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Mother and Child Coot


Mother and Child Coot
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113] (18646)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-12-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 30d
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-18 22:57
Viewed: 673
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Australian Coot in New Zealand
Fulica atra australis


New Zealand had two endemic coots, now extinct.

Australian Coots (self-introduced from Australia to New Zealand) have been breeding in New Zealand since the late 1950s and today are found throughout the country. It is now considered a New Zealand native. By 2005, around 2,000 were scattered on lakes throughout both main islands.

The bird is one of four subspecies of the Eurasian coot Fulica atra, which is native to Europe, northern Africa, Asia and greater Australasia. The Australian coot breeds in Australia and New Zealand. It is a protected self-introduced native.

This Coot fulica atra australis is described as having a distinctive all-over grey-black
colouring and greyish-white frontal shield and bill.

Nesting
Coots often make floating nests of twigs and raupo attached to lake vegetation such as willow, and usually raise two clutches. But here you see that the nest is on a steady rock. I think their young babies are the ugliest baby birds I have seen – considering how attractive the adults are (IMO). But this one is fairly old now and has light grey feathers and isn’t so bad looking.

I saw this mother and child at Western Springs, and a TL member, Pete / EOSNUT allowed me to use his Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens. What a beauty it was. . . Wish it was mine. . .

I know this image could be better and sharper - I need more practice with the lens.

* * *
anel, bikefifty, techranger, sranjan, Adanac has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To claudine: LensJanice 1 01-19 13:20
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 0 N: 3814] (15352)
  • [2009-01-19 0:19]

Hello Janice,
Touching scene of this mother coot feeding the hungry baby! Very vivid scene and well framed. The little lacks of sharpness here don't bother me, here the "action" is more important. Beautiful stone covered with yellow lichen.
Well seen
My best regards
Anne

beautiful scene and perfect capture , fine details and good sharp , great natural colours and nice background ,
septimiu

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3260] (14687)
  • [2009-01-19 5:25]

Hello Janice, Good situation captured very well in the frame. Well shot and a nice moment. Ganesh

hello Janice
beautiful composition
good of sharpness i like the picture
greeting lou

Janice,

Nice catch with the 400mm. I love the shots of birds when it is mother and child. Those are rare and hard to get. I am sure the 400 helped.

Enjoy your summer, it was 8 degrees Fahrenheit here this morning.

bob

Hi Janice,
This lens is a good one but it needs good light and for me, using monopod with it gives better result. We have those birds here as well but I don't see them often... This is an interesting capture and I like this little hungry one! Well seen!
Claudine

Great shot of the mother coot and young... Capture was timely and well done... detail and composition are great. It is refreshing to look at a good looking coot instead of seeing some "old coot" in the mirror every morning... ;) TFS Janice.

BTW: My shoulder is fine now and surgery was not necessary... thanks for your concern. God bless. :)

Larry

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 986 W: 5 N: 2715] (10472)
  • [2009-01-19 23:09]

Hello Janice,
Very nice composition, POV and colours. I also like frame. Good work!
TFS

  •      
  • sranjan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 57 N: 1372] (3990)
  • [2009-01-20 7:38]

Dear Janice,
I like the POV, sharpness & details of the subject. The lighting & composition for the Australian Coots are superb. TFS.
Regards-Subhash

I think coots are a hoot!

Nice capture of parent about to feed a hungry child.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5207] (17607)
  • [2009-01-23 18:53]

Hello Janice,
What a pleasant and touching composition. Absolutely splendid work Janice, thank you for sharing this beauty.
Rick

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