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White Faced Heron


White Faced Heron
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: 2006-03-26
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: 2006-03-29 3:46
Viewed: 1755
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This guy was busy fishing on the shore of Lake Taupo. I was amazed at how close he allowed me to get. Here he has caught some dinner, it looks like a worm, but not sure. I watched him for a very long time and took many photos until my Canon 100-400mm lens decided to get stuck in the zoomed position and not want to retract at all. After a wee bit of a battle I finally got if retracted but something has 'let go' and the body of the lens has deep gouge marks from when I forced it back :-( It is now at the Canon hospital and not expected back for 4 or 5 weeks :-((((

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: 11:42 a.m.
Date: 26th March 2006
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/640
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
Dando, ALIRIZA, AndyB, Merlin, scottevers7, thistle, viv, Zeno, wallhalla15, fiyo, loot, Athila, livios, sAner, red45, marhowie, Luc has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2006-03-29 3:52]

Hi Pam,

Very sharp and detailed picture of this Heron(I never fix it to come that close to them),I like the waterdrop dropping down,I suppose he has got a small fish in his beak,

Well done and TFS

Paul

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-03-29 3:57]

Hi Pam, nice shot of this Heron. Love the grey/blue tones and the way it has caught an insect with the water droplets falling from it's beak. Great shot, TFS.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6167] (21074)
  • [2006-03-29 4:05]

Wow, Pam. A most excellent profile of this unusual heron.
The sharpness of details is excellent, and so is the exposure.
A fantastic POV accentuating the beautiful neck curve.
The tidbit in his beak is an extra treat. TFS. : )

Hello Pam,
Superb shot, marvelous portrait. I like clear details, nice colours, sharpness and framing a lot. Congratulations...
Well done.
Ali Rıza

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2006-03-29 5:45]

Hello Pam,
A very good capture.
Excellent exposure,good sharp detail and I like the water drops falling from the beak.
A very well composed shot.
Good work.

TFS

Perfect portriat. No Comment!! Brava.
Maurizio

This is just excellent - nicely timed capture of the action, perfect sharpness and a perfect exposure balance. A great photograph, and another comprehensive note - well done.
Regards, Nigel.

Hi Pam,
Sorry to hear about your lens. It's last shot was a great one! Flawless comp. and framing. Great colors and detail in this shot. Frozenwater droplet puts it over the top.
Scott

Hi Pam, Very good work, It apperas to be a black and whit photo, everything right on with colors details, TFS Kyle

Hello Pam,
You has some luck that the lens didn't broke out earlier. It's a great shot. Superb moment captures with great details and perfect lighting. I like everything about it.
VERY WELL DONE!

  • Great 
  • Luce Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 80 W: 0 N: 15] (58)
  • [2006-03-29 10:09]

Wow! Quel réflexe pour capturer au moment où il capture le poisson. L'image est très nette et l'expostion parfaite. La compostion et le fond flou sont superbes. Bravo.

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 3 N: 653] (3307)
  • [2006-03-29 10:22]

Hello Pam,
What a great shot, it looks like with a lot of imagination that he let a teardrop for your camera in hospital. I hope for you that the camera comes soon out of hospital
Great POV
Thanks
Vivian

great action, the water falling off of the heron was perfectly timed. little bit too hot up top, but otherwise well done.
beth

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 0 N: 975] (8383)
  • [2006-03-29 11:56]

Hi Pam,

The details in this photo are superb. The attention goes out to the bill of the heron. I like the small catch and the waterdrops falling down.
TFS.

Zeno.

Hello Pam,
pose is excellent, great work. Very good sharpness, details, colours and composition. Thanks for sharing.
Gr.
Heinz

Perfctly timed capture Pam,
Good detail, colours and sharpness.
Composition and lighting are excellent. Good POV and framing.
Thanks for posting, enjoy the rest of the week my friend.

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2762] (10618)
  • [2006-03-29 15:42]

Fantastic shot Pam, very nice capture with a superb composition
Superb detail, and excellent colours. Very sharp and clear.
Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5452 W: 594 N: 3662] (10065)
  • [2006-03-29 19:43]

Hi Pam
Ouch, I am really sorry to hear about your lens misery. Fortunately it did not depart on you before you captured this lovely photo.
It is a definitive WOW. Great capture of the moment. The worm in the mouth and the droplets of water hanging in the air positively contributes to a beautiful composition. The colours are absolutely natural and the DOF is absolutely spot-on with razor sharp details. The exposure was perfectly managed with excellent contrast between the whites and the greys.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • Athila Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 305 W: 232 N: 432] (1564)
  • [2006-03-29 22:16]

Hello Pam!

Wonderful picture you got there. As usual, focus and exposure are just perfect. I love the composition and the shallow DOF. Finally you caught it at the decisive moment with the fish in its mouth and water drop falling from it.
Great shot and TFS.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2006-03-29 22:33]

Pam, no doubt the droplet adds a lot to the image.

Besides, great sharpness, composition and pose.

I like colors and pov too.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2006-03-30 5:28]

Hello Pam,

This is a very nice and very sharp picture. Well composed and good POV. Excellent work. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Pam,

This shot is absolutely spot-on. Almost worth the trouble with the lens...

Perfect focus, depth of field, and it captures the moment spot-on.

Well Done!

Ed

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2006-03-30 6:50]

Hi Pam!
Another unique capture perfectly frozen in time! Lovely bird, good grey colours, excellent details. Fish in beak and floating water drop are best in my opinion.

Hi Pam, Cool shot! Very sharp and detailed, excellent timing seen in this one. Luv the POV and framing, well exposed with nice colors..Very well done!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2006-04-11 5:08]

Excellent photo.
Complete note as usual.
Thank you Pam.
I am just paying my debts.

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