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Mrs Mandarin #2


Mrs Mandarin #2
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-09
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Sigma 80-400 OS, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Exotic Ducks Of The World, Pankaj Bajpai's Favourite, Great Portraits Part Two [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-04-27 3:38
Viewed: 1739
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Common Name: Duck - Mandarin
Other Common Names: none listed
Scientific Name: Aix galericulata (Full Taxonomy)
Relative Size: Average (as compared to other wild birds)
Compatibility: Relatively Non-Aggressive (as compared to other wild birds)

The Mandarin Duck spends much of its time in trees. It is known as a perching duck and prefers more of a wooded atmosphere, but it also must have a pond along with that. For the private owner, a child's wading pool will do and a large tree with many branches. Because this duck is known for being hardy and easy to care for, it is a perfect choice for people who are just beginning to own or breed ducks. These ducks are also cheap to buy, another thing that makes the duck perfect for beginners. These ducks have an easygoing personality and therefore, they do well in a mix of ducks and other birds, like doves and pheasants. The Mandarin Ducks do well in almost any atmosphere with other birds, as long as each has enough space so that their breeding can be separate from the other animals.

These ducks are very beautiful ones. The males are more colorful than the females, however. The males have a forehead that is green and it turns a purplish color as you go farther down along the head. The sides of its head are white and the eyes are a buff, or chestnut color. The Mandarin's chest is white and its back is usually a maroon or dark plum color. On its wings, there are two white strips in front and there are bright orange feathers on its inner wings. The female is more muted and is a grayish-brown color and it has a white-eye ring, a lighter belly and a small crest. This is where it is hard to tell the female Mandarin apart from the North America Wood Duck. There is also a mutation of the Mandarin that is becoming fairly popular and that is the White Mandarin. It isn't an albino, but it is sensitive to light and requires much shade.

This duck is from East Asia. It can be found in Korea, Japan, China and the eastern part of Siberia. They love wooded ponds, marshes and rocky streams. If it is in Japan or another warmer part of the country, then it is not migratory, but in Siberia, they migrate towards the milder climate, like Japan. In the ancient oriental cultures they were known for respect, martial fidelity and kindness. The marriage fidelity part it was known for was because of the strong bonds between the ducks. The Mandarin Duck was present in much literature for that reason.

The above obtained from http://www.centralpets.com/critterpages/birds/wild_birds/WBD4794.shtml

Image Information

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 12 ;20 p.m.
Date: 9th April 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Sigma 80-400mm OS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/2000
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 400
aktolga, dew77, highpeak8, Janice, Luc, red45, AndyB, TAZ, sAner, marhowie, liquidsunshine has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To dew77: What is the green strap under her beak?coasties 1 04-27 03:58
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-04-27 3:49]

I can't believe how beautiful her eyes are. Oh, and look at the piece of grass by her beak. Wonderful capture Pam. Colours, pose, compo - all excellent. TFS.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-04-27 3:51]
  • [+]

Wonderful lady portrait Pam!
She is very cute.DOF,details and BG are perfect.
What is the green strap under her beak?
Very well done!TFS...:-)

wow, such a clear and sharp photo! so beautiful!
this is a "mrs" duck for sure, for a drake would be much more brightly coloured.
and to the Chinese, mandarin ducks are actually a romantic symbol for lovers(just like butterfly) for they are seen in pair together most of the time.

Très beau portrait Pam !
Une lumière brille dans ses yeux.
Felicitations !
Nico.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-04-27 4:07]

Personal assessment of the photo: excellent.
Very strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you again Pam. Her eye is similar to WoodDuck's female without the white line behind it.

What a cute lady Pam!
I loved her very much.Wonderful details,sharpness,DOF and BG.Excellent composition.
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-04-27 4:22]

Very stylish and elegand Lady Pam! I think it is one of best duck's portraits on TN. Excellent quality, lovely green BG in contrast to B&W duck. And her eye is abysmal ;-) Superb work!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2005-04-27 4:27]

This a beautiful portrait.
Excellent detail and colours,wonderful green background.
Fabulous,very well done.

Halo Pam!
What a great eye! I would like to have the same!!! All my life I'm sorry I've got blue eyes.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-04-27 4:31]

Beau et intéressant portrait photographique pour ce superbe Mandarin avec sa brindille dans le bec . Jolies couleurs et bonne netteté.
Well Done !!!

Wonderful shot Pam. The eye is just great. Lovely details, nice and sharp. She has huge nostrils though :)

she has a little piece of grass stuck to her throat !! :)

Great shot
Elize

This photo is visual poetry with attitude !

Wonderful portrait Pam.
Green BG looks quite well in the composition and also the look...:)

TFS

Sinan

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-04-27 6:15]

Mandarin ducks are amongst my fav ducks and this portrait is just beautiful Pam. Very nicely composed, sharp details and lovely BG. Colors are great and the note is informative. TFS!

Gee wiz Pam, lets just make it 30, what ya say? ;-) Very nice profile shot with excellent details, sharpness and colors...Like the great contrasting green BG and the herbage on the beak adds character... Very well done!!

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
  • [2005-04-27 10:38]

Wonderful close-up, Pam. Super sharp details on this gorgeous female. Not as showy as the male, but she definitely has understated beauty. I love the white rim around the eye, and the details on the beak are perfectly rendered. Congratulations!

  • Great 
  • Kris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 180 W: 0 N: 129] (1812)
  • [2005-04-27 11:24]

Very clear image this wonderful bird. Beautiful colors, wonderful exposure, great focus.
Regards, Krzysztof.

Another lovely portrait of Mrs Mandarin Pam,
As with your previous post, the details, colours, sharpness and composition are outstanding.
Thanks for posting

Hello Pam, what a graceful bird.
Sharpen and colors are very beautiful.
Excellent work. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-04-27 23:25]

Pam, simply very nice.

Great mug shot.

Excellent sharpness, bg, pose and composition.

Congratulations.

superbe couleur et lumière.... quel détails!

Very clear and crip pic, I love the grey colour against the green background. The close-up is just the right size. Your point of interest is the head and it is well rendered.

Thx for the comments. Yan

tres beau portrait !

Amitiés ;) !

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