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The Birds & The Bridges


The Birds & The Bridges
Photo Information
Copyright: Jim Pinkham (jpinkham) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 80 W: 4 N: 146] (661)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-11-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: HP Photosmart 945
Exposure: f/3.1, 1/272 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-11-02 19:58
Viewed: 946
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I saw a spectacle so unusual (at least, in my experience) this morning that I'm doing something I've never considered before, posting different views on all three Treks. I don't think I'm breaking any rules here because each has a different perspective and a different purpose. Here it's very much a serious image about nature.

I’ve seen birds swarm over bridges in Wisconsin enough in recent months to wonder if there’s a scientific connection – a special attraction? It turns out that there is. Bridges are a “habitat structure” that can appeal to wildlife “as a place to rest, a place to feed, or a place to raise their young,” according to Virginia wildlife officials. There’s a fascinating article on one state site titled “Wildlife and Bridges”. Take a peek if you’re curious.

Meanwhile, back to Wisconsin and **these** birds: Hundreds of thousands of Canada geese pass through Wisconsin each year as they voyage to and fro along the Mississippi Flyway, and the Fox River, along with most of East Central Wisconsin is one key artery of said route. October and November are peak times for the traffic, though some come earlier and stay later.

Although the geese are just starting the day here, when they come in their trademark V-formation, they may have traveled as far as the 850-mile, 16-hour flight from Hudson's Bay in a single day, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
During the day, they blanket local farmlands for feeding and then regroup in the rivers, wetlands, and marshes at night. They may travel as far south as Kentucky and Tennessee before returning on their northward circuit in February and March. Many stay in Wisconsin year-round, or until their roost sites freeze over and their food supply gets snowed under.

Although geared toward youngsters, the WDNR's environmental education site offers a very informative page about these birds in Wisconsin.

On the technical side, no PP on this except sizing and sharpening.
Finland_in_Eton, eqshannon, Janice has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marieproue: The Birds & The Bridgesjpinkham 1 11-08 19:25
To jignasi: The Birds & The Bridgesjpinkham 1 11-08 19:24
To Finland_in_Eton: Birds and Bridgesjpinkham 1 11-03 05:35
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Critiques [Translate]

Excellent ! Love the golden colors and the way everything is silhouetted. Lovely detail, great subject matter. Interesting notes as well. Well done !

TFS, Mish

Two treats for the price of one!! Birds in flight and in rest. What a neat capture it is Jim. And two different perspectives in the fore. Very well done my friend.
Boob

Hello Jim,
I have never seen so many geese at the same time. From where I live, I see them flying in formations on their departure and arrival but never flying this messy way. This is an interesting moment to witness from another POV :) Well seen!
Claudine

Hola Jim, primero muchas gracias por tus
amables comentarios.
Tu foto encantadora con un excelente primer
plano y un cielo interesante.
Buenos y bonitos tonos del conjunto. Supongo
que por el pueste no te la votan mucho, ya que
siemmpre que hay este tipo de elementos "humanos" se suele votar poco .
Un abrazo desde españa y que tengas un buen Domingo: J. Igasi

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2007-11-04 2:10]

Very interesting notes to read Jim. And look at all those birds - what a busy time for them.
I love the colours of the early morning light - well captured
Janice

PS You can post similar photos on the 3 trek sites, as long as they are all different...

Magnifique, très impressionnnat, les couleurs sont superbes et la scène est extraordinaire.
Merci
Marie

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