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Kotuku
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Looking through my archives I came across my images from our 2005 South Island holiday. This beautiful White Heron was a cherished find. I have learnt a lot about photography since I took this photo! Thanks for looking.
White Heron (Maori Name: Kotuku)
Scientific Name: Egretta alba modesta
Conservation Status: Endangered
Habitat: Lake edges, ponds and marshes throughout New Zealand, also in Australia.
Unique Features: The kotuku is recognised by its white feathers particularly the large, dorsal plumes, known as ospreys, which are only present during breeding season.
Social Behaviour: In August the adult birds arrive at the one breeding colony in Okarito in South Westland. They take part in elaborate courtship displays and after breeding the birds re-disperse throughout the country.
Diet: Kotuku will eat fish, frogs and water-living invertebrates from the marsh areas and can snap up small birds or mammals found near the water.
Reproduction: They will pair in spring and take turns to incubate the 2-5 pale blue eggs. Young hatch after 25 days and fledge at about 6 weeks of age.
Life Cycle: Kotuku can reach a considerable age in captivity, but due to their threatened status, life in the wild is much shorter.
Relatives: Kotuku are also found in Australia, and there are closely related subspecies worldwide.
Interesting Facts:
* There are only around 15 breeding pairs left in New Zealand, and their only breeding ground is at Okorito in South Westland.
* The kotuku was nearly wiped out in the 1870's as European settlers used the feathers for hats.
Breeding Programme: Wellington Zoo has the only breeding pair in captivity in New Zealand.
Environmental Conditions: The kotuku has always been one of New Zealand's rarest birds, although it is also found in India, China, Japan and Australia.
The above obtained from http://www.wellingtonzoo.com/animals/animals/natives/kotuku.html
IMAGE INFORMATION
Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 4:57 p.m.
Date: 24th August 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/15
F-Stop: F/4.5
Focal Length: 150mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw |
Alex99, uleko, gypsygirl58, novaman, Debz has marked this note useful
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- Alex99
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(18533) - [2007-04-20 5:00]
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Hi Pam.
What an amazing specimen you have captured. What a fluffy heron with amazing costume. Excellent reproduction of its beauty. Damped up and well blurred BG is very impressive and highlights all advantages of this wonderful bird. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.
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- uleko
(2789)
- [2007-04-20 5:26]
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Hello Pam,
What a beautiful and interesting specimen you're presenting here. I like your POV and details are amazingly sharp of the beautiful plumage. It also stands out very nicely against the dark background. Great shot!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla
Hi Pam,
Wonderful image of this heron! I love the fluffy white feathers which stand out beautifully against the dark background. A lovely speciman, well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)
Hi,Pam.Excellent beautiful fluffy heron you captured, good POV and BG.
TFS, Anders.
Hi Pam.
Very pretty shot. Excellent white. Very good tones and crop, excellent patient to wait for him. Well done. tfs. Stev
PT
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- Debz
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 516 W: 0 N: 846]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(3307) - [2007-04-21 18:59]
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Hi Pam, a beautiful White Heron, very majestic. You have captured it well with a great POV showing great detail in the feathers, light and colours very good.
tfs
debz
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 29 W: 0 N: 9]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-n.gif)
(376)![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 276 W: 11 N: 411]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(1789)