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Killdeer


Killdeer
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930] (20016)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-10-22
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/50 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-06-21 2:29
Viewed: 725
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I know the focus is a bit soft here, but I rather like the feel of it.
Together with the colors in the water, it looks like a water color. : P

Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus

Pluvier kildir (French)
Playero sabanero, Chorlito tildio (Spanish)

The most widespread and familiar of the American plovers, the Killdeer is a common bird in farmyards, fields, and parking lots. Although many species of birds pretend to have a broken wing to lure predators from their nest, the Killdeer is the one most commonly seen performing this distraction display.

• The Killdeer is one of the most successful shorebirds because of its fondness for human modified habitats and its willingness to nest close to people. Because they live so close to people, however, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and collisions with cars and buildings.

• Gravel rooftops attract Killdeer for nesting, but can be dangerous places to raise a brood. Chicks may be unable to leave a roof because of high parapets and screened drain openings. When adults lure chicks off the roof, the chicks may die from the fall. However, some chicks have been observed leaping from a seven-story building and surviving.

• The broken-wing act used to lead predators from the nest would not keep a cow or horse from stepping on the eggs. To guard against large hoofed animals, the Killdeer uses a quite different display, fluffing itself up, displaying its tail over its head, and running at the beast to attempt to make it change its path.

This shot was taken at the Monterey Bay Aquarium aviary.

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loot, liquidsunshine has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Manyee,

I agree that the focus is a bit soft, but I still really like the picture. It has a nice feel. Well done.

Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5747 W: 606 N: 3505] (9407)
  • [2006-06-21 10:06]

Hi Manyee
Tough lighting conditions forced a very large aperture of f/3.5 which obviously played a major role in the softness. However, the look and the 'feel' of the photo is quite rightly something else. It almost has a water painting look too it and that made it quite nice and acceptable.
Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Good detail, colours and the soft focus gives a good effect. exposure and lighting are good. Good POV and composition. Nicely framed.

Thanks for posting, enjoy the rest of the week.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1648 W: 79 N: 1438] (4742)
  • [2006-06-22 18:09]

Hi Manyee,

Focus looks really soft, like you wrote yourself and I think that's a shame as it's would have been a very nice picture otherwise. Good POV and well composed. TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

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