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Scaup


Scaup
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: 2006-07-15
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Winter Holiday Campervan Trip 2006
Date Submitted: 2006-07-19 0:41
Viewed: 1776
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
New Zealand Scaup (papango, Aythya novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand Scaup are a small blackish diving duck endemic to New Zealand. They are usually found on deep lakes. They are rarely found on coastal lakes or rivers.

Formerly quite widespread, their range and numbers have declined due to habitat modification, shooting and predation. They have not been recorded on offshore islands.

Scaup dive to at least 3m to forage on aquatic plants and invertebrates.

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.

Scaup in the Sanctuary: The first pair of scaup was released in the Sanctuary in May 2002 at the upper lake, the young birds coming from Wellington Zoo. They thrived and bred successfully in their first year at the Sanctuary, producing 6 ducklings in early December. This is probably the first time scaup have ever bred in the wild in Wellington because suitable habitat would have been absent before the artificial lakes were developed.

Following on from this success, four more young scaup from Wellington Zoo have been released at the upper lake in 2003 and more releases may be undertaken in future if appropriate.

The above obtained from http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/restoration/wetlands/scaup/scaup.html

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 3:03 p.m.
Date: 15th July 2006
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/160
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 235mm
ISO: 100
External Flash: Canon 580EX Speedlite
Support: Hand Held
Original file type: Digital Raw
red45, dew77, Kaszek, wallhalla15, elefantino, Anton, Janice, pilonm, ellis49, Adam73, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pam, great shot. The subject is very crisp and well focused, right down to the water drops on the duck’s back. The UV filter obviously makes a difference. Good composition, well done.
Regards
Patrick

Hi Pam,
Crisp and clear image. The water is very still. I almost mistaken as a painting. Excellent picture. TFS
JC

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2006-07-19 2:23]

Bonjour Pam!

Bravo pour ce portrait,les couleurs sont justes et la netteté bonne. j

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2006-07-19 4:23]

Hi Pam!
Another very nice portrait of Donald Duck. I like grey mood of picture, yellow eye is only one spot of brigter colours and it is perfectly composed. Frame and reflection in water looks very good.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-07-19 4:32]

Hello Pam,
Excellent capture.POV,reflections on water,details,framing and composition are wonderful.
TFS...:-)

Hello Pam, excllent colors, Bg, POV DOF Perfect details very crisp, Great Job, TFS Kyle

Hi Pam,
Just time for a very quick visit.
Nice shot. Thanks for posting.

Hi Pam!
Perfect photo of this duck. I like this mirror reflections and yellow eyes.
Outstanding sharpness, nice colours.
TFS!

Very nice image of this NZ Scaup. I've only ever seen this bird once, and it was in Christchurch, by chance.
I love the reflection and the mood. The water droplets really add a nice compositional touch.
I think I might like to see a little more of the left side of the frame cropped off. It is kind of dead space and it forces the head into the dead center of the frame, which is something I like to avoid where practical.

  • Great 
  • Scott Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 224 W: 0 N: 316] (1540)
  • [2006-07-19 11:30]

Pam,

Another fine photograph. Exposure is great, thanks for the note.

Scott

Pam, this is a great photo. Great colours, excellent sharpness and POV. This is a very nice composition. TFS.
Gr.
Heinz

Hi Pam, great shot with an amazing reflections.

Andrea

Excelent focus and details with a nice light.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-07-19 22:38]

Hi Pam

Lovely shot of this scaup.The detail is amazing ,I love the droplets , and the reflection on the water is beautiful.Colours are deep and rich.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-07-20 4:46]

Super reflection Pam, and he/she is nice and sharp too. I love the yellow eyes, yes, I can see 2 of them. Well done,
Janice

Hi Pam,
it's a lovely duck you have captured.
The composition, POV and details are good.
Well done.

I hope you don't freeze in the snow;-))

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 548 W: 90 N: 871] (2919)
  • [2006-07-21 12:29]

Hello again Pam,

Excellent picture of this duck with its own reflection on water. You got a good pov and did a nice composition. I like the little droplets on its feathers! Details are superb also. Thanks also for the good note. Maybe the only thing is about the frame: the frames you are using for your pictures are excellent but could be fantastic if you remove this little thin black line at the bottom and at the right. But maybe your software cannot do that. Great work, Pam and TFS,

Michel

(I missed points! So I will return tomorrow :-)

  • Great 
  • OzBY Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 182 W: 2 N: 312] (1085)
  • [2006-07-23 3:52]

Hi Pam,
Excellent picture of this duck.
Great sharpness and color.
Great composition and BG.

Oz

Perfect exposure shows excellent detail with a beautiful reflection to go along with it. Very nicely done Pam. :)

  • Great 
  • Adam73 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 5 N: 522] (2251)
  • [2006-07-31 11:14]

Very nice shot. Nice crisp details on the body, nice lighting and composition is great. May be a tad bit of camera shake on the eye.

Cool shot Pam,
Great reflection, color, detail, DOF, and the dark plumage is exposed nicely :)
Very well done.

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