<< Previous Next >>

Andean Flamingo


Andean Flamingo
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1250 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): The Wildlife, Plants and Scenery of Chile [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-18 6:14
Viewed: 1261
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this shot of an Andean Flamingo using the car door as a lense rest. It was taken at Salar de Laco close to the Argentine border (these shots always seem to be close to one border or another, however, the country is only - on average - 180km wide [a little over 100 miles], though 4,300km [2,672miles] from north to south). I visited this salar - or salt lake - 10 years ago and there were few flamingoes - this time there were many more, but not in the massive flocks seen in africa.

The light in this shot is much better - but it was earlier in the day. A few hours conditions were the same as yeterdays' posting.

The Salar itself is really impressive - in the centre is bright green, highly saline water, whilst the edges are dazzling white salt. Together with the colours of the surrounding mountains (see http://www.treknature.com/viewphotos.php?l=5&p=183012 )it made a memorable scene.

There are 3 species of flamingo found in the Andes:- Andean, Chilean and James's (aka Puna Flamingo). They were all present at this salar - though only one sub-adult James's.

The Andean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus) is a bird species in the flamingo family restricted to the high Andes in southern Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. It is closely related to the smaller James's Flamingo, and the two are placed in the genus Phoenicoparrus.

Like all flamingos it lays a single chalky white egg on a mud mound.

Andean Flamingos, like all flamingos, feed by filtering small items from water with their specialised bills. They have a deep, narrow lower mandible, which allows them to eat small foods such as diatoms, in contrast to the wider bill of larger species, which take bigger prey items.

Most of the plumage is pinkish white. The Andean Flamingo is the only species of flamingo that has yellow legs and feet. Its bill is yellowish as in James's Flamingo, but with a much more extensive black tip.

The Andean Flamingo is at risk of extinction because of hunting, its long breeding cycle, and the low number of breeding sites around the world.


I am having a few problems typing at the moment - injured fingers whilst chopping onions - my own fault!!
Argus, CeltickRanger, siggi, nglen, boreocypriensis, ferranjlloret, Alex99, eqshannon, rousettus has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: New SpeciesJamesp 1 01-18 07:11
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3819 W: 190 N: 11368] (35041)
  • [2009-01-18 6:48]
  • [+]

Hello James,
Superb capture of the Andean Flamingo in its natural habitat. Its features are well shown with fine sharpness and lighting. This is a rare species - new for TN?
Hope your fingers heal soon!
TFS and best wishes,
Ivan

hello James

a excellent photography of the Andean Flamingo shot with
very fine POV, DOF and framing, i love that you did not crop
and leaved the vegetations of the foreground on the image,
sharpness and details are excellent, TFS

Asbed
p.s. i wish a fast recovery for your injured fingers

Hi James,
The light and sharpness of the photo are awesome. I like the broken pink reflection and the classic pose. I am not sure if the central placement of the bird was a wise thing to do. It makes the photo static.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1376 W: 56 N: 4736] (16296)
  • [2009-01-18 9:26]

Hello James,
wonderful shot of this flamingo. Very well composed with very nice details and great colors. POV, light and framing is very nice.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2909 W: 34 N: 8636] (32186)
  • [2009-01-18 11:49]

Hi James. This is a fine picture of the lone Flamingo. I love the beautiful colours which you have captured so well . Interesting notes too. Take care of your finger . TFS.
Nick..

Hi Bro James, a wonderful shot of this long legged beauty in a fine composition.
TFS and cheers,

Bayram

wonderful capture and great composition !
very beautiful colours , perfect sharp on bird , nice background and good light ,
well done !
septimiu

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2009-01-19 6:28]

James, Good shot of this flamingo with an excellent sorrounding. Lovely and it seem to be alone. Ganesh (trying cooking?)

Hello James,
Una excelente imágen con una bella luz y un aire precioso de esos altiplanos desérticos.
Gracias por compartir. Best Regards.
Ferran

Beautiful bird! Great composition / perfect colors!

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669] (18533)
  • [2009-02-02 9:27]

Hi James.
I like that you have presented this fine bird with large piece of attractive scenery. Colouration of the water surface, attractive small waves and natural dry vegetation on the bank create wonderful true nature composition. Details of the flamingo are simply terrific. Splendid plumage of the bird is reflected brilliantly. I also like wonderful lighting and very delicate and pleasant for look colour palette of the shot. My greetings and TFS.
Alexei.

Hoping your fingers didn't turn into Flamingo Red or infected, as I have not seen you in a while. This is a fine image...so nice from you and well received as are all of your professional works...and I consider them professional so that means something...maybe becuase I ONCE was a pro but now just hobby around...but I know a pro when I see one!
Bob

nice flamingo species, I would crop out the pic and leave only the flamingo, TFS Ori

Hello James
where are you my friend. I miss your great shots. I hope everything very well.
This is great capture for Andean Flamingo, with great focus, POV, timing and composition. exposure and colors also very nice. Thanks for sharing this beauty with original notes.
I wait your new posts.
best wishes
Ahmet

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF