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Danse de l'Amour


Danse de l'Amour
Photo Information
Copyright: Evelynn Smith (Evelynn) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2076 W: 714 N: 3063] (13499)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 30D, Canon 300mm f2.8 + 2.xII extender, @ ISO 200
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-13 11:40
Viewed: 554
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This another shot of a sandhill crane engaged in the mating dance ritual. The extremely late spring made it possible to get the shot with a snowy backdrop which helped to isolate the bird from the background.



SANDHILL CRANE FACTS:

• Sandhill cranes stand between three and four feet tall, weigh five to eight pounds, and have a wing span of six feet.
• Both sexes of adult cranes look alike. The reddish-brown color that some exhibit is the result of preening with beaks covered with iron-rich mud that stain their feathers.
• Cranes mate for life and often pair when they are three to six years old. Cranes do not compete for the same mate and sometimes have a lengthy courtship. Cranes eyes do not meet during courtship.
• A young sandhill crane is called a colt. It grows at a rate of approximately an inch a day, reaching full size in nine weeks. They are orange-brown in color for most of their first year, lack a red crown, and make a whistling call.
• Sandhill cranes can live to the age of 25 years in the wild and longer in captivity. One crane at the Washington Zoo lived to be 55 years old!
• Cranes utilize an elongated windpipe to produce "Crane Music." Their harmonious "bugling" and "trumpeting" sounds are actually distinctive calls to communicate with each other.
• Cranes have much better hearing and sight capabilities than humans.

CRANE LORE:
• Cranes are the oldest living bird species and have the longest successful tenure on earth, about sixty million years. They are truly "emissaries from a distant age."
• Sandhill cranes probably get their name from the sandhills of Florida where they were first described by John James Audubon.
• Cranes are considered the most accomplished dancers in the animal kingdom

http://www.cranemeadows.org/crane.htm
eqshannon, tuslaw, Jamesp, albert, cataclysta, Ken52, CeltickRanger, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

What gorgeous geometry Evelynn. this angle is something out of Buckminster Fuller days...and of course it just happens to be spot on sharp as well...Did you know a gymnasium built for Cleveland State University, using fullers geometry, caved in under a heavy snow storm in Cleveland? Just an interesting note..not sure why I mention it..
Bob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1800 W: 29 N: 5223] (17114)
  • [2008-07-13 19:52]

Hi Evelynn,
Just marking this wonderful shot, I will be back with a proper critique.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 12 N: 715] (2354)
  • [2008-07-13 20:46]

Great shot Evelynn,
The stopped action and detail almost look like a painting. I like the different angle you chose to post, it gives a whole new perspective to your image. Wonderful notes as always!!
Ron

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1297 W: 0 N: 5080] (15138)
  • [2008-07-13 22:29]

Hi Evelynn

Nice shot of this crane - the pose of the wings is really good and I like the fine detail you have captured in the feathers.

JAmes

Hello Evelynn,
Very nice pose and good exposure giving excellent details on the feathers
TFS
Kind regards
Albert

Love the spread wingspan.The area you took these also is a very nice backdrop for composition.
Thanks for your workshop.
I have seen 8 of these at one time in the location I go to.
Always a treat to see.
Careful though.
TFS
Doug

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1064 W: 26 N: 3196] (11459)
  • [2008-07-15 8:07]

Hi Evelynn,
i'm suprised this hasn't recieved more attention and comment, it's a wonderful shot. The DOF is perfect and the clarity and tonal quality of the feathers is outstanding. Your timing is also very well done, as is the composition. Great work, love the setting too.
tfs
Paul

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1422 W: 127 N: 5219] (23113)
  • [2008-07-16 10:29]

Hello Evelynn, a very artistic pose from the subject, the details in the feathers are incredibly sharp, well done again, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 663 W: 98 N: 1262] (4185)
  • [2008-07-16 22:56]

Well captured nature scene. I have seen the Blue Herons do this and it is fascinating to watch. Exposure and details are outstanding. Nice composition and interesting note.

Hi Evelynn
Very simple in color but very interesting. Great contrast, nice moment. Nice 3 dimensional view. I like it very much
Best wishes
Krzysztof

PS Also good note

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-17 8:34]

Hello Evelynn

This is a wonderful capture of this disply.
The dance is super,the detail is excellent.
You had an excellent vantage point.
Very good pov and dof.
Well done.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 515 W: 8 N: 1134] (4174)
  • [2008-07-17 13:20]

Hello Evelynn,
Very impressive capture! The Sandhill Crane is well presented,
very sharp, and well composed, although would be better to
see his face .. Beautiful dance move
..Well done

Everton

hello Evelynn

excellent shot of the mating dance ritual, fine POV
the bird from his back showing the wonderful plumage
with excellent sharpness and details, also fine DOF and framing,

TFS

Asbed

Hi Evelynn
excellent shot
wonderful wings
well done
regards

Hello Evelynn. This is really brilliant shot at 300mmFL with extender. The shallow depth works to your advantage with sharp details of the subject pops out of the frame. well done and best regards. Jusni

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