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Spring Cleaning


Spring Cleaning
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3815 W: 505 N: 8090] (27700)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-11-20
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-12-07 3:33
Viewed: 1502
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)

Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae

Physical Description: Male Mandarin ducks are considered by many to be the most beautifully colored of all waterfowl. The head of the male has a chestnut and green crest, a wide white stripe along the eye, a bright chestnut colored side and a red bill. The male's breast is plum colored, its belly is white, its back is dark and its sides are mottled buff. For most of the summer, the male Mandarin ducks do not have their distinctive plumage and look very much like the females. Following the breeding season, the males molt all of their colorful feathers, which do not re-grow until sometime in the fall. The female has a crested head with a white eye-ring, a gray-brown mottled back and a lighter spotted belly. She appears very similar to the female American wood duck as the two species are closely related. Mandarin ducks are one of the "perching" ducks. They have sharp talons and spend much of their time in trees.

Habitat: Mandarin ducks reside in wooded inland waters. Diet: Mandarin ducks eat vegetable matter and invertebrates.

Life Span: Specific information on the Mandarin duck's life span is unavailable. However, the closely related American wood duck can live almost as long as 20 years.

Reproduction: Mandarin ducks have an elaborate courtship display involving whistling calls, raising of crests and sail feathers, head-bobbing and mutual preening. They nest in the holes of hollow tree trunks and use grass to cover the base of the nest cavity to which they add a soft layer of down. Primarily it is the female that incubates her clutch of 9–12 eggs. Chicks hatch after 28–30 days and, when just one day old, jump from the nest to the ground and head for water. The ducklings stay close to the female for about eight weeks at which time they are able to fly and fend for themselves. The male takes no role in the rearing process, leaving before the eggs hatch.

The above obtained from http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/index.php?id=3_1_4_7

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 11:30 a.m.
Date: 20th November 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/160
F-Stop: F/8
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw
mjdundee, Janice, scottevers7, marhowie, Fisher, Demetrio, alejandroguzman, Dave, dew77, Luc, slrnovice2 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pam,
this is a beauty you have caught.
Like the POV and the shallow DOF, is really "pop" out the bird from the BG. Lovely colours and great sharpness.
Great work.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3064 W: 231 N: 6159] (21044)
  • [2005-12-07 3:51]

What a great POV, Pam. He is really showing off all his beautiful feathers. Excellent shot. TFS. : )

This is a gorgeous shot and the POV really works well with this Mandarin Ducky, you've encapsulated the subject with an excellent DOF. Well done Pam. :)

Hello Pam,
Another great and so detailed post of a very beautifull species. TFS. Thomas

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-12-07 4:23]

Pam, he looks so funny, a well timed shot by you. I can't stop smiling at the position he is in. He is so sharp and clear, and such a beautiful colours and patterns. Well seen and well caught by you. Thank you...

Well executed! The mandarin duck is without a doubt very beautiful and you've captured him in an interesting pose. Thanks for sharing!

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-12-07 7:22]

Très belle composition,les couleurs sonts justes et la netteté excellente.

Félicitaions et merci!

Hi Pam,
This one rocks!. Beautiful colors with very sharp detail. I think the composition and framing are perfect. OOF backround looks wonderful here.
Great shot!
Scott

Have a Great holiday season Pam!
Thank You.

Hi Pam,

Beautiful composition and well done on the capture. Excellent details.

Mike

This is a real beauty you have caught. I like the colours and the details. Excellent work.

Hello Pam you have done this very nicely, the image is spot on and the frame finishes it off very well.

Well done

Demetrio

what a crazy punk u captured !!! LOL


AMAZING picture Pam... AWESOME work !!

hugs
alejandro

  • Great 
  • klemmg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
  • [2005-12-07 18:04]

WOW! Colourful bird and a wonderful BG reminiscent of a Monet painting. Tiny nit: a bit more space at the bottom where the tail and feet are. As is, it is VERY good!
Kind regards,
Gabi

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1494 W: 0 N: 1175] (6494)
  • [2005-12-07 19:08]

Hi Pam,
This is a superb shot!
Excellent composition and POV,
very sharp details and nice colours,
great framing.
Very well done and TFS!

  • Great 
  • nofer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1190 W: 367 N: 803] (2230)
  • [2005-12-07 20:18]

Lindo...!!!
Muita nitidez. Fundo bom (back).
Cores ótimas.
Ótima composição (POV)
TFS
Reynaldo

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 525 W: 47 N: 674] (2173)
  • [2005-12-07 20:59]

Hi Pam,
You've captured a neat moment. Great timing.
Thanks,
Dave

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-12-08 2:29]

Hello Pam!
Wonderful shot.Moment you caught,clear details,POV,BG,framing and composition are excellent.
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-12-09 1:52]

Personal assessment of the photo: excellent. I am really impressed by the clearness and the limunances of the colors of this image.
Capacity of evocation in me: strong.
Very strong visual impact.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you very much,Pam or sharing a so beautifull picture and for the enjoyment which it give to me.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2005-12-12 8:27]

Wonderful picture of a wonderful bird. Congratulations for another "smash hit"
:-)

Mario

Hi Pam, I like the unsual POV you have here. Artistic POV, great technique, DOF and exposure. Great colour, great sharpness and definately a great shot. Well done :)

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