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~Dusky Moorhen~


~Dusky Moorhen~
Photo Information
Copyright: Debbie Linkevics (deblink) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 338 W: 8 N: 383] (1256)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-12
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi, Canon Ef 90-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-08-12 18:54
Viewed: 900
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This image was captured at the Lockleys Wetlands on the weekend. I took a very early morning stroll when visiting my sister it was just delightful.

Dusky Moorhen
Scientific name: Gallinula tenebrosa
Family: Rallidae
Order: Gruiformes

Description
The Dusky Moorhen is a medium-sized, dark grey-black water bird with a white undertail. It has a red bill with a yellow tip and a red facial shield. Young birds are much duller and browner than adults, with a greenish bill and face shield.

Facts and figures
Research Species: No
Minimum size: 34 cm
Maximum size: 38 cm
Average size: 36 cm
Breeding season: August to March
Clutch size: 5 to 18, usually from more than one female.
Incubation: 24 days
Time in nest: 28 days

Distribution
The Dusky Moorhen is found from Indonesia through New Guinea to Australia. It is widespread in eastern and south-western Australia, ranging from Cooktown to eastern South Australia and in the southern corner of Western Australia.

Habitat
The Dusky Moorhen is found in wetlands, including swamps, rivers, and artificial waterways. It prefers open water and water margins with reeds, rushes and waterlilies, but may be found on grasses close to water such as parks, pastures and lawns.

Feeding
The Dusky Moorhen feeds in the water and on land on algae, water plants and grasses, as well as seeds, fruits, molluscs and other invertebrates. It will also eat carrion (dead animals) and the droppings of other birds. It does not dive when feeding; its tail is always visible above the water when upended.

Breeding
During breeding season, the Dusky Moorhen forms breeding groups of two to seven birds, with all members defending territory, building nests and looking after young. The shallow platform nests are made of reeds and other water plants over water, among reeds or on floating platforms in open water. Two or more females will lay their eggs in the same nest and all members of the group help to incubate the eggs and feed the young.

Living with humans
The Dusky Moorhen has been favoured by artificial water sources such as dams, ponds and lakes in parks and gardens and associated grassy areas. However, wetland drainage in other areas may have negative impacts.
References
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds.), 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 1. Part B. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
http://birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=195
jcoowanitwong, gracious, jmirah, dew77, soccer, Alex99, pablominto, gypsygirl58, eqshannon, Silke, parthasarathi, bobair has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Debbie,
A beautiful species. Sharp and crisp clear image. Perfect light to show this Dusky Moorhen. Very well done.
JC

hi debbie,
nice capture, sharp image with good details, well saturated colours, nice pose, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-08-12 20:22]

Hello Debbie

A wonderful shot of this moorhen.The colours are well saturated with very good lighting.The focus is very good.Wonderful plumage details.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • takos1 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 276 W: 25 N: 204] (2569)
  • [2007-08-12 23:00]

Ottima foto, bei dettagli e colori, complimenti!

Ciao e grazie.

Franco

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2007-08-12 23:39]

Hello Debbie,
A perfect composition with beautiful light.Details on black feathers are excellent.I liked POV,framing and catchlight in eyes also a lot.Have a great week!
TFS..:-)

Hello Debbie,
Excellent captured with great exposure and focus!
perfect sharpness, bright and nice colour with details
well composed and well seen
thanks for sharing
cheers
Tony

Hi Debbie,
Well composed and finely detailed capture against a nice BG. A great POV. Very well done.

TFS
Jim

selam ,debbie excellent shot and very good composition of this lovely bird nice pov and bg with splendid colours.good details presented
Well done !
Regards ridvan

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 477 W: 0 N: 926] (7969)
  • [2007-08-13 4:13]

Hi Debbie,

The light in this capture is superb. Very sharp picture and nice, satured colors. Great pose too! My compliments!

regards,
Zeno.

Wonderful image. Really nice with great sharpness. Amazing colour, detail, DOF.
Best wishes,
Achim

  • Great 
  • soccer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 518 W: 0 N: 500] (1749)
  • [2007-08-13 10:38]

Debbie,

A well composed shot, showing a great POV, sharpness, lighting and detail of the subject. Not always easy to get the exposure right on these!

TFS,
Sheriff

Hello Debbie,
The rich colours were catching my eyes!
The sunlight really brings out the details in the plumage, a well composed image with an attractive pose from the bird!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2007-08-14 0:28]

Hi Debbie.
High-end quality shot. I like all at your amazing shot: vibrant colours, terrific lights and shadows, razor sharpness and superb details of the image, impressive 3D-effect. Bravo and my congratulations.
Alexei.

Hello Debbie,
superb shot, I like very much the beautifull lighting and the pose of this Dusky, perfect focus and colors arent realy wonderfull, great shot,
I will be back later for pts,
friendly,
Pat

Hi Deb, Excellent capture of this Moorhen! Wonderful sharpness and details and lighting and a great pose! Well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

Wonderful capture Debbie. I love your work and have just discovered it now...sometimes I am a slow learn....Canon is a great camera... They even have their logo on the new NPPA jerseys we have to wear to football games...nevermind...

Good notations and all such racka..keep on and so shall I

On a Walkabout in America...
Bob

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 109 N: 1727] (5394)
  • [2007-08-16 8:31]

I found these little characters in England too (but never got a good enough picture as it was raining :( )
superb colours, outstanding details and perfect BG
TFS
silke

Nice picture of an attractive Moorhen.

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