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Eye Contact


Eye Contact
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: 2007-10-21
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS + EF 1.4X II Ex, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-12-11 21:30
Viewed: 2374
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea)

Also Called: Oriental Small-Clawed Otter

Description: Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest otters in the world. They are predominantly a dark brown with a lighter patch on their throat. They have relatively short hair with their longest hairs at less than an inch in length. The feet of Asian small-clawed otter are very narrow and are only webbed to the last joint and not all the way to the end of the toe. They have very short, blunt claws. The fact that their paws are only partially webbed gives them an excellent sense of touch and coordination. They catch their preyWhat does prey mean? in their paws instead of with their mouth (unlike other otters.)

Food: Asian small-clawed otters live on crabs, mollusks, fish, and small aquatic mammals.


Habitat: Asian small-clawed otters live in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps. They are on land more than any other otter. Asian small-clawed otters are found Southern India, Southern China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Social Structure: Asian small-clawed otters are one of the few social otters. Breeding pairs will stay together for life and both participate in the raising of their young. Young otters will often stay with their parents after adulthood and live together in a small social group of anywhere from 4 to 12 animals. Within these groups, Asian small-clawed otters can be found playing games such as tug-of-war or just sunning themselves. The female Asian small-clawed otter is dominant over the male and the male will hunt for the female and her pups as they develop.

Birth & Offspring: Young Asian small-clawed otters are born small and helpless. They don’t open their eyes until they are 40 days old. They start to swim at 63 days and eat solid food at 80 days.

Senses Asian small-clawed otters have an excellent sense of vision, both under water and above.

The above obtained from http://www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/Asian_Small-Clawed_Otter.asp

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 15:44 p.m.
Date: 21st October 2007
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM
Extender: Canon EF 1.4X II
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 225mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw
loot, mariki, rcrick, Debz, JPlumb has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5435 W: 593 N: 3649] (10027)
  • [2007-12-11 22:09]
  • [2]

Hi Pam

What a cute little face, but don't let that bluff you, because these guys have vicious teeth and are more than capable to fend for themselves. You are right, the eye contact is great, although this guy might have been a little squint as it seems like he was looking over your left shoulder.

I like the relative close cropping for this portrait style composition. The details around the frontal area of the face is nice and sharp, but probably the f/5.6 aperture setting at this near proximity has cost you a wee bit in DOF towards the neck, ears, and head area. No big deal (just a matter of personal opinion) as it would have been great to see the complete animal in full focus for this portrait shot. Of course the BG shows the marvellous result of this shallow DOF.

Anyway, well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 711 W: 36 N: 1549] (4991)
  • [2007-12-11 22:36]

Hi Pam,
Wonderful portrait of this Asian Otter, nice close crop works very well, excellent detail, perfect exposure, and the perfect background to show of this little guys features, all the best Cheers Rick :)

Hello Pam, splendid and so cute capture,
lovely pose and technicaly perfect,
cheer,
friendly,
Pat

Hello Pam,

Very nice portrait of this cute otter. Sharpness is great. Very nice colours. The contrast against the background is perfect.
Well done,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 516 W: 0 N: 846] (3307)
  • [2007-12-12 1:37]

Hi Pam, this shot caught my attention immediately in the Gallery. A fine portrait of the lovely Otter, details and sharpnss is spot on (even on the whiskers) and very good light and exposure. Your pov is wonderful with the Otter looking straight at the camera, he's a cutie with thos large eyes, you must have been very closeu. Great compostion.
tfs
debz

Hi Pam, this is a great natural looking portrait of this Otter. The eyes are very good, but it's the matted wet fur and whiskers that really stand out for me. This is an excellent sharp shot of this guy. Great use of your depth of field, to neutralize the background. Awesome shot all around.

Thanks, John

Hi Pam
Very nice portrait of this otter, the background is very good.
Cheers

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2007-12-12 8:53]

Hola Pam.- Simpatica foto. Muy agradable la pose y su mirada muy atenta. Me agrada la nitidez y el momento logrado aqui.
Saludos Pam.-
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2007-12-12 22:37]

Hi Pam!

Cute guy :-) I love its pose, face and eyes. Caught just after bath, looks great!

  • Great 
  • jo8 Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 14] (99)
  • [2007-12-13 20:30]

Isn't he cute. Looks like he'd be full of mischief :)
Very cool shot Pam

Hi Pam
What a wonderful photo. The moment where he just sticks out his tip of the tongue is amazing. I love the little details and the reflection in his eyes. The OOF BG has some very stunning colors. I do feel there is a slight blue cast on the coat.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • KJR (51)
  • [2007-12-25 13:02]

A most wonderful close-up of this beauty. Gorgeous details and contrast against background. Excellently done!

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