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White Faced Heron


White Faced Heron
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 503 N: 8087] (27684)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 400, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-05-20 3:36
Viewed: 880
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
White Faced Heron (Ardea n. novaehollandiae)

Also known as: Blue crane. - Native, self introduced.

Physical characteristics: Size to 66cm. Male and female alike.

Distinguishing features: General colouration blue-grey with white face and throat. Yellow-green eyes. Dark grey-black beak. Olive-green feet. Breeding plumage: Long wispy blue-grey feathers develop on back, the upper breast feathers lengthen and become browner. Legs and feet acquire a pinkish tinge.
Flight is strong and leisurely, rapidly gaining height.

Habitat and range: Widespread throughout New Zealand. Originally an Australian bird, the white-faced heron has migrated outwards in a northerly and easterly direction. Inhabits freshwater wetlands, coastal areas, rivers and farm ponds. The bird was occasionally sighted in New Zealand in the 1800's but was not confirmed to be breeding here until 1941.

Habits: The white-faced heron often perches with its head tucked in. When searching for food, the bird wades through shallow water pausing regularly to 'foot rake'. It will stretch out a leg and drag its foot back and forth rapidly in order to disturb small fish and invertebrates. Often the heron will hold its wings in a fan-like position to shade the water and cut down on reflection.

Diet: In the wild: Invertebrates (including insects, spiders, worms), molluscs, frogs and tadpoles, some plant matter and to a lesser extent small fish.

Breeding: Peaks in October, depending on distribution.

Nest: A loose platform of sticks at the top of tall trees, near water. Usually nest alone or in a scattered group. Eggs: 3-5 pale blue-green, incubated by both parents for around 25 days.

Chicks: White down. Rivalry amongst the chicks is fierce and generally only two survive to fledge. Fledge at 6 weeks but stay with parents until the next breeding season.

The above obtained from http://www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145829017

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 4:08 p.m.
Date: 29th April 2006
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 400
Original file type: Digital Raw
mrcrow, MikeGray, soccer, marhowie, keanhoon, SkyF, christophe, scottevers7, dew77, BeBe, ellis49, wallhalla15, elefantino, CTP, cherokeechief has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

this belies...400 asa..but i see raw there...and this is something i must get into...your rendition here is so sharp and clear for a 400mm shot...from my perspective anyway..and shows what good equipment well used can do..
the composition is different and refreshing with the bill tilted upwards..and the note useful..
thanks
geof

Hi Pam, really nice detail in this one, you can even see the detail on the beak and the reflection in the eye.
Well done
Regards
Mike

Pam,

A lovely Composition to this pic. The POV, DOF, BG, lighting and detail of subject are all great! TFS,
Sheriff

Hi Pam,
what a clear and a sharp picture, i like the composition a lit, its moist beak tells a story!!
Great capture
TFS
Goutham

  • Great 
  • clack (98)
  • [2006-05-20 8:31]

Nice composition, good sharpness and DOF. I like the simplicity of the colors!

Nice profile shot Pam,
Very sharp and detailed, great exposure..
Very good DOF and POV as well. A different colored BG would make it even better :)
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 0 N: 975] (8383)
  • [2006-05-20 9:30]

Hi Pam,

This heron is razorsharp. The pose is wonderful. This specie is new to me. Thanks for sharing.

regards,
Zeno.

Great potrait and DOF. Unfortunately the BG effect is not smooth, correct me if i am wrong i think that might cause by the conversion of file type and its size.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2006-05-20 10:37]

Very Zen composition, Pam. Great picture with nice subtle colors, a very nice subject beautifuly photographed. Thanks.

Mario

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2244 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-05-20 11:19]

Hi Pam,
a stunning portrait of this heron. Love the pose and POV. Excellent sharpness and details.
TFS..Sky

Hi Pam
Color, details and light are excellent
Regards
Christophe

Hi Pam,
Excellent portrait on this White Face Heron. I really like the unique way you have composed and framed this. Great quality light. Colors and detail are superb. Nice work!

Scott

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-05-20 16:27]

Hello Pam!
Excellent portrait.POV,details,cross framing and composition are wonderful.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • BeBe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 124 W: 0 N: 251] (917)
  • [2006-05-20 17:18]

Hi Pam, excellent sharp picture, the composition and the background are very good, Juan

Hi Pam,
an excellent portrait of this beauty.
The DOF is great, helps the bird to standout nicely from the BG. Very good details, well composed and good exposure.
Great work, my friend.

Hello Pam,
pose is excellent, great work. Very good sharpness, details, colours and composition. Thanks for sharing.
Gr.
Heinz

Hi Pam,
great portrait of this heron!
The eye is amazing,
colors and details are really good.
Andrea

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3059 W: 231 N: 6135] (20978)
  • [2006-05-21 13:44]

Beautiful portrait of that heron, Pam.
I like the angle at which he was holding his head, and your composition with it. Details and colors are fantastic. Great DOF.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • CTP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 774 W: 6 N: 1107] (3183)
  • [2006-05-22 2:06]

Hi Pam,
Excellent Close-up my friend.
I like your excellent sharpness,pov,frame,focus,dof,note,lighting and blurred bg.Well Done.TFS
Chris

  • Great 
  • nofer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1190 W: 367 N: 803] (2230)
  • [2006-10-23 22:40]

Excelente foto. Excelente nitidez. Cores, contraste. POV.
Um ótima composição.
Muito bom!
TFS
Reynaldo

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