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Cedar Waxwing


Cedar Waxwing
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Alex99 favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-25 5:50
Viewed: 635
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Another shot of the Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum, 18 cm) this time picking a fruit a few weeks ago in the Parc Nature Pointe-aux-Prairies in Montreal.


The Cedar Waxwing is one of the most frugivorous birds in North America. Many aspects of its life, from its nomadic habits to its late breeding season, may be traced to its dependence upon fruit.
Description
Medium-sized songbird.
Gray-brown overall.
Crest on top of head.
Black mask edged in white.
Yellow tip to tail; may be orange.
Size: 14-17 cm (6-7 in)
Wingspan: 22-30 cm (9-12 in)
Weight: 32 g (1.13 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes nearly alike.
Sound
Calls are very high pitched "bzeee" notes.
Conservation Status
Populations increasing throughout range. You can help scientists learn more about this species by participating in the Celebrate Urban Birds! project.
Other Names
Jaseur d' Amérique (French)
Ampelis Americano, Picotera, Chinito (Spanish)
Cool Facts
The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red appendages found in variable numbers on the tips of the secondaries of some birds. The exact function of these tips is not known, but they may serve a signaling function in mate selection.
Cedar Waxwings with orange instead of yellow tail tips began appearing in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada beginning in the 1960s. The orange color is the result of a red pigment picked up from the berries of an introduced species of honeysuckle. If a waxwing eats the berries while it is growing a tail feather, the tip of the feather will be orange.
The Cedar Waxwing is one of the few temperate dwelling birds that specializes in eating fruit. It can survive on fruit alone for several months. Unlike many birds that regurgitate seeds from fruit they eat, the Cedar Waxwing defecates fruit seeds.
The Cedar Waxwing is vulnerable to alcohol intoxication and death after eating fermented fruit.

pekkavalo1, earthtraveler, CeltickRanger, sranjan, jaycee, eqshannon, Alex99, gerbilratz, nglen, Islander_, Luis52, maurydv, Argus, mariki, boreocypriensis, albert, NinaM, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mario,

Very nice capture of Waxwing having a meal. Excellent composition, colours and detail. Good work.

Thanks for sharing

Pekka

Hi Mario,
The detail here of the fine feathers is incredible. The soft light, color, pose with berry, and BG are all super. Fine work once again. Tfs Richard

salut Mario

encore une très belle photo avec cet excellent piqué,
excellent POV , excellent DOF, belle densité des couleurs
et la photo prise à un beau moment, TFS

Asbed

Hey Mario,
very nice shot of this beautyful bird. This bird is one of my favorits. In Switzerland we have invasions from north europe about every 7 years only. Last time in january 2005 they came in big flocks.
regards
Pierre

Vow Mario! It's amazing to see a sharp picture like this :) Cheers.
Regards-Ranjan

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-03-25 8:31]

Hi Mario,

Wonderful Cedar Waxwing with the fruit in his mouth. Details are super sharp and colors are beautiful. You always capture them in wonderful poses and present lovely compositions.

Jane

If I didn't already have too many favorite pics, this would go right int he album...This one here is a special one for you Mario...but I suspect you knew...you are the guy with the bird shots...
Bob

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3174 W: 154 N: 4796] (15481)
  • [2008-03-25 9:54]

Hi Mario.
Absolutely outstanding by subject and quality picture. First of all the scene is amazing and timing is perfect. I also like wonderful tree branch pattern and fine colourful smooth BG. Plumage of the bird is reproduced with highest details. Bravo. Superb job.
Alexei.

Hello Mario,
Excellent illumination and colors. Good moemnt as well...
Very good filled frame.
Well done
TFS
Annick

Hello Mario, Excellent, there is timing, and there is perfect timing, this is perfect! I could wait a lifetime for a shot as good as this, tight, well focused and sharp. really excellent. TFS regards h

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-03-25 13:21]

Hi Mario. My daughter is stood behind me and said before she saw your name thats a Mario shot. Once again fine detail and colours. this is a bird i have yet to see .well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2108 W: 6 N: 2116] (13589)
  • [2008-03-25 13:43]

Hola amigo,
hermosa captura,
iluminación, foco y pose...
agradables detalles.
saludos Mario.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-03-25 13:47]

!!!!! Cest incroyable mais tu es encore capable de nous sourprendre!!! Merveilleuse photo et moment pour la faire,je sais plus quoi dire.c'est simplement exceptionelle!! Merci de partager,Luciano

Bonsoir Mario,

Un instant magnifique bien saisi! Félicitations,

merci,

Eugène

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-03-25 14:54]

Hola Mario.
I always be facinated by this birds, they have a beautiful colors and they are very friendly, and give chance to catch in a good photo like this one.
Excellent Photo My friend
Luis52.

Splendida immagine, eccellente momento di cattura, ottimi POV e DOF, bellissima la composizione ambientata con i punti di forza sull'occhio ed il becco, sempre perfetta la nitidezza e grande ricchezza di dettagli e di sfumature tonali nei magnifici colori: Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Oh Boy!!! *sigh** Jealousy is rearing it ugly head here... so I bid you adieu for today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Evelynn : ) : ) : ) : )

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984] (24857)
  • [2008-03-26 1:16]

Hello Mario,
This is superb! The timing of this capture of a Cedar Waxwing is great to show its open beak taking a berry. This is up to your high standard of sharpness and lighting and the composition among the branches is excellent despite the interference by one twig.
Thanksfor sharing this great capture,
Ivan

Bonjour Mario,

Encore une parfaite photo. Très bon timing. Excellent focus sur l'oiseaut. Très belle lumière et couleurs.
Bonne journée,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-03-26 2:41]

Very nice image Mario!
The plumage of this Waxwing is so smooth and soft.
Super-sharp with excellent detail.
I love the original pose and the berry in mid-air.
Nice muted colours and perfect light.
The twig going diagonally across the bird is a bit distracting but it can't be helped.
Well done my friend.

Cheers,
Joe

Hello Mario,
Stunning amd perfect shot of this beutifully coloured Cedar Waxwing in feeding. TFS my friend.
Regards,
Bayram

Hi Mario, elegant bird in lovely pose, splendid colors, fine details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, Happy Easter, ciao Silvio

Bonjour Mario
Superbe photo de ce beau Waxwing, rien d'autre a dire c'est parfait
Cordialement
Albert

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 0 N: 1623] (5300)
  • [2008-03-26 13:07]

Bonjour Mario, Master of Light. Je suis impressionnée par cette photo, car la qualité de la lumière et la beauté des couleurs sont fantastiques. Merci!

Francine

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-27 7:42]

Hello Mario

Down the hatch!
A super capture of this beautiful cedar waxwing.They are so elegant looking.They seem to be very photogenic.
Lovely lighting and colours.
The composition is great.
TFS

Rob

Bonjour Mario,

Une belle image rapprochée de ce jaseur d'amérique sur la branche, la prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs de l'oiseau. Le sujet est bien cadré. La lumière rehausse les couleurs. Bonne journée.

Pierre

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