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A TrekNature First


A TrekNature First
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D MKII, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 4, Blue Things III, Dainty birds 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-08-03 17:00
Viewed: 537
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This image of a Lazuli Bunting was taken during a spring snow storm in Waterton. The forecast was for 60cm or 2 feet but we didn't quite get that much. I believe it is a first for TrekNature, please correct me if i am wrong. I would like to dedicate this image to Luis Leal ( Luis52 ) one of the best bird photographers I know.


Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena
>

General Description

By Gustave J. Yaki

Lazuli Buntings breed in western North America from southern British Columbia west to southern Saskatchewan, southward to California and east to New Mexico. In Alberta, they are fairly common mainly in the southwestern foothills along the Sheep and Highwood Rivers, and eastward along the Milk River.

Spring arrival dates are from 20 May through early June. Breeding colonies are in Trembling Aspen groves near Windy Point along the Sheep River and west of the Kananaskis border along Hwy #541 west of Longview. Other local sightings of individual males have been reported for Nose Hill Park in Calgary, Priddis, George Creek Trail west of Millarville and at Longview. Other Alberta observations have been at Lethbridge, Beauvais Lake Prov. Park, Taber, Czar, Elkwater, south side of Cypress Hills, Empress and Sylvan Lake. Numbers appear to fluctuate widely from year to year. All birds seem to vacate the province before the end of August.

Their summer diet is largely one of insects. At other times they include seeds.

Their nest is in a shrub or coarse weed, 0.5 to 1 m, occasionally higher to 3 m. It is coarsely woven of dried grass and lined with fine grasses and hair. The female incubates the usual four eggs for about 12 days. After she feeds them, sometimes with help from the male, they leave the nest when 10-12 days old.
from Weaselhead.org
taba, goatman04, lovenature, Luis52, parasbhalla, Juyona, MMM, eqshannon, goldyrs, Noisette, Miss_Piggy, oanaotilia has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • taba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 481 W: 128 N: 304] (1703)
  • [2009-08-03 17:25]

Hi Rick

I really like the contrast of the blue feathers of the bird and the snow on the tree...
nicely composed and great sharpness.. the 5D works fine here and you to control it with a long lens..
good notes too!
TFS

Taba

Hello Rick,

A great capture of this Lazuli Bunting & a 1st on TN with beautiful coloration, sharpness & fine refreshing details. Beautifully done with nice pose in light snow scene. TFS.

Regards

Umar

Hi Rick
Wow, a rare capture for sure. It's colour is really striking, especially with the snow...good ol Alberta spring weather LOL. Feels like it might snow tonight.
Excellent capture Rick, he's a beauty. I've seen the Lazuli Bunting only twice in 10 years.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-08-03 19:54]

Hola Rick.
Many many thanks for this Present, It is great honor for Me to recibe this fine and beautiful Photo of Lazuli Bunting, which I had never seen before. Lovely and fine pose, excellent colors, the snow make it even better.
I am also Happy You see You here again, Plase say Hi to Lucy for Me.
Saludos
Luis52.

nice-cool pic for the hot summer, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 652 W: 15 N: 1622] (6301)
  • [2009-08-03 21:48]

Hello Rick
Wonderful composition, beautiful bird...excellent!
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2009-08-03 22:19]

Hello Rick,
Nice to see you back on TN and with this beautiful first! Congratulations!
This male Lazuli Bunting looks so spectacular with its striking colours against the spring snow. The pose is great and caught from a fine POV with great sharpness and light management.
Thanks for sharing this beauty Rick!
All the best,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1312] (5642)
  • [2009-08-03 22:49]

what a pretty and colorful bird! :-) never saw one of those before. great capture,
the white snow around really enhances the colors. well done & best wishes, thor.

very pretty bird, well pictures.
well done

cheers
J

Hello Rick,
congratulations, nice to see you back on TN;
splendid picture of the Lazuli Bunting in a very lovely pose, very beautiful contrast of the marvellous colours, well composed.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Hi Rick,

What a splendid shot of this pretty Lazuli Bunting bird....I must say that you have captured a great and a rare moment here!

I like the great contrast between the fresh white snow and the blue dominating color of the bird...it just comes out very well. The sharpness and DOF are nearly perfect from a nice POV. The feather pattern is well shown and the position of the bird is just awesome. Great work!

Thanks for sharing.

best regards,
Paras Bhalla

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2264 W: 10 N: 2633] (15577)
  • [2009-08-04 0:04]

Hola Rick,
excelente cuadro,
precioso plumaje y detalles,
saludos amigo.

Hi Rick!

Very good capture of such a colorful and nice bird. Even the snow has details in it while the wings and eyes also do in the dark parts. TFS!

Best regards,
Andor

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2009-08-04 6:58]

Hi Rick
Another great capture.Beautiful composition,I love the color contrast beetween the Bunting and the snow.Sharp image with beautiful pose from your subject
TFS Michel

You have been holding out:-) wow! Now that is one cooool image...It is now among my favorites Rick..Thanks so much for sharing..
Bob

WOW!
What a shot, Rick!
A real cute bird!
And I really appreciate it tht you've dedicated it to Luis, he's not just a wonderful shot, but one real gem of a man..
Bravo!
Goldy

Hello Rik
a lovely winter scene, this Lazuli bunting have so beautiful colors , he stand out very well against the snow and grey BG
And congratulations for a first on TN
Have agood night
Jacqueline

Hallo Rick
This is really a smacker, not only is the colours of this bird’s plumage truly awesome, the scene is just wow!. I really fancy this bird, as it is perfectly shaped and ever so beautiful. Your presentation is spot on, with great sharpness and focus and pleasant to look at.It stole my heart for beauty. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Anna

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