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White Wagtail


White Wagtail
Photo Information
Copyright: omer sozer (eng55) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1151 W: 32 N: 1192] (3654)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-29
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-07 12:24
Viewed: 1687
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 124
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi,
This photo was taken last sommer near Tuzla lake early in the morning.
Thanks for looking and have nice week!

Infos from Wikipedia

White Wegtail,
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Motacilla
Species: M. alba
Binomial name
Motacilla alba
Linnaeus, 1758
The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. It has a toehold in Alaska as a scarce breeder.
This is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks.
It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures.
Taxonomy
Breeding ranges of the major racesThe White Wagtail was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae, and it still bears its original name of Motacilla alba
Within the wagtail genus Motacilla, the White Wagtail's closest relatives appear to be other black-and-white wagtails such as the Japanese Wagtail, Motacilla grandis, and the White-browed Wagtail, Motacilla madaraspatensis, (and possibly the Mekong Wagtail, Motacilla samveasnae, the phylogenetic position of which is mysterious) with which it appears to form a superspecies. However mtDNA cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 sequence data suggests that the White Wagtail is itself polyphyletic or paraphyletic (i.e. The species is not itself a single coherent grouping). Other phylogenetic studies using mtDNA however suggest that there is considerable gene flow within the races and the resulting closeness makes Motacilla alba a single species
Willy Wagtail was a colloquial name used in the Isle of Man, replacing the older name ushag vreck,as well as a common name used in Northern Ireland.
Description
This is a slender bird, 16.5–19 cm (6½–7½ in) in length (East Asian subspecies are longer, to 21 cm (8¼ in), with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. The nominate subspecies Motacilla alba alba is basically grey above and white below, with a white face, black cap and black throat.
There are a number of other subspecies, some of which may have arisen because of partial geographical isolation, such as the resident British form, the Pied Wagtail M. a. yarrellii, which now also breeds in adjacent areas of the neighbouring European mainland. Pied Wagtail, named for naturalist William Yarrell, exchanges the grey colour of the nominate form with black (or very dark grey in females), but is otherwise identical in its behaviour. Other subspecies, the validity of some of which is questionable differ in the colour of the wings, back, and head, or other features. Some races show sexual dimorphism during the breeding season. As many as six subspecies may be present in the wintering ground in India or Southeast Asia and here they can be difficult to distinguish. Phylogenetic studies using mtDNA suggest that some morphological features have evolved more than once including the back and chin colour. Breeding M. a. yarrellii look much like the nominate race except for the black back, and M. a. alboides of the Himalayas differs from the Central Asian M. a. personata only by its black back. It has also been noted that both back and chin change colour during the prebasic moult; all black-throated subspecies develop white chins and throats in winter and some black-backed birds are gray-backed in winter.
The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp chisick, slightly softer than the version given by Pied Wagtail. The song is a pleasant twittering, more regular in White than Pied, but with little territorial significance, since the male uses a series of contact calls to attract the female.
Distribution and habitat
Worldwide distribution of the White Wagtail. Yellow denotes summer range, green year round range, blue winter range.This species breeds throughout Eurasia up to latitudes 75°N, only being absent in the Arctic from areas where the July isotherm is less than 4°oC. It also breeds in the mountains of Morocco and western Alaska. It occupies a wide range of habitats, but is absent from deserts.

White Wagtail is resident in the milder parts of its range such as western Europe and the Mediterranean, but migratory in much of the rest of its range. Northern European breeders winter around the Mediterranean and in tropical and subtropical Africa,and Asiatic birds move to the Middle East, India, and SouthEast Asia. Birds from the North American population also winter in tropical Asia.
Status
This species has a large range, with an estimated gextent of more than 10 million km² (3.8 sq mi). The population size is unknown, but it is believed to be large, as the species is described as "common" in at least parts of its range. Population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. The population in Europe appears to be stable. The species has adapted well to human changes to the environment, and has in fact exploited human changes such as man-made structures which are used for nesting sites and increased open areas which are used for foraging.
Behaviour
The most conspicuous habit of this species is a near-constant tail wagging, a trait that has given the species, and indeed the genus, its common name. In spite of the ubiquity of this behaviour, the reasons for it are poorly understood. It has been suggested that it may flush prey, or signal submissiveness to other wagtails. A recent study has suggested instead that it is a signal of vigilance to potential predators.
Diet and feeding
The exact composition of the diet of White Wagtails varies by location, but terrestrial and aquatic insects and other small invertebrates form the major part of the diet. These range from beetles, dragonflies, small snails, spiders, worms, crustaceans, to maggots found in carcasses and, most importantly, flies in the order Diptera. Small fish fry have also been recorded in the diet. The White Wagtail is somewhat unusual in the parts of it range where it is non-migratory as it is a insectivorous bird that continues to feed on insects during the winter (most other insectivorous birds in temperate climates migrate or switch to more vegetable matter).
Breeding
White Wagtails are monogamous and defend breeding territories.The breeding season for most is from April to August, with the season starting later further north. Both sexes are responsible for building the nest, which is a rough cup assembled from twigs, grass, leaves and other plant matter. The nest is set into a crevice or hole; traditionally in a bank next to a river, but the species has also adapted to nesting in walls, bridges and buildings. Around 3-8 eggs are laid, with the usual number being 4-6. Both parents incubate the eggs, although the female generally does so for longer and incubates at night. The eggs begin to hatch after 12 days (sometimes as late as 16 days). Both parents feed the chicks until they fledge at around 14 days, and the chicks are fed for another week after fledging.
The White Wagtail makes a cup nest of dried grass, which it lines with soft materials, including animal hair. Its eggs are cream-coloured, often with a faint bluish-green or turquoise tint, and heavily spotted with reddish brown; they measure, on average, 21 x 15 mm (0.83
Noisette, nglen, Argus, siggi, maurydv, Silvio2006, boreocypriensis, jaycee, crs, Jamesp, jconceicao, yasemin, zulfu, efsus, SelenE, matatur, xTauruSx, Alex99, Gert-Paassen, bahadir, cypturk, uleko, marhowie, ramthakur, Adanac, anel, meyerd, nkasot, angela926, JoseMiguel, fiyo, oscarromulus, ferranjlloret, gracious, Raptorman, valy67, vanderschelden, rousettus, CeltickRanger, cpt_burak, cicindela, jusninasirun, Hormon_Manyer has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To cypturk: iyi bayramlar:)eng55 1 12-09 03:12
To bahadir: iyi bayramlar:)eng55 1 12-09 03:07
To xTauruSx: iyi bayramlar:)eng55 1 12-08 12:06
To zulfu: iyi bayramlar:)eng55 1 12-08 12:00
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2916 W: 34 N: 8651] (32250)
  • [2008-12-07 12:39]

Hi Omer, This is a good close up of the Wagtail, it is a bird i have yet to photo. you have taken this one with good detail and rich colours. I like the way you have the bird in focus and the BG blurred. all with interesting notes. well done. TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2008-12-07 12:47]

Merhaba Omer,
A very fine capture from the summer of a White Wagtail taken from an excellent low POV with fine sharpness and lighting. Nice full-frame composition against a pleasing OOF BG.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Kind regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2008-12-07 12:49]

Hello Omer,
this is a beautiful bird with good sharpness and pretty light. Also good contrast to the dark BG, thanks.Best regards
Siggi

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2008-12-07 13:03]

Hello Omer,
A very beautiful photo from a very good low POV. Great colours and sharp details. Nice pose and an excellent composition.
Regards,
Peter

Merhaba Omer,
bellissima immagine di Ballerina bianca, catturata con straordianri dettagli in un'elegante e classica postura, eccellenti POV e composizione con un ottimo OOF BG, magnifici i colori e splendida luce.
TFS.
Maurizio

very good capture with beautiful details and colours !

merhaba ömer bey,
çok güzel bir tür,
Bayramınızı tebrik ediyorum.

Ciao Omer, lovely bird in a great pose, wonderful BG with fantastic colors, good details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Ahhh... Ömer dostum. durdun durdun gene turnayı gözünden vurdun:) söz tabiki. harika bir çakim yine. Bu kuyruk sallayanlardan:) ben de çekmişsim ama tabi bizim kamerayla böyle nefis çekim yapmak mümkün mü:) Eline sağlık dostum her zmanki gibi bir Ömer karesi. her açıdan mükemmel. Bayramını kutlar, sen ve ailene daha nice mutlu, sağlık dolu bayramlar diliyorum.
sağlıcakla...
Bayram

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-12-07 15:54]

Hi Omer,

A beautiful picture of this White Wagtail who is not among the most frequently found on TN. A lovely pose showing off his wonderful colors. Excellent details of the head, wings and plummage. I love the dark feathers on the top of the head and running from the beak down the breast. Beautiful natural setting and composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-12-07 19:44]

Hello Omer,

I like very much the low POV you have chosen. This has given a fine perspective over the bird showing it nicely. You have also made good use of the DOF so that unsarp fore and background give a nice feeling of depth. Bird is shown in avery sharp image so that all plumage details can be very well seen. Moreover you have rendered many nice, saturated color tones, making the image look so real.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • volkan Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 463 W: 10 N: 2] (1098)
  • [2008-12-07 23:22]

Detaylar mükemmel olmuş Ömer bey..
emeğinize sağlık...iyi bayramlar..

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2008-12-07 23:34]

Hi Omer

Superb shot - good low pov and superb colours.

James

Hi Omer,

Excellent capture.
Nice colours with good details.
Lighting and composition are fantastic.

Merhaba omer bey.. cok guzel cekmissiniz. renkler ve detaylar cok iyi... elinize saglik. Bayraminiz da kutlu olsun. Londra'dan selamlar...
Leyla

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1065 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2008-12-08 7:28]
  • [+]

Selamlar Ömer Bey
herzamanki gibi nefis bir kuş karesi. Elinize sağlık. İyi bayramlar.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 10 N: 738] (3210)
  • [2008-12-08 7:30]

Merhaba Ömer bey,
Yine çok güzel bir kareye imza atmışsın. Renkleri ve detaylarıyla harika bir akkuyruksallayan karesi olmuş. Bayramını kutluyor, yeni karelerde görüşmeyi diliyorum.
Hoşçakal.

Hüseyin

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-12-08 8:02]

Merhaba Omer Bey,
Isik, renkler, cekim aciniz, fon ve poz cok guzel. Ellerinize saglik
Selamlar

Nefis bir makro çekim, harika renkler ve sığ saha derinliği zonu kullanımının çok başarılı bir örneği Ömer, ellerine sağlık dostum.
Mehmet

Merhaba Ömer Bey, harika karelerinize bir alave daha. Nefis olmuş. Elinize sağlık ve Bayramınız kutlu olsun.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3586 W: 143 N: 5690] (18601)
  • [2008-12-08 9:48]

Hi Omer.
I love this species a lot. It is my neighbour on countryside house. I see it almost every day when I am here however I have not such wonderful shot of the bird. Amazing low POV, fantastic details and very unusual and so amazing scenery^ ground and BG. DOF and composition of the shot are precise. My congratulations. Excellent job.
Alexei.

Hi Omer

I really like the light on this one. Great composition, excellent sharpness and plumage details.

Chris

Hi Omer,

Good clos up from the Wagtail.
Nice poc with an blurred bg.
beutiful warm colours.

Gert

Un buen enfoque y profundidad. El enfoque es excelente así como la luz y los colores. El encuadre, a pesar de ser muy cerrado, creo que es una acierto.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

Merhaba Ömer bey, muhteşem bir beyaz kuyruksallayan çekimi. 4/4 lük. Elinize sağlık. Hayırlı Bayramlar.
Bahadır

Selamlar Omer Bey.
Muhtesem bir cekim olmus. Kus da guzel. Elinize saglik. Iyi bayramlar.
Merih

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 162 N: 984] (2877)
  • [2008-12-09 4:01]

Hello Omer,
Excellent close capture of this little Wagtail very sharply in focus in the beautiful light. I love its pose against the bright background. Excellent sharpness too and very well framed.
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

Cool looking bird Omer, I like the low POV.
Very good DOF isolating the wagtail in the frame well.
Great details and color, and I like the split color of the BG also :)
Howard

Hi Omer,
that's a wonderful bird, excellent sharpness and colours, very well done, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

I have seen this bird recently, Omer. Actually, there were three of them. When I approached them with my camera, I found I had the wrong lens mounted: 105mm. Anyway, they were shy and flew away quickly. I will give them a try next time with my 70-300mm.
Your picture on the Wagtail here is stunning in terms of its beauty and appeal both technically and aesthetically.
I appreciate the fact that you do not publish a picture on TN unless it is perfect.
Thanks and regards,
Ram

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2008-12-10 4:15]

Hello Omer,
Wonderfully sharp and vivid image of this beautiful species. The details and colors are amazing Omer, thank you for sharing.
Rick

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1726 W: 0 N: 3927] (15770)
  • [2008-12-10 4:51]

Hello Omer,
A very colorful background for this discreet bird with subtle plumage. A picture with excellent sharpness and a simple and efficient composition. I sometimes can see Wagtails next to our river, crossing it from one side to the other.
Thanks for this pleasant posting
Anne

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 519 W: 68 N: 1700] (5384)
  • [2008-12-10 10:13]

Merhaba Omer,
you did a wonderful job in portraying a wagtail. Because of its black and white contrasts it is a challenge to photographers and because you often find it on pebbly beaches it is a challenge for the background color too. But you mastered such difficulties as if they did not exist! Well done, Omer.

Best regards from snowed-in Switzerland

Selam Ömer Bey, renkleri ve kompozisyonu ile muhteşem bir kare. Elinzie sağlık.
Kıbrıs'tan selamlar.
Nazım

Hi Omer,

Thats a beautiful bird with a bright background. I like the focus and shaprness.

Sreya

Merhaba Ömer Bey,
Sıradışı bir kuyruksallayan fotoğrafı, kiremit rengindeki toprak ve koyu mavi gökyüzünün oluşturduğu kontrast ve dar alan netliğindeki başarı dikkat çekiyor.
Tebrikler!
Ersin

Hello Omer,
Excellent shot, very good sharpness and depth of field, beautiful colors, nice catchlight, wonderful details in the plummage and lovely oof background.
well done
Angela

Merhaba Omer,
What a pleasant capture of the W. Wagtail!
I like a lot the warm light and colour saturation here.
You've got plenty of sharp details on the bird's plumage. Dof worked great to properly isolate the subject from the surroundings.
Congratulations and thanks for share.
My best regards,
JM

Pretty bird! Very nice photograph, the subject posed I think!

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2582] (9107)
  • [2008-12-11 19:15]

Hi Omer,
excellent shot.
superbs colour and really brilliant clarity and sharpness.
Splendid phot of the bird in its pensive mood.

Regards,
Foozi

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 545 W: 0 N: 735] (3213)
  • [2008-12-12 0:46]

Merhaba Ömer bey
nefis bir poz olmuş ellerine sağlık.

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2762] (10618)
  • [2008-12-12 9:10]

Renk doygunluğu, netlik ve kompozisyon çok nefis olmuş Ömer bey, ellerinize sağlık, selamlar..

Omer,
I had seen this species in my youth in India.
A GREAT CAPTURE indeed.
Your notes are HIGHLY EDUCATIVE.
GREAT JOB.
Mario from Canada.
P.S. It is very very cold here now; we just got back from Haifa, Israel. Lovely weather there.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2264 W: 10 N: 2633] (15577)
  • [2008-12-12 10:01]

Hola Omer,
buena captura,
cálida iluminación y excelente foco...
saludos

Hello Omer,
good POv of this common and beautiful bird,
TFS, regards. Ferran

  • Great 
  • Rosa Gold Star Critiquer [C: 56 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-12-13 3:38]

Hello Omer,
what a magnificent capture. Stunning colours and details.
Great shot.
Have a wonderful day
Rosa

Hi Omer,
All your pictures are very impressive by their sharpness, colors and composition and this one is no exception. DOF you used makes background looks great! This is a beautiful specie that we don't have here. Well seen and well done!
Claudine

Merhaba Omer,
Selamlah!!
I am still seeing you posting good and quality images of nature till now!
this is also outstanding in closeness, perfect sharpness, good colour and details!
wonderful and informative notes too
greeting
Tony

Doğal renk tonları harika olmuş ,
Tebrikler , bol şanslar .

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 3 N: 30] (506)
  • [2008-12-14 13:38]

merhaba ömer
iki farklı tondan oluşan fonda güzel bir akkuyruksallayan karesi sunmuşsun
poz, bakış açısı ve netlik başarılı
selamlar
izler

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 67 N: 645] (6814)
  • [2008-12-14 23:21]

Bonjour,
Une belle lumière pour un portrait bien net.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hello Omer !
Such a cute little bird, and captured with so much talent - each little detail on the face and feathers are sharp. Composition, POV and pose of the bird are excellent too, and I really love the colors of the BG - dark orange and deep blue-grey, wonderful contrast. Very well done !
Valerie.

Hello Omer,
Another one pretty well done. The shaloow depth of field is effective. Beautiful natural light as well...
TFS
Annick

merhaba Ömer Bey,
nasıl olduysa bu güzeli arada kaçırmışım. sanırım bayram tatilindeyken. elinize sağlık. çok güzel bir çekim. netliği ve açısı gibi, renkleri, fonu ve kadrajı da son derece güzel.
yeni karelerde görüşmek dileğiyle, iyi geceler, selamlar.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-01-02 10:40]

Hi Omer,i like a lot this beautiful wagtail,the details are very perfect and i like a lot too the beautifuls colors of the background,my best compliments,all the best for a great 2009,Luciano

hello Omer

excellent shot of the White Wegtail with fine at the level
of the subject low POV, excellent sharpness and details
of the plumage, excellent contrast of the colours,
the catch-light render the image more beautiful, TFS

Asbed

Hi Omer,
Lovely capture.I liked your model very much.
TFS:)

Merhaba Omer!
What a beautiful capture! I like all elements in this photo! Great DOF, sharpness, vivid and natural colours, good light and contrast! And very informative note too :)
Bravo and I am waiting for more photos like this one! :)
Greetings,
Radomir

Salam Omer.

I can see that you have utilized super fast shutter in getting your image tact sharp. This wagtail is so well framed with exposure executed perfectly in bringing out this superb shallow depth image. Excellent top class image as always and well done indeed.


Best regards and have a wonderful week ahead.
Jusni

I will post a shot from my garden of a similar bird, my dear brother Omer!
This is truly a lovely shot!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hello Omer,
These birds have been fascinating me since my childhood days. I admire your photography skills with superb details & sharpness of the wagtail shot from the ground level POV.
Regards-Subhash

Hello Omer
superb shot of this wagtail, you have captured him with great details and wonderful pose, the colors are very beautiful
very well done
Jacqueline

Hi Ömer,
Fantastic POV, lights, sharpness and especially colors (awesome contrast) are the elements which make this image a perfect one - not to mention excellent composition. Wonderful job MF, bravo.
Best wishes, László

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