<< Previous Next >>

My Baby !


My Baby !
Photo Information
Copyright: Scott McDougall (Taggart) Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 64] (196)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-02-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 300D, Sigma 70-200 / 2.8 EX
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Baby Animals 4, Family Matters 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-02-28 1:49
Viewed: 1214
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Pukeko, a member of the rail family which includes Weka, is really quite one of the most gorgeous of our birds and does not deserve the contempt bred from familiarity. They are also called the Purple Swamp Hen or Purple Gallinule although they are not really purple at all but, for the most part, a deep almost iridescent indigo blue. The back and wings are black with a greenish gloss and the undertail coverts are pure white. The large scarlet bill and orange-red legs and feet complete a very exotic picture.

There are 15 sub species and the range of the Pukeko includes southern Europe, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Melanesia, western Polynesia, as well as Australia and New Zealand, so it is very common indeed. The form melanotus breeds in northern and eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, including the Kermadec and Chatham Islands.

Pukeko have an extended nesting season usually from August to March but males may be seen treading the female as late as April and it is not unusual to see small chicks late in Autumn. Groups rather than pairs often occupy territories. Groups can consist of two laying females and at least two males and all share the incubation. Groups can also contain non-breeding helpers, offspring from previous broods that help in the feeding and caring for chicks. This ability to cooperate accounts for their success as a species.

Diet is a wide variety of swamp and pasture vegetation but also insects, frogs, small birds and eggs. They have prospered on farmland and are regarded as a pest for their damage to grain and vegetable crops.

http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/pukeko.html
viv, Janice, sfirmston has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6167] (21074)
  • [2006-02-28 2:10]

What a cute scene, Scott. Great POV and good colors and details.
This is the first time I have seen a baby pukeko. I can see hints of blue coming out on his chest. Very interesting. TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 3 N: 653] (3307)
  • [2006-02-28 4:04]

Hello Scott,
Never seen before, great POV, what a lucky persn you have been for seeing this.
Vivian

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-02-28 4:29]

Hi Scott, how cute. I love watching these mothers with their babies. And to see them use their feet like forks is just amazing. The colours and sharpness are very good. Well shown, thank you
Janice

Nuice intimate moment. Thanks, Ori

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2006-02-28 22:57]

Bonsoir Scott!

Excellente prise,le moment est superbe et l'éclairage fait bien ressortir les couleurs et les détails.


Félicitations et merci pour l'envoie.


Joseph

Very good shot Scott, great to catch mum and bub together and you've got a great POV to take the shot from. Perfect focus as well.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF