<< Previous Next >>

Clark's Nutcracker


Clark's Nutcracker
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Vincent (earthtraveler) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 443 W: 129 N: 963] (3529)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ50
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-07-28 10:17
Viewed: 937
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Clark's Nutcracker
Nucifraga columbiana
Order PASSERIFORMES - Family CORVIDAE

A bird of the high mountain regions of the American West, the Clark's Nutcracker is specialized for feeding on large pine seeds. Its behavior, annual cycle, and even its morphology are closely tied to this diet.

Description
• Large songbird.
• Gray all over.
• Black wings and tail, with white patches.
• Long, stout, pointed black bill.
• Size: 27-30 cm (11-12 in)
• Weight: 106-161 g (3.74-5.68 ounces)

Sex Differences
Sexes alike in plumage, but males average slightly larger.

Sound
Sharp, rapid, grating "kraaks."

Conservation Status
Populations fluctuate, but may be increasing in some areas. Declining pine species in some areas may lead to reduction in nutcracker numbers.

Other Names
Cassenoix d'Amérique (French)
Cascanueces Americano (Spanish)

Cool Facts
• The Clark's Nutcracker has a special pouch under its tongue that it uses to carry seeds long distances. The nutcracker harvests seeds from pine trees and takes them away to hide them for later use.
• The Clark's Nutcracker hides thousands and thousands of seeds each year. Laboratory studies have shown that the bird has a tremendous memory and can remember where to find most of the seeds it hides.
• The Clark's Nutcracker feeds its nestlings pine seeds from its many winter stores (caches). Because it feeds the young on stored seeds, the nutcracker can breed as early as January or February, despite the harsh winter weather in its mountain home.
• The Clark's Nutcracker is one of very few members of the crow family where the male incubates the eggs. In jays and crows, taking care of the eggs is for the female only. But the male nutcracker actually develops a brood patch on its chest just like the female, and takes his turn keeping the eggs warm while the female goes off to get seeds out of her caches.

Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
All About Birds - website

I've opted to not clean up the BG noiise in favor of retaining the feather detail. If anyone want to WS this image and show be how you can keep feather detail and clean up BG noise please do. Thanks

Thank you all for taking a look and sharing your thoughts. Richard
nglen, eqshannon, livios, Necipp, Proframe, jhm, Kathleen, JORAPAVI, mikou has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To livios: Your workshop of my Clark's Nutcrackerearthtraveler 2 07-28 22:24
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2007-07-28 10:32]

Hi Richard,
Splendid shot of this Nutcracker with sharp details on its plumage and superb exposure. Among the greens it looks majestic. Very neat focus and the lighting is perfect. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2906 W: 34 N: 8606] (32074)
  • [2007-07-28 10:33]

Hi Richard. A very good shot of the Nutcracker. a bird we do not have in England. you have captured it with good detail and colour. a nice POV. well done TFS. good notes too
Nick..

Then feather features are indeed good and the fir/pin needles are so clear I can smell them. A good sign.

Bob

Richard, perfect exposure and sharpness.

I like composition and pov too. Great note.

I tried a workshop.

Hi Richard. This is a beautiful bird. You have a nice background to display him as well. I wish they were in my area. Nice shot!

Nice catch, Richard! I've always wanted to see one of these, but I guess I don't spend enough time in the upper elevations. Excellent exposure and feather detail.

Hi Richard,
A very good capture of this nutcraker!
I like so much the profile pose got, it which we can enjoy plenty of sharp details on the plumage.
It's very good the composition made with the branches and the background.
Well done and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

Hello Richard a nice side view and a fine pose good sharpness and detail in the feathers nice composition, exposure and light was nice tfs rgds Necip

Hello Richard,
What a wonderful clear image of this nutcracker.
Sharpness, lighting and composition are spot on while feather details and color contrast are wonderful.
Excellent work.
Thanks for sharing and the great note.
Have a nice Sunday,
Harry

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 649 W: 0 N: 178] (628)
  • [2007-07-29 0:01]

Hello Richard,

This bird is my unknown, see we not in Belgium.
A very good shot of the Nutcracker a nice side view and a fine pose good sharpness and detail in the feathers nice composition, also the pine tree is very nice.

Best regards,
John.

Hi Richard
Wonderful image, superb exposure, DOF, detail and colour. Awesome

Kathleen
New Zealand

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-07-29 7:32]

Hi Richard,

A beautiful capture of the Clark's Nutcracker. I was hoping to see one on a trip to the national parks but no luck. I love the pose on the fir tree. The colors are beautiful and the details are very good.


Jane

Hola Richard,
Preciosa imagen de bella composición, excelente nitidez y textura, bonito posadero, Un cordial saludo
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 840 W: 67 N: 1311] (5269)
  • [2007-07-29 9:31]

Hi Richard.
This is really beautiful capture.I like him very much his pose and composition with great posture on branch of spruce.Exposure and focus are excellent with sharp details and very nice colors.And POV/DOF is very good too.Superb done.
TFS,with greeting Milos.

I also use a Panasonic camera for some of my work. There I times when it just can't be beaten. This is one of them. Fantastic sharpness despite the bit of noise. Noise is the one major drawback of that camera. It likes good light. By using adjustment layers you could apply a noise filter and "erase" selectively to leave the bird as it is.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Hello Richard,
Verry well done, this bird is wonderfull, the BG, the colors, the sharpness, all is perfect
a great cheer,
friendly,
Pat

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3316 W: 149 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2007-07-30 0:56]

Hi Richard, this is a nice portrait of this Clark's Nutcracker. I have never seen one before. The colours and details are good, and he looks great pearched on teh furttree. Well seen.
Janice

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF