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Going to Arctic


Going to Arctic
Photo Information
Copyright: Francine Malo (NinaM) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 0 N: 1623] (5300)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Leica V Lux1
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-10 7:17
Viewed: 485
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bonjour tout le monde! My posting from Ile Verte today shows the most beautiful little birds, Semipalmated Plovers, with a Sandpiper.

We had been watching those flocks of birds flying on the south shore of the island, by the hundreds, wondering what species they were. They would fly like sardines in the ocean, quick and bright at times, following an instinct we could not perceive. I presume they are among the last migrators to spend time on the shores of the island.

On the distance they all looked alike but looking closer we could differentiate two species: the Semipalmated Plover and a species of Sandpiper that I cannot specify.

Their sounds are wonderful and watching them was a real pleasure. Walking along the beach, suddenly a small explosion of birds leaving... we could get close to them without seeing them and suddenly they would go.

While the sun is very bright (it was close to noon) I like this picture very much where you can see those cuties sunbathing... waiting for a silent signal to leave the estuary to their nesting destination, somewhere in Arctic.

Migration really fascinate me with its mystery, this back and forth movement of birds coming from an unknown place and going to another one. Whereas one catches a furtive glimpse of their lives, beauty standing on its own and totally free. I hope you enjoy!

Francine
ISO 100
Saturation added, sharpening and noise reduction
Full frame
Resized for TN


From the CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY and the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION.

Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
– Family
CHARADRIIDAE

Introduction

A small, common shorebird similar in appearance to its Eurasian counterpart, the Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), the Semipalmated Plover generally nests in open sites near sub-arctic lakes, marshes, and rivers. A few populations are found south of the sub-Arctic in north temperate regions. This species is socially and most often genetically monogamous, and both sexes actively care for eggs and their precocial chicks. A medium- to long-distance migrant, it winters mainly in marine habitats, rarely inland. The Semipalmated Plover is among the few plovers whose numbers are apparently increasing, perhaps owing to its versatility in food and habitat choice, its wide-spread coastal winter distribution, or its habitat expansion in the sub-Arctic as a result of disturbance by both humans and arctic geese.

The open habitat and relatively tame nature and ease of capture of this species make it ideal for study on its breeding grounds. From Churchill, Manitoba, detailed long-term information is available on its breeding phenology, behavior, and population structure (Nol et al. 1997, Sullivan Blanken and Nol 1998, Flynn et al. 1999). Some comparative data are also available from a disjunct population of plovers nesting on the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia (Cooper and Miller 1997).

Because this species generally occurs in smaller and more dispersed flocks than do other shorebirds, it has rarely been the focus of migration studies. Detailed studies of its winter distribution will be important in establishing global population sizes of this widely dispersed species.
boreocypriensis, Art_R, Argus, Luis52, eqshannon, Jamesp, CeltickRanger, MMM has marked this note useful
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To eqshannon: PloversNinaM 1 06-10 13:34
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Francine,
Superb capture of these migrating Semipalmated Plovers with lovely details, nice DOF and POV. Your capture also a splendid landcape shot my friend! TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 201 W: 16 N: 483] (1995)
  • [2008-06-10 7:58]

Hi Francine , a nice photograph of these two different shore birds , the colors of the water and mossy rocks adds a lot to the composition, TFS
regards
Art

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984] (24857)
  • [2008-06-10 9:22]

Hello Francine,
A fine composition in this presentation of a flock of Semi-palmated Plovers and a Pectoral Sandpiper The shape of the rock together with the blue water and green algae as well as the distribution of the waders make this a joy to view and thanks for sharing this fine image,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-06-10 9:51]

Hola Francine.
Me agrada mucho la bella foto de hoy. Es muy natural en su medio ambiente. Luz, colores y nitidez de alto nivel.
Saludos
Luis52.

Wow....The Plovers have a lot in common or at look a bit like the Kildeer...somewhat..slightly different in behavior but some similarities..Nice good clean crisp photo.
Bob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-06-10 14:15]

Hi Francine

Lovely shot showing these birds in their habitat. Good DOF and focus plus great colour.

James

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
  • [2008-06-10 15:01]

Bonjour Francine, superbe photo de ces oiseaux de rivages bien en évidence près des rochers et du bleu de l'eau, bien vue et très bien fait. Merci!

Mario

I do not know how to critique this shot, Fancine, after all, there has to be something which is out of the ordinairy, apart from being soothing to the eye...If there is, then this shot it is...
Very well composed and beautifully sharp.
Goldy

bonjour Francine

belle image de ces oiseaux de rivages, j'aimes ton POV,
excellent DOF avec les vagues de l'arrière-plan,
j'aimes surtout la couleur de l'eau, excellente netteté
et détails de l'image, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1068 W: 26 N: 3206] (11487)
  • [2008-06-11 7:49]

Hi Francine,
i have missed so many of your shots in my absence! This one, the latest, i like alot. It is an interesting mix of landscape and wildlife, with the green of the seaweed adding just the right amount of extra colour. Great natural moment, well done!
Paul

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 787 W: 0 N: 1581] (7260)
  • [2008-06-11 9:34]

Salut Francine
Jolie composition.J'aime bien le pDV.L'image est bien en focus avec de superbe couleur.
Merci Michel

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