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Pied Oystercatcher


Pied Oystercatcher
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: 2005-08-19
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
Theme(s): Interacting birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-09-02 3:43
Viewed: 1466
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Oystercatcher

Two species of this wader occur in New Zealand-the South Island pied oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus finschi), which is only subspecifically different from the European bird, and the variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor), which is a species found only in New Zealand. The South Island pied oystercatcher breeds only in the South Island; the variable oystercatcher breeds in North, South, Stewart, and Chatham Islands.

In spite of its scientific name, the variable oyster-catcher (as its common name suggests) may occur in pied or black plumage or in a range of plumages intermediate between these two. It was originally named after the black phase and before it was realised that its other colour phases all belonged to the same species. The South Island pied oyster-catcher, on the other hand, has a constant pied plumage and is noticeably smaller than the variable oystercatcher. Totally black and intermediate mottled forms of the variable oystercatcher will not easily be confused with the South Island pied oystercatcher, but the pied form may be, for it is almost as white below as the South Island pied oystercatcher and also has a white rump. The boundaries between its black and white areas are, however, not so precise below, and there is a mottled band on the leading edges of its underwing surfaces. Its white rump patch is only a band across the base of the tail instead of a broad wedge extending to the middle of the back, as in the South Island pied oystercatcher. And, finally, the white bars on the backs of its wings, as seen in flight, are short and narrow instead of long and broad.

In both species the sexes are very similar in appearance, except that the females are a little bigger than the males. There are differences in behaviour between the two species: the South Island pied oystercatcher breeds inland mainly on shingly river beds; the variable oystercatcher breeds on coastal sand dunes. The South Island pied oystercatcher breeds earlier than the variable and is mainly a migrant, moving to the mudflats of Auckland and Northland in winter, whereas the variable oystercatcher is predominantly sedentary.

The above obtained from http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/O/Oystercatcher/Oystercatcher/en

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 10:40 a.m.
Date: 19th August 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/500
F-Stop: F/6.7
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw
red45, Janice, ddg, wallhalla15, marhowie, Signal-Womb, twin, dew77, chouette has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pam,
A beautiful photograph of these oystercatcher !!
Colors and POV are excellent. Sharp is great.
Good note, very interesting.
Nico.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-09-02 4:44]

Hi Pam!

These birds look little funny for me ;-) Like crowd of old and annoying ladies in caffe ;-) Good composition and framing, you catched nice scene here.

Hey Pam,

I can't beleive that you got so close to these guys. You must be better looking than me cause when they see me they run like the wind. Lovely shot --- well done.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-09-02 6:29]

Hi Pam, I love seeing these birds on the beaches, especially when they have a nest hidden close by, and they try and fool you that it isn't there.
These look like they are standing around waiting for things to happen, maybe for the surf to get up. Interesting poses and good details. Well done.
Looks like a good weekend for the zooooo!!

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2005-09-02 7:53]

Belle présentation, la netteté et la lumière sont parfaites.

Félicitations !

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2005-09-02 8:54]

Hello Pam, very well composition. These birds are expressives, very well done and TFS Didier.

Pam, excellent capture. Great composition and nice sharp detail. Excellent DoF too. Very well done.

Hello Pam, Nice "group" photo! Very well exposed with great details and colors. I like your POV and BG of sea with the sand FG. Interesting seabird, TFS! Well done.

  • Great 
  • Dom Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 13 W: 4 N: 28] (94)
  • [2005-09-02 14:52]

Very nice image Pam ! " The Beach Bad Boys " came in my mind when I saw your image ;) Thanks for the view !
Dom :)

Yes Pam I like this group photo, love the horizontal framing and land/sea composition. Well done.

  • Great 
  • twin Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 252 W: 17 N: 494] (3255)
  • [2005-09-02 19:47]

interesting and beautiful birds... seems that, they care about nothing, just going on their daily life...
good shot with a nice light..
congratulations

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6166] (21070)
  • [2005-09-03 2:45]

Hey, Pam. Great shot of these oystercatchers. We do not have that species here. We have the Black Oystercatcher. I love their long bright beaks. Interesting scene with all these birds just hanging out at the beach. Well done and TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-09-03 6:04]

Hello Pam!
Wonderful capture.Lighting,POV,framing and composition are excellent.TFS...:-)

Hi Pam,
I like this photo! Good composition and details. Nice POV. Colors are beautiful. I like your framing too. TFS
Helene

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