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Kawau Shag


Kawau Shag
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 30d, Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-10-10 23:58
Viewed: 744
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kawau Shag
Also known in New Zealand as the Black Shag

Cormorants and shags are medium-to-large seabirds. The majority, including all Northern Hemisphere species, have mainly dark plumage, but some Southern Hemisphere species are black and white, and a few (e.g. the Spotted Shag of New Zealand) are quite colourful.

Many species have areas of coloured skin on the face - the lores and the gular skin which can be bright blue, orange, red or yellow, typically becoming more brightly coloured in the breeding season.

The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed - a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order.


They are coastal rather than oceanic birds, and some have colonised inland waters. They range around the world, except for the central Pacific islands.

Of the world’s 36 shag species, 12 are found in New Zealand. Eight of these are endemic – they are found nowhere else.

The remaining four are native to other countries as well as New Zealand. All except the black shag are fully protected by law in New Zealand, and it too is protected except in special circumstances.
ramthakur, siggi, Argus, Royaldevon, marhowie, eqshannon, Adanac has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nagraj: Thank you for the WSJanice 1 10-11 02:44
To Royaldevon: ThanksJanice 1 10-11 02:41
To ramthakur: Many thanks.Janice 1 10-11 00:18
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Critiques [Translate]

An endearing and artistic composition with only partial view of the sea bird, Janice.
You compel the viewer's attention to only one spot -- the ringed blue eye of the bird as it scratches and preens its breast, apparently in a relaxed mood.
It is in shots like this that you stop being just a nature photographer and turn into a photo artist with intense sensitivities, Janice. It is not a general remark; it's about YOU.
Thanks a lot for making my day with this beauty.
Ram

hi janice,
beautiful image, good concept and captured well in the soft lighting. the yellow color is brilliantly used for a composition. your notes of these birds are worth reading.
i did a workshop, only to make the composition stronger and for a tight abstact image. hope you don't mind. your image is fine, no doubt. tfs.
nagraj.v

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2008-10-11 1:00]

Hello Janice,
Excellent Cormorant portrait with excellent pov,dof,focus,sharpness,note,frame,blurred bg and pose.
Well Done.TFS
Siggi

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2008-10-11 1:30]

The eye has it here Janice!
It is the centre of focus in this imaginative presentation of a preening Shag (Cormorant) taken from a fine POV with excellent sharpness and set in a fine composition.
TFS this delight,
Cheers,
Ivan

Hello Janice,

Such a tight crop was a little unexpected and not something I would have even considered, but how well it works! it focusses concentration on the eye and then the plummage.
Very well done!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2008-10-11 5:25]

Hello Janice,
Beautiful and sharp-detailed photo in a special composition. Very good POV and BG. Great natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Janice,
You've "shagged me", nice shot :)
I like the intimate close-comp and your POV here.
Glad to call you my friend..
Best wishes,
Howard

It is sort of a cute pose Janice..there is something artsy about it which gives it an almost characteristic of drawing enhanced..Very nice!
Bob

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2008-10-11 18:46]

Hello Janice,
What an artist capture Janice with great focus on that beautiful eye, thank you for sharing.
Rick

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-10-12 4:12]

Hello Janice Looks so close shot. Good catch of the eyes.Strong focus. Ganesh

Hi Janice,
Beautiful shot, I really like how you framed it, cropping off the top and bottom part of this beautiful bird, very nice colours, it maybe lacks a bit of sharpness but still very good work!
TFS & regards,
Tomasz

Very artistic...like the crop here. Excellentdetails - each feather is distinct. Well done!

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