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Black NZ Duck - Papango


Black NZ Duck - Papango
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: 2009-03-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 30d, Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-03-29 2:36
Viewed: 846
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
New Zealand Scaup
Maori Name - Papango
Scientific name: Athya noveseelandiae
Common name: scaup
Status: endemic, protected


New Zealand Scaup are a small blackish diving duck, resembling a bathtub rubber-duckie but black. They are endemic to New Zealand. They are usually found on deep lakes and are rarely found on coastal lakes or rivers. This bird was on the lake at Western Springs in Auckland City.

Don’t you just love his golden eye?

They used to be quite widespread, but their range and numbers have declined due to environment changes, shooting and many predators.

Scaup dive to at least 3m for aquatic plants and invertebrates and can stay underwater for surprisingly long periods.


Scaup tend to be found in flocks during winter. In September they become territorial and by late October 7 to 8 eggs are laid in a nest that is usually located under dense cover near water. The female incubates the eggs alone and when the ducklings are about 1 day old she takes them to the water where they are immediately able to dive for food.

These ducks are usually silent but males sometimes whistle and females sometimes quack.

http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/
Argus, eqshannon, red45, Luis52 has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To red45: DUCK!!Janice 1 04-03 02:49
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Janice,
A nice capture of this beautiful New Zealand Scaup. I especially like its eye. Very well composed with sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2009-03-29 2:53]

Hello Janice,
Nice to see a posting from you on TN again!
This is a fine potrait of the NZ Scaup, a new one on me, and possibly on TN!
The sharpness not only showing this duck with fine clarity but a droplet of water on its back. I also like the POV and composition with fine water movement that makes a splendid BG.
Thanks and have a good week,
Cheers,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2386 W: 94 N: 5517] (17564)
  • [2009-03-29 3:11]

Hello Janice,
Beautiful photo of this New Zealand Scaup. Excellent sharpness, POV and composition. Beautiful natural colours, also in the water. Our Greater Scaup also got a golden eye (see my photo of last week).
Regards,
Peter

Nice Canon lens here Janice...Looks like an interesting day for shooting in unusual light..not sunny and maybe just a swift of clouds...can you feel it coming:-)?
Bob

Ciao Janice, lovely bird with splendid yellow eye, fantastic reflections, good details and great sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2009-03-29 10:34]
  • [+]

Hello Janice!

Good to see another duck straight from NZ! Looks like Donald Duck wih very happy face and yellow eye. Water looks fantastic too!

Looks like Spring finally arrived to our place - I'm really happy!

hello Janice
great details of the duck
beautiful sharpness
super golden eyes
great shot
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-03-29 13:30]

Hi Jane,not easy to have a sharpness like that in this terrible water's background! You manage very well this pic,excellent work,my best compliments,have a nice week,Luciano

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-03-29 19:38]

Hola Janice.
Hermosa foto. Bellos colores los de esta pato en negro. La gotas de agua hacen mejor aun la imagen.
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2009-03-30 10:13]

Janice, I like the shot with the reflection on the water. Ripples causing a good effect here. Ganesh

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