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Last Straw


Last Straw
Photo Information
Copyright: Silke Force (Silke) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-09-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700
Exposure: f/7.4
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-07-31 7:42
Viewed: 1019
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Please note that the following photographer's notes are incorrect. Thanks to Ivan Kruys (Argus), it has been correctly identified as a Sanderling.
I have not removed the notes as the secondary subject is pollution which continues to be a problem for both the Snowy Plover and the Sanderling.
For notes on the Sanderling, please see here.
Thank you,
Silke Force, September 06, 2007

The snowy plover is the smallest and whitest of the North American plovers, standing only 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) high. It lives on small crustaceans, soft invertebrates and small insects, looking like it’s chasing waves in and out as it forages for its food.
Western snowy plovers nest on open sandy beaches, with their nests a mere scrape in the sand. The birds and their nests go unseen or ignored by the thousands of people sunbathing, hiking or driving dune buggies on the beaches. An adult snowy plover scurries away when its nest is approached, and it may be hours before the bird can return. In the meantime, its eggs might have been crushed or become overheated in the sun. Loss of breeding sites, along with predation by animals like foxes, has led to a serious decline in the snowy plover population. Prior to 1970, snowy plovers in California bred at 53 coastal locations. Since then, no evidence of breeding birds has been found at 33 of these 53 sites. The U.S. Wildlife Service has declared the western snowy plover threatened.
These birds, both males and females, defend their nest territories from other plovers by posturing, chasing or fighting. During some fights, a bird may grab its enemy’s tail with its bill, pull on its feathers and at the same time turn in circles. Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation
The title of the picture might also tell you that pollution is a problem for these little creatures as it is for all of us (and the straw in the picture is an irritant as well).
PP: crop, resize sharpen
ramthakur, jmp, pablominto, scottevers7, jeanpaul, valy67, SkyF, PDP has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: Sanderling - ploverSilke 2 02-27 11:13
To Shoot_Score: Your WSSilke 1 02-27 05:05
To PDP: Thank you for the suggestionSilke 1 08-06 09:36
To jeanpaul: ThanksSilke 1 07-31 22:50
To scottevers7: surf birdsSilke 1 07-31 22:49
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Critiques [Translate]

Beautiful image, Silke.
Very good POV, sharpness and colors.
You have written a good note on the species including the hazards it faces from pollution and human intereference.
TFS.

Hello Silke, excllent colors, Bg, POV DOF Perfect details, Nice Job TFS kyle

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1740 W: 95 N: 2273] (8411)
  • [2006-07-31 8:33]

Hi Silke,
Very clear shot, with a good sharpness, details and color. Bad numbers about polution! What has happened in theses 33 coasts?
Best regards, José M.

Hi Silke,
Pleasant composition!
Bird at work, nicely captured... Good details and fine natural colours...
Funny story, didn't know the xcan actually harm each other in marking territory!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 755 W: 31 N: 20] (5032)
  • [2006-07-31 13:41]

Hi Silke,
interesting bird, good note. I like the sharpness and colours also. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

Hi Silke,
A nice shot on this Snowy Plover. The colors and detail look excellent due to the spot on exposure. I love to sit and watch them run the surf line. Nice shot!
Scott

Bonjour Silke
Une excellente photo avec ce bel oiseau en quête de nourriture,,les couleurs sont justes et parfaitements exposées ainsi que les détails.. Félicitations pour la belle composition ainsi que ta belle note..

Merci et bravo...JP

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-08-01 0:31]

Hi Silke

Excellent capture of this lovely little shorebird.Very interesting notes.TFS


Rob

Hi Silke !
This is a cute little bird ! Sharpness, details, colors and composition are excellent, and the sand of the beach makes a beautiful BG. You wrote a very interesting note. well done !
valérie.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-08-01 15:47]

Hallo Silke,
wonderful shot, very nice POV and sharp details.Colors and presentation are very nice . Thanks for the excellent note.
Sky

  •      
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2006-08-03 18:08]
  • [+]

Hello Silke, this is a very nice looking bird and you've captured it scavenging which is good. If I could make a suggestion it would be to try and get down to the same level as your subject. This will give the viewer a more intimate view and will give your shot more impact. Well done.

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 6 N: 391] (1893)
  • [2007-02-08 15:35]

Hi Silke!
Interesting and cute motive in your work, great colors and POV ,nice details, nicely composed and captured photo. Lovely work!

This certainly is an enjoyable reminder of a warmer season!
When the plovers are at the floodline and scurry along scouring it for small morsels. I like the compo with the debris at the diagonal and the PoV where we look at the busy plover. I think the photo has a lil bit of a dark ue. So I tried a WS. Hope you will agree with the brightening. Tfs, Jay

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3821 W: 190 N: 11376] (35063)
  • [2007-02-27 10:55]
  • [+]

Hello Silke,
Thank you for your kind comments on my Golden Plover post.
You made me curious when you mentioned the Snowy Plover in your critique. This is a fine well composed and sharp shot both of the wader and the habitat.
However I have to inform you that this is not the Snowy Plover. It is a Sanderling, A bird that I am very familiar with in Europe.
I would have let you know earlier, but you posted this before I strated on TN.
The wrong name does not detract from the quality of this shot and for that I say well done!
Best wishes, Ivan

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