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Saddleback


Saddleback
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3815 W: 505 N: 8095] (27712)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Winter Holiday Campervan Trip 2006
Date Submitted: 2006-09-12 4:25
Viewed: 1615
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Image taken in a free flight aviary at Orana Wildlife Park. I apologise for the plastic feeder. Thanks for looking.

Saddleback

Maori Name: Tieke (pronounced tea-eh-keh)
Common Name: North Island Saddleback
Latin Name: Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater
Family: Wattlebird
Status: Rare, endemic

* Found only in New Zealand, tieke is one of 3 species of the endemic family of wattlebirds. The others are the kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni), which is also endangered, and the huia (Heteralocha acutirostris), which became extinct about 100 years ago, with the last confirmed sighting in 1907.

* There are two subspecies of saddleback, the North Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) and the South Island saddleback (P. c. carunculatus).

* Once widespread, tieke, like many other New Zealand birds, proved highly vulnerable to bush clearance and the introduction of pest predators such as rats, cats and mustelids, and rapidly declined in numbers in the mid to late 1800s. The last reported sighting of saddleback in the North Island was in 1910.

* North Island tieke became extinct everywhere except Hen Island (near Whangarei), and all surviving birds owe their existence to successful transfers from this island to other offshore islands such as Cuvier and Stanley Islands.

* The total population in 2004 is estimated at c.5000, with birds now found on nine islands such as Kapiti, Little Barrier, Tiritiri Matangi and Mokoia Island (in Lake Rotorua).

* Saddleback had until recently been extinct on the mainland for close to 100 years. Transfers have now been undertaken to two mainland sites. The first transfer was to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in 2002. Following this successful transfer, tieke were transferred from Cuvier Island and released in September 2004 into Boundary Stream (Hawke's Bay), an unfenced mainland island managed by the Department of Conservation.

The North Island Saddleback was on the verge of extinction until captive breeding programmes and subsequent release to predator-free islands eased the pressure on them. Saddlebacks forage over the tree trunks and on the ground looking for small insects. Saddlebacks were highly regarded by Maori and seeing one on the eve of battle was considered a good omen.

The above obtained from http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/restoration/forest/tieke/tieke_facts.html

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 1:50 p.m.
Date: 15th July 2006
Weather conditions: Inside Free Flight Aviary
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: F/5
Focal Length: 235mm
ISO: 100
External Flash: Canon 580EX Speedlite
Support: Hand Held
Original file type: Digital Raw
uleko, ralfsworld, marhowie, goutham_ramesh, Argus, aido, jcoowanitwong, scottevers7, urs0114, liquidsunshine, emifoto has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2006-09-12 5:36]

Interesting to see this species of wattlebird endemic to New Zealand. An excellent shot showing the details.
TFS, Ulla

Hello Pam,
As usual a quality pic.
However I'm a bit puzzled about a few things:
1 You mentioned it in your note...the plastic feeder
and the ring
2 As you have a focal length of 235mm, what is the purpose of the flash. What about its effectiviness?

Number 2 is not really a critique, it is more a question...

TFS
Annick

Nice documentary shot with interesting Note, Pam!
TFS
Ralf

Hi Pam,
Very distinctive blackbird with it's brown and red trimmins'..
Excellent sharpness, detail, exposure, POV, and DOF.
Great use of ISO 100 :)
And the tray..well..apologies accepted ;-}
See you later,
Very well done.

Bellissima foto. complimenti ciao gigicacco

Dont worry about the plastic feeder :-). Its ans excellent shot with great details, the colors on the bird is amazing
TFS
Goutham R

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-09-12 20:00]

Another great shot, never heard of this one before. Good clear shot with great detail and texture in the feathers. Can't believe that we manage to nearly wipe out even something as unassuming as this little fella. Good post.
Cheers,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3065 W: 231 N: 6160] (21048)
  • [2006-09-12 22:09]

Wow, Pam, I have never seen this bird before.
Thanks for the introduction.
Wonderful POV showing off the color scheme in his plumage.
Very intereting pattern. Sharp details and excellent exposure.
I really like the red patch below the beak. It really stands out against the black feathers.
TFS. : )

Hello Pam, nice shot of a bird I've never seen.
Good compoa nd light on the eye.
Usefull notes.

Andrea

Hello Pam,
Superb quality picture. Sharpness, pov, dof are great. So the name of Saddleback came from that brown patch on the back. Very well done. TFS.
JC

Hi Pam,
A very nice shot on this Saddleback. The fill flash exposure was perfect here. The colors and detail look excellent. Good job with the detail in the plumage. Nice camera work.
Scott

NIce bird with interesting biolgy and perfect shot!

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2006-09-13 18:05]

Very well done Pam, great bird, superbly photographed. Great blurred background.

Thanks,

Mario

Bonsoir Pam.
Parfaite maîtrise des couleurs et de la netteté dans cette image de nature. Bon travail
Urs

Hello Pam,
The details are nice, clear and sharp.
superb colours, lighting and exposure. The POV is good.
Well composed. The plastic feeder isn't overly distracting.
Thanks for posting, have a great weekend.

Ciao Pam, Bellissimi colori e dettagli. ottima scelta dello stop 5/f. Lo sfondo mette in risalto l'uccello.

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