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Little Downy Duckling


Little Downy Duckling
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: 2005-11-20
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
Theme(s): Baby Animals 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-11-22 3:47
Viewed: 1398
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ducks and Ducklings

Ducks most often nest in grassy hollows or in marshes. Sometimes the nests are built in tree cavities. A clutch, or group of eggs will usually consist of five to twelve eggs. After an incubation period of three to four weeks, the baby ducklings hatch. In just a few hours they are able to run and swim!

Males and females pair up in late fall. Nesting begins in early to mid Spring. Nests are usually made away from the ducks' main body of water. The male and female will scout out the nest site together, looking for sites with low predator activity. Even though she can safely fly in and out of the nesting location, she does not anticipate that she'll have to walk out once the ducklings hatch. Nests may be located close to busy streets or in enclosed courtyards. The female will return to the selected site to lay an egg each day, then return to the water to be with the male. The egg laying process last for an equal number of days. Once egg laying is complete, she will leave the male (who will wait at the water for her) and she will begin incubation. By waiting to incubate until egg-laying is complete, this ensures all the eggs hatch at the same time. At this stage the females will only leave the nest to quickly get food/water and briefly visit with the male, usually very early in the morning and late in the evening. She can be observed taking flight in the direction of her preferred body of water. In 24 to 28 days for mallards ( 28 to 32 days for muscovies ), all the eggs will hatch within a twenty-four hour period and the mother will lead her brood back to the water where her mate should be waiting. Returning to the male ensures protection for both the female and the ducklings.

If an unattended nest is discovered and it has less than 8 eggs, it may be safe to assume that the female has not yet completed egg laying. She will only begin incubating the eggs once egg laying is complete.

The main enemies of young ducks and duck eggs are raccoons, skunks, foxes, crows, gulls, and snapping turtles. Human beings are also a threat to ducks. Water pollution causes habitat loss and poisoning.

The above obtained from http://wildliferehabber.com

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 11:53 a.m.
Date: 20th November 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/8
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
red45, TAZ, Janice, Libor, wallhalla15, sAner, scottevers7, dew77, livios, alejandroguzman, liquidsunshine, hummingbird24 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-11-22 4:03]

CUTE Pam ;-) Excellent, 'fluffy' photo with lovely subject. Very good note also.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-11-22 4:50]

Wow ! What a lovely and interesting "caneton" that you have very well captured ! Great shot well presented. I also appreciate the complementary note... Congratulations Pam and thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-11-22 5:18]

What a little sweetie Pam, I love his cream coloured patch on his head. Nice and fluffy with a grubby face. Good job!

Awwwww, the duckling is sooooooo cute :))) I love its cute little face. You have captured the feather detail so well and the eyes are so sharp and clear. Very well taken Pam!
Regards,
Claudia

  • Great 
  • Libor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 176 W: 1 N: 25] (1101)
  • [2005-11-22 5:56]

very lovely shot :o)

Hi Pam - thatīs a cute duckling. Very nice capture with great colours and sharpness. Very good composition. Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-11-22 6:16]

Extremely cute. Sharp details and great POV. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

  • Great 
  • honza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 0 N: 716] (4191)
  • [2005-11-22 6:42]

Nice and lovely photo of the little duck. Perfect composition and sharp details. TFS

Hi Pam,
The cutness factor is very,very high here. I am a big softie for any baby animals. The shot is outstanding. Colors are perfect in this light. Sharp detail. Gotta Luv this one!
Scott

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-11-22 7:44]

Hello Pam!
Very nice capture.POV,details,colors,sharpness,your cute model and composition are wonderful.TFS...:-)

WOW pam !!!

I really love this picture, very well composed and LOVELY !!!


hugs
alejandro

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 1 N: 328] (2024)
  • [2005-11-22 13:47]

Have to admit too cute. Well done.

Hi Pam,
Excellent capture, good sharp detail and colours. Great pose and POV. A very high cuteness factor on this shot.
Nicely composed and good exposure.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.

Hi Pam,
Yes it is a cute one...
Nice frame, nice cropping, nice colrs despite there is not that much in this picture they are well shown.
Nice job !!!

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-11-23 11:55]

Pam, this is very nice.

Excellent lighting, lovely catchlight, great sharpness, pov and composition.

A cute and lovely image.

Oh Pam, what is not to love about this cutie!

Superb composition with excellent details, colors, lighting and POV.

Great job, now can I pet him?

Thank you.

This is really a cute shot of this little duckling with a fantastic POV. :)

Pam,

Another nice picture of a little duck. Great POV and sharpness.
Thanks for sharing.
Kim

niesamowite!!

  • Great 
  • Auoui (7)
  • [2007-01-09 20:36]

What a great photo! :) I can`t but give at least 2 points for it

Cheers,
Bogdan

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