but during or soon after World War II started breeding on reclaimed land near the Wash which was returned to salt marsh to make difficulties for any landing German invaders.
uleko, ellis49, Jamesp, Argus, Royaldevon, jaycee, eqshannon, CeltickRanger, nardophoto, Adanac has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2686 W: 173 N: 8314] (26185)
  • [2008-04-27 6:10]

Hej Pekka,
Lovely capture of this elegant Avocet in a fine pose with ruffled feathers. Great focus, sharp details and natural colours. We have a few nesting here among the reed beds by the harbour but its hard to get near enough to capture them.
TFS and cheers, Ulla

Hej Pekka,
very nice capture of this beautiful bird, the Avocet.
Well composed with nice low POV and fine DOF, the bird standout well from the BG.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 0 N: 5286] (15770)
  • [2008-04-27 7:20]

Hi Pekka

We have about 40 breeding pairs of avocets on the Ouse Washes - they are quite easy to see - but not this close.

Great shot - lovely pose and excellent detail.

James

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2890 W: 171 N: 8437] (26168)
  • [2008-04-27 7:25]

Hej Pekka,
Nice capture of an Avocet taken from a nice low POV with good sharpness. We have this species near us but no hides to get so close!
I like the pose and the composition too.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Best regards, Ivan

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1383 W: 88 N: 955] (9194)
  • [2008-04-27 7:49]

hello pekka
good capture and well composed
i like POV, colours and sharpness
TFS
regards
izler

Hello Pekka,

This is an excellent post!
The avocet is perfectly poised, looking for food. You have captured the details of its feathers very well, and that unusually curved beak!
It looks to be standing on one leg , like that gull I posted a few days ago! In fact, is that the tip of its leg protruding from beneath it wing? These birds have the most incredibly sense of balance!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1451 W: 76 N: 3178] (10425)
  • [2008-04-27 10:05]

Hallo Pekka,
Great photo of this Avocet. Good sharpness and details. Beautiful POV and DOF. Excellent composition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2225 W: 10 N: 6273] (23568)
  • [2008-04-27 12:29]

Hi Pekka. This is a fine close up of the Avocet . I like the way they stand on one leg. You picture shows good detail and natural colours. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

Pekka

A top shot, have been trying to catch one myself for a while. You seem to have a knack for this sort of shot. A nice pose with spot on focusing.

Jai

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1999 W: 245 N: 6519] (23242)
  • [2008-04-27 13:55]

Excellent shot of this Avocet, Pekka!
You've captured it in a really great setting showing its habitat very well.
Nice light and natural colours.
Great DOF as well.
Well composed.
Great work as always!
Well done,

Joe

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1992 W: 8 N: 5278] (17111)
  • [2008-04-27 15:27]

Hi Pekka,

Nice shot of this Avocet with the wonderful curved beak and fine plummage. I love his pose on one leg. Nice to see him in his natural habitat.

Jane

"The avocets have webbed feet ". Yes and apparently muddy feet as well eh Pekka! It looks like I would request this aviary take off his feet or at least wipe them...sort of pure nature in many ways and a bird of which I am certainly not familiar...very sharp and contrasting is nice as well..of course the area around geographically is also interesting to the eye!
Bob

hello Pekka

excellent shot of this Avocet, fine POV, DOF and framing,
great sharpness and details of the bird and his plumage, TFS

Asbed

Ciao Pekka,
bellissima immagine, eccellente nitidezza e grande ricchezza di dettagli, splendidi colori. Grazie e complimenti.
TFS
Angelo

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 1 N: 4792] (15992)
  • [2008-04-29 19:22]

Hello Pekka,
Beautiful low point of view on this excellent image. The details abd composition are first rate. Thank for sharing Pekka.
Rick

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