Photos: Earth >> Asia >> India >> South >> Kerala >> KODANAD

Register

  << Previous Next >>

Pond Heron in Breeding Plumage


Pond Heron in Breeding Plumage
Photo Information
Copyright: Smitha Komath (smitha) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 285 W: 77 N: 920] (3485)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Nikkor 80-400mmD ED AF VR
Exposure: f/8, 1/750 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-08 14:14
Viewed: 516
Points: 29
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Paddy bird or Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii is an egret like marsh bird of earthy brown colour when at rest, but with the glistening white wings, tails and rump flashing into prominence in its flight. In breeding season it acquires maroon hair like plumes on back and long white occipital crest.Sexes are alike.

They are seen singly or in loose parties at ponds, marshes etc. It stands hunched up at the water's edge watching patiently for movement and jabbing at the quarry when oppertunity offers. it eats frogs, fish, tadpoles, insects, crabs, etc.

It is very diificult to identify a pond heron standing in the midst of a paddy field.Most of the times it's only after it flies off that one becomes aware of its presence.
MMM, coasties, gypsygirl58, Debz 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: Thank yousmitha 2 05-11 03:30
To uma_k5: Thanks.smitha 1 05-09 10:57
To ramthakur: Thank yousmitha 1 05-09 07:22
To gannu: Hismitha 1 05-09 07:14
To coasties: Thankssmitha 1 05-08 23:11
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 787 W: 0 N: 1581] (7260)
  • [2007-05-08 14:20]

Hello Smitha
Very nice capture of that Heron.I like all the details that we can see on the bird including that sharp eye.Also very nice BG and POV.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1883 W: 245 N: 6168] (21966)
  • [2007-05-08 14:22]

Hi Smitha,
great capture and a good composition.
Well done,
Joey

Hi Smitha

The focus is a little soft, especially around the head, but a good shot showing the lovely breeding plumage. TFS.

wow, great great great bird and capture.

tfs,
Lucian

Smitha,

You have captured the Pond Heron with the colorful breeding plumage very well.

Regards,
Murali Santhanam

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 620 W: 11 N: 625] (3390)
  • [2007-05-09 2:56]

Very nice shot of Pond Heron,good plumage details.

Hi Smitha,
Great capture of this Heron! I love the colours of this one, so different from the ones round my area. Well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 4 N: 2570] (11874)
  • [2007-05-09 3:45]
  • [+]

Smitha, Lovely catch and nice background. Did you shoot this in kerala in Kodanadu? I am looking forward to this visit. TFS Ganesh

This is a marvellous picture of a Pond Heron, Smitha.
The focus is quite sharp and the blurred foreground and background lend the picture great charm.
This bird has a lovely plumage which has been captured very well in this picture.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2765 W: 150 N: 7969] (24819)
  • [2007-05-09 5:12]
  • [+]

Hello Smitha,
Though I have seen many Paddy Birds while I was in Goa, I have never seen one in breeding plumage. This is a fine capture showing one in its full splendour with good sharpness and set in a good composition with fine OOF BG.
Thanks for sharing this one,
Best wishes, Ivan

Hello Smitha
Very nice shot of this Pond Heron,
Perfect lighting and composition,
Great POV and DOF,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

Hi Smitha,
Lovely shot! Usually at this time, the heron's legs turn red or pink, but that doesn't seem to have happened in this case. TFS.
Cheers,
Uma

Hi Smitha,

Please forgive me, I have no time today for a proper effort today, but I still like the image. Thanks for sharing.

Jan-Hendrik

I'll come back to give the points, I promise.

Hello Smitha,
Nice photo of this Pond Heron. Good composition, POV, sharp and BG. The colour-tones are a bit soft.
TFS,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-11-13 0:59]

Hello Smitha, excellent shot of this Pond Heron. He is very colourful and has an intersting beak. Very well exposed with great focus and detail and sharpness wonderful. Great catch light on the eye, all set in a nice natural environment.
tfs
debz

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF