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Oystercatchers at work


Oystercatchers at work
Photo Information
Copyright: Michel Detay (M_Detay) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 12 W: 0 N: 107] (522)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D2X, Nikkor ED 400mm 1/2.8 D
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/360 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-11-20 1:55
Viewed: 823
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Oystercatchers - Haematopus ostralegus on the shore of Maria Island in Tasmania.

The oystercatchers are a group of waders; they form the family Haematopodidae, which has a single genus, Haematopus. They are large obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
In some species, the bill shape varies according to the diet. Those birds with blade-like bill tips prise open or smash mollusc shells, and those with pointed bill tips tend to probe for annelid worms.
They are found on coasts worldwide apart from the polar regions. They are all-black, black and white or brown and white in appearance.


By calling to other oystercatchers they join together to mob predators like crows and gulls. They are adept at breaking into mussels by smashing them with their beak. Interestingly, each oystercatcher uses a specific technique to crack into shells, which is learned from its parents. Oystercatchers are noisy, excitable yet wary birds. They fly low over the shore and sea, and are active and noisy in the night. On prime coastlines they flock in hundreds during the winter.
Kathleen, darwin has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Michel.
Sharp and great detail on the first one,with the other starting to fall out of the plane of focus, but still has good detail. If you had used the light coming in on them rather than behind them you would have better light on them for feather detail and the eyes and beak really glow red, this way you are on the shadowed side. For that though you have done well getting detail on them and of course the second one has the sun on him so you can see eye colour and feather detail better.
For this composition I do enjoy the sparkling surf behind them, just as you would see on a sunny day, nicely done.
Kathleen

Hi Detay
Nice composition
Good sharpness and detail on
both birds,and a lovely glistening background
tfs jon

Hi Michel,

Good shot of there Oystercatchers - I tried getting picture a few weekends ago, but just ended up walking up and down the beach not getting any closer to them - so hats off for getting such a good image.

Kind regards,

Mike

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