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Yellowhammer


Yellowhammer
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-17 2:45
Viewed: 1142
Points: 23
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Yellowhammer

Introduced into New Zealand between 1862 and early 1870’s and now found throughout the country in farmlands, orchards and open tussockland.

As the name suggests the adult male has a bright yellow head and underparts.

The sides of the face and crown are a soft brown, the breast has a cinnamon wash and the flanks are pale yellow. The adult female is duller and paler yellow. Both have reddish-brown upperparts, streaked darker, rufous rump and white outer tail feathers. The call is a ringing metallic ‘tink’ or ‘twick’;

the male song is ‘chitty-chitty-chitty…sweee’ or ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese’.

Yellowhammers eat a mix of seeds from introduced weeds, grasses, clover and cereals and invertebrates such as caterpillars, beetles, flies, bugs and spiders.

They form flocks in autumn and winter but are territorial during the breeding season from October to March. The nest is a cup of dry grass, lined with rootlets, moss, hair, wool and feathers. It is usually built on or very close to the ground in gorse, brambles, bracken, long grass, etc. The clutch of 3 –
5 whitish-pink eggs with dark brown scribbling lines is incubated mainly by the female for 12 – 14 days. Both parents feed the chicks which fledge at 12 – 13 days.

Vital Statistics

Conservation Status: Common European Introduction
Mainland Status: Widespread and locally common
Size: 16cm, 27g
Life Span: 9+ years possibly
Breeding: October - March
Diet: Seeds and invertebrates


IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 11:51 p.m.
Date: 11th November 2006
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS USM
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/6.3
Focal Length: 210mm
Support: Hand Held
External Flash: Canon 580EX Speedlite
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
ralfsworld, PaulH, ellis49, Argus, Hil, Debz, garyfudge, jeanpaul, TAZ has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pam,
Nicely captured, sharp and neat image.
Great shot.

BL

Hello Pam , good comp. and colors , but a little underexposure , TFS.

Hi Pam
Nice shot of this Yellowhammer on way to take off.
I like mysterious low light here giving nice atmosphere.
TFS
Ralf

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1112 W: 23 N: 3660] (13089)
  • [2007-04-17 6:40]

Hi Pam,

i like the subdued tone of this shot, the yellow of the the yellowhammer seems to be almost painted on! Nice pose as he's just about to take flight too - lovely work!

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Pam,
the light is maybe a bit low but the colours are very nice.
Well composed, nice POV and pose.
Fine details and nice shallow DOF, the bird standout well.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2007-04-17 11:47]

Hello Pam,
Fine capture of a Yellohammer from your archives, the flash enabling a good sharpness and colour. Well composed and nice wing action, looking as if it is a bout to take off.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 705 W: 13 N: 1405] (5027)
  • [2007-04-17 14:23]

Hi Pam

Excellent shot of the Yellowhammer, beautiful composition with a great POV and a fine pose, nice sharp detail and lovely colours set against the dark BG.

TFS Hil :o)

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 516 W: 0 N: 846] (3307)
  • [2007-04-17 20:47]

Hi Pam, I haven't seen a Yellowhammer for some years here. Great shot, is he leaving or arriving> Wonderful colour and sharpness on the feathers and great POV and DOF.
tfs
debz

I like the dark photo with the bright yellow bird. ..beautiful focus, great color. TFS
Donna:o)

Pam,

a great shot. Lovely natural colours and that hint of motion blur in the wings creates a great feeling of activity.

Gary

Bonjour Pam
Très belle capture de ce magnifique oiseau au couleurs magnifiques.Tu as bien saisis tous ses détails dans cette belle prise de vue, profondeur de champs et composition.
Merci et au revoir...JP

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2007-04-20 13:01]

Hello Pam,
A new artistic shot for this cute bird. He seems in gold on the dark background...
The "+++" : composition, subject, POV, sharpness, DOF, blurred BG, colors, exposure, useful note...
The "-" : impossible to find...
Congratulations my friend and TFS.

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