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New Zealand's Mountain Parrot


New Zealand's Mountain Parrot
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: South Island Winter Holiday 2005
Date Submitted: 2005-08-26 9:12
Viewed: 2051
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This shot is of the rear view of the Kea with his wings extended as he lands on a rock. It was taken very quickly as they don't fly for very long. They tend to hop around on the ground. Their plumage colours are beautiful especially under the wing where it is bright orange. Thanks for looking.

Kea (New Zealand's Mountain Parrot)

If you are a frequent visitor to or live in an alpine environment you will know the kea well. Raucous cries of "keeaa" often give away the presence of these highly social and inquisitive birds. However, their endearing and mischievous behaviour can cause conflict with people.

Kea (Nestor notabilis) are an endemic parrot of the South Island's high country. Although kea are seen in reasonable numbers throughout the South Island, the size of the wild population is unknown - but is estimated at between 1,000 and 5,000 birds.

To survive in the harsh alpine environment kea have become inquisitive and nomadic social birds - characteristics which help kea to find and utilise new food sources. Their inquisitive natures often cause kea to congregate around novel objects and their strong beaks have enormous manipulative power.

Kea are a protected species.

Kea grow up to 50 cm long and although mostly vegetarian, also enjoy grubs and insects. The kea is related to the forest kaka (Nestor meridionalis) and is thought to have developed its own special characteristics during the last great ice age by using its unusual powers of curiosity in its search for food in a harsh landscape.

Nests are usually found among boulders in high altitude forest where the birds lay between two and four eggs during the breeding season from July and January.

Kea is rated as one of the most intelligent birds in the world.

The above obtained from http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/001~Plants-and-Animals/001~Native-Animals/Kea.asp

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 1:23 p.m.
Date: 26th August 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 150mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw
dew77, odin, ljsugarnspice, seanf, Luc, sAner, liquidsunshine, Comandante, Eko, mjdundee, marhowie, amirsun has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To liquidsunshine: Is it good to be back home?coasties 1 08-27 07:41
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Vicky Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 53 W: 0 N: 94] (468)
  • [2005-08-26 9:34]

Hi Pam,
This couldn't have been at all easy, given the time you had. It's a shame the other one encroached on the shot and the tail is slightly hidden, but under the circumstances, you did a great job. Good clarity and great vision to see the potential in the first place. Well done.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-08-26 9:36]

Hello Pam!
Wonderful capture.Details on wings are amazing.Colors,sharpness and composition are excellent.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • sela Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 39] (704)
  • [2005-08-26 13:13]

Very beautiful and perfect capture.

  • Great 
  • seanf (92)
  • [2005-08-26 13:13]

hi pam
very well captured image. i'm tempted to go all monty python and say 'beautiful plumage' lol. the image is crytal clear and the colours are superb. good shot!
sean

  • Great 
  • nofer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1190 W: 367 N: 803] (2230)
  • [2005-08-26 13:43]

Acabei de ver uma asa aberta nas fotos da Sebnem (Dell77). Como a dela a asa aberta na sua foto está muito boa...
Nitidez, profundidade, cores e ângulo.
Uma excelente foto!!!!
TFS
Reynaldo

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-08-26 14:08]

Perfect pose Pam! And wonderful details and colors. The oof stick covering part of the tail is a bit disturbing, but that's a minor nit. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Wonderful capture Pam,
Perfectly exposed, very clear sharp detail and excellent colours. If only the tail was in full view...
Excellent timing to get the wings fully spread.
Thanks for posting, have a great weekend Pam. Is it good to be back home?

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1494 W: 0 N: 1175] (6494)
  • [2005-08-26 18:49]

Hi Pam,
Excellent details in wings, and very good colour.
TFS!

Hello Pam!
Very nice shot.Details,sharpness and composition are perfect.Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Eko Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 187 W: 10 N: 38] (121)
  • [2005-08-27 5:04]

Hi Pam!
Wonderul action shot.I liked details,framing and composition very much.Thanks for posting.

Hello Pam,

What a caleidoscope of colours.
I knew that there is red and orange but the blue of the wings is also fantastic.

Great job.

;-) Thomas

Great action captured Pam! Really like this wingspread streeetch..Excellent details and beautiful plumage colors seen..Great note, Great shot.

Hi Pam,
I really like this POV with the outstretched wings. It really shows him landing. Fabulous detail on the wings. i really appreciate seeing birds in their natural habitat! Beautifully done!

  • Great 
  • sway Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 85 N: 308] (1224)
  • [2005-08-31 4:24]

HI Pam,
I like how you have captured alll the colours in the Keas wings
Well done
:)

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2005-08-31 7:53]

Belle pose de l'oiseau avec les ailes grand ouvert, on voie bien toutes les belles couleurs de l'oiseau.

Félicitations pour cette belle composition !

This is one of the best shot of a Kea I have ever seen.

Hi Pam!
Very nice shot and great moment, Colours and details are perfect and excellent use of DOF to blured background. Tanks for posting.
Regards
Amir

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