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Of fall & winter


Of fall & winter
Photo Information
Copyright: Radu Xplorator (Xplorator) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 724 W: 58 N: 1540] (7604)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon CP 8800
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-03-08 4:50
Viewed: 1344
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This was the most amazing bird I encountered in my trip to Tierra del Fuego, a bird I knew nothing about before, the upland goose (Chloephaga picta) known as "cauquen" by the locals.
While it looks they might be two different species rather a goose and a duck, they are the same specie, the male is snow white and large while a more delicate female has a cappucinno brown dress with mocha spots.
The amazing thing about them is their HIGH FIDELITY, the most monogamous animal i've ever seen. You can encounter them everywhere in the austral lands of south America, ranging from a couple to very large numbers, by the hundreds or even more perhaps, however you will never encounter a couple more than one meter away from each other, ever, we even made bets as we trekked Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, we always with no exception saw them cuddling and feed each other gently and if we got too close they flu away in perfectly choreography. It is conforting to realise such thing does exist, isnt it?
On the other hand funny enough, my friend and local guide, Berto, who happens to be very knowledgeable of the local flora & fauna said (in Spanish of course...)to me:
"Radu, these birds are so human, if the female dies her mate commits suicide (dont ask me how...) and if the guy dies first the lovely lady moves on and pick a younger male" . Aside from that these birds stick together like me and trouble... :)
loot, scottevers7, manyee, thistle, sandpiper2, saguzar, SelenE, emka has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To SelenE: re:Xplorator 1 08-07 15:48
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5682 W: 598 N: 3355] (8931)
  • [2006-03-08 5:42]

Hi Radu
Great composition with this to ducks in the foreground and as BG you have those lovely deep colours of the mountain, accentuating the birds just beautifully. By the way, thanks for introducing me to these ducks as well.
The focus is real sharp with crisp details on the birds and all the way to the mountains. The high contrast situation between the dark areas and the bright areas had cost you some burnout in the snow, but I do not believe that to be of major concern in this specific photo as the emphasis is not so much on the landscape as such. For that same reason your informative notes make mention of the birds and not of the landscape.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Salut Radu
C'est une très belle prise de vue. Magnifique paysage en plus deux superbes oiseaux en prime. Belle composition , belles couleurs, beau cadrage
Bravo et merci...JP

Hi Radu,
Amazing shot! The exposure is perfect with the great colors and detail. DOF and clarity rock! This one goes in the WOW! catagory.
Scott

  • Great 
  • omra (292)
  • [2006-03-08 7:55]

Olá Radu, muito bonita e enquadramento excelente, estes também eu não conhecia.
obrigado

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3065 W: 231 N: 5834] (19602)
  • [2006-03-08 11:03]

Very good looking pair indeed. Interesting dimorphism in this species. Great notes, Radu. I always enjoy your unique mix of facts and personal commentaries. The BG of the mountains is impressive as well. TFS. : )

Excellent shot showing the natural environment of these really nice looking upland geese. :)

Hello Radu, it's a lovely picture of this two. It has great POV, the mountain in BG adds a lot. The details and framing are very good. I like it, very well done!

Great one Radu. Excellent composition, useful note.

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2006-03-11 3:19]

Great photo Radu: the contrast between the blue and brown and the composition are perfect.
José Miguel

Hi Radu,
I love this image. Great landscape and composition. The light, colors and details are very well. But I think that the stars are the geese couple.
TFS
Hernán

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2304 W: 59 N: 3674] (11774)
  • [2006-08-07 3:14]
  • [3] [+]

"these birds are so human, if the female dies her mate commits suicide (dont ask me how...) and if the guy dies first the lovely lady moves on and pick a younger male"... :o)))) Thank you for this interesting note, it made me laugh a lot :o))

This is a wonderful capture with both the beauty of the landscape and the birds. TFS

  • Great 
  • emka (39)
  • [2007-10-25 12:00]

Hi Radu

Beautiful photo of those geese, with wonderful mountains behind. Big herds of them live in Torres del Paine in Chile and in El Calafate, Argentina. Very well done. Regards

Malgorzata

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