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Ardea n. novaehollandiae


Ardea n. novaehollandiae
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3982 W: 521 N: 8174] (27512)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of New Zealand [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-09-17 12:03
Viewed: 639
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
White Faced Heron (Ardea n. novaehollandiae)

Also known as: Blue crane. - Native, self introduced.

Physical characteristics: Size to 66cm. Male and female alike.

Distinguishing features: General colouration blue-grey with white face and throat. Yellow-green eyes. Dark grey-black beak. Olive-green feet. Breeding plumage: Long wispy blue-grey feathers develop on back, the upper breast feathers lengthen and become browner. Legs and feet acquire a pinkish tinge.
Flight is strong and leisurely, rapidly gaining height.

Habitat and range: Widespread throughout New Zealand. Originally an Australian bird, the white-faced heron has migrated outwards in a northerly and easterly direction. Inhabits freshwater wetlands, coastal areas, rivers and farm ponds. The bird was occasionally sighted in New Zealand in the 1800's but was not confirmed to be breeding here until 1941.

Habits: The white-faced heron often perches with its head tucked in. When searching for food, the bird wades through shallow water pausing regularly to 'foot rake'. It will stretch out a leg and drag its foot back and forth rapidly in order to disturb small fish and invertebrates. Often the heron will hold its wings in a fan-like position to shade the water and cut down on reflection.

Diet: In the wild: Invertebrates (including insects, spiders, worms), molluscs, frogs and tadpoles, some plant matter and to a lesser extent small fish.

Breeding: Peaks in October, depending on distribution.

Nest: A loose platform of sticks at the top of tall trees, near water. Usually nest alone or in a scattered group. Eggs: 3-5 pale blue-green, incubated by both parents for around 25 days.

Chicks: White down. Rivalry amongst the chicks is fierce and generally only two survive to fledge. Fledge at 6 weeks but stay with parents until the next breeding season.

The above obtained from http://www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145829017

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 15:14 p.m.
Date: 4th August 2007
Location: Outdoors
Conditions: Overcast but good light
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 200
Support: Hand Held
Flash: Canon 580EX Speedlite
Original file type: Digital Raw
fartash, red45, LordPotty, mecamich, MMM, SunToucher, kjpweb, marhowie, parthasarathi, Tamrock has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pam,
A really super portrait on this White Faced Heron. Great soft light. Fill flash exposure is really good here. The colors are perfect, and detail in the plumage is very sharp. Alot of nice fine detail. The OOF darker backround makes for a more dramatic shot. Looks great!
Scott

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2830 W: 75 N: 8025] (26863)
  • [2007-09-17 13:32]

Hi Pam!

And you did it again :-) Another superb portrait of beautifull bird. Very detailed, with excellent light and shades of grey. I like it very much!

Hi Pam,
A very nice portrait of this Heron Pam.
I've never noticed the enlarged lower beak before. I wonder if this is an adaptation that is still in the process of evolving.
Perhaps our Herons will end up looking like pelicans?
Beautiful shot with great colour and detail.
Well done.
Steve

Hi Pam,marvelous portrait with great detail and excellent backround.I like it
Tfs
Mich

Hello Pam
Very intersting portrait of this Heron,
Perfect focusing,BG and lighting,Welldone.

Good Luck
Fartash

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 755 W: 0 N: 1515] (6928)
  • [2007-09-18 6:44]

Hello Pam
Nice portrait of an heron I never saw before,Very sharp image wuth nice details and colors,I like that dark BG.
TFS Michel

Hi Pam,
Could you please tel me the trick of getting always such a wonderful color BG? In my eyes this is a real trademark of a Russell photo. You alos captured a wonderful bird again with perfect details and an amazing close POV. The flash brought out the colors perfectly and gave the eye the wonderful little twinkel.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • kjpweb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 367 W: 86 N: 1084] (4788)
  • [2007-09-18 14:22]

Wow - a beauty! And a very well done portrait! Most excellent detail in the plumage. Kudos! Cheers, Klaus

Hi Pam,
A nice portrayed capture of this heron. Fine details and POV. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Pam
Another great portrait for you.
Cheers.

Great shot and note.

Hi Pam,
A gorgeous close up portrait of this heron and all with very accurate colors and sharp detail. The lighting is perfect on this one. Hope your doing great! :)

Hi Pam
Your Heron portrait is just gorgeous! I don't see anything wrong here. Colours, detail, POV, DOF are great. He's a beautiful heron. Interesting notes.
TFS Janice...from up north...way up north :D

Hi Pam, splendid portrait with great details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

hi pam!
very nice portrait on this beauty!
sharp with good composition and
very fine exposure!
great work!

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