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TEXAS souvenir + official state mascot


TEXAS souvenir + official state mascot
Photo Information
Copyright: Gabi Klemm (klemmg) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-10
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500 F/4-6.3 EX HSM, Sigma UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): National Symbols [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-05-21 16:07
Viewed: 2129
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
- This post is dedicated to Antje. Can’t wait to see those photos from Brasil! –

Nine-banded armadillo - Dasypus novemcinctus
(the only species of armadillo in TX!)

Family: Dasypodidae
Order: Edentata
Close Relatives: Sloths, anteaters, bureaucrats
Range: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana through Florida, Mexico, and South America
Average Weight: 7 - 9 lbs
Predators: Bobcats, wolves, coyotes, large trucks

A mammal and distant cousin of the sloth and the anteater, the Armadillo originated in South America and immigrated to Texas by way of Mexico in the 19th. century. Nonetheless, the State of Texas has adopted the armadillo as its official state mascot.

Armadillos have been promoted as a Texas souvenir since the 1890s. Armadillo racing became a popular amusement in Texas during the 1970s. As a result, the animal is strongly associated with Texas. In the late 1970s the Texas legislature voted down attempts to make the armadillo the official state mammal, but in 1981 it was declared the official state mascot by executive decree.

Medical research suggests that people who regularly handle armadillos may be increasing their exposure to Hansen's disease (leprosy). Armadillos have very limited natural immunity to leprosy. For this reason it is illegal to sell a live armadillo in the State of Texas.

Photos taken in the Aransas NWR;
left: ISO 3200, 1/640, f 5.6, 226 mm;
right: ISO 3200, 1/640, f 7.1, 161 mm;

Enjoy!

Sources:
http://www.austinlinks.com/dillo.html

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/AA/tca2.html

http://www.flex.net/~lonestar/armadillo.htm
marhowie, scottevers7, ddg, wallhalla15 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

I love armadillos! These are great Gabi. I love the double framing on this. Great exposures for both images. Well done. :)

Hello Gabi,
Excellent pair of closeups! Very sharp, detailed, and well exposed. Two unique and interesting point of views...You rarely see the underside so well :)
Very well done and Thank You!

Hi Gabi,
An excellent pair of photos on this Armadillo. Great detail and texture in these shots. You just want to reach out and touch them. One of the most unique looking creatures to see. Very cool work here!
Scott

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1552 W: 0 N: 1165] (6442)
  • [2006-05-21 23:16]

Hi Gabi,
Very interesting shot! Great POV and sharp details.
Thanks for sharing!

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 880 W: 23 N: 927] (4993)
  • [2006-05-22 3:54]

Bonjour Gabi, j'adore ces animaux prehistorique!! Very nice composition with two interesting POV. Great sharpness and attitude of this Edentata. Congratulations, Didier.

Excellent pair of shots with wondeful details and colour!

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3070 W: 231 N: 5861] (19714)
  • [2006-05-22 10:45]

Hi Gabi,
So good to see you again.
I love your pair of armadillo shots. They are sooo crisp. The exposure is perfect, and the poses are so adorable.
A wonderful post, and TFS. : )

Hello Gabi,
Lovely post! There's not many of these on TN. They always seems to look a bit weird for me.
Pictures are very interesting. Both have great POV and preety good framing, good details and nice lighting.
It's a great post!
VERY WELL DONE!

Hello Gabi, I like your presentation very much. Excellent composition with very good colours, sharpness, great details and very interesting note too. Very good job. Well done. Thank you for posting.
Gr.
Heinz

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 0 N: 90] (7745)
  • [2006-05-23 17:18]

Hi Gabi
Great shot. Excellent details, sharpnes, colours, DOF and POV. Also good note.
Well done

osse

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