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Clear Off, Man!
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Jean Michel Peers (JeanMichel)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 633 W: 87 N: 938]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (2864) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-03-23 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Camera: Sony DSC-F717, Zeiss 2/9,7-48,5 |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/500 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-03-23 8:41 |
| Viewed: 1271 |
| Points: 18 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Swans are not nesting yet, but I guess they start to think about it :-). I found a couple on the river today, quietly grazing on the bank. But the male didn't want me to approach too much. I know they can be aggressive. He just let me take one shot and clear off!
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CYGNUS OLOR - Cygne tuberculé (F) - Mute Swan (UK/US) - Höckerschwan (D) - Cisne vulgar (E) - Knobbelzwaan (NL).
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE.
British Isles, north central Europe and north central Asia. They have been successfully introduced in North America, where they are a widespread species and permanent residents in many areas.
HABITAT
Mute swans are the most common swans in the wild, in parks or on country estates in their native range.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Mass: 9 to 13 kg. Length: 144 to 158 cm. Wingspan: 2 to 2.50 m.
The two sexes are alike in appearance, except that males are generally larger than females. The plumage is white. They are best distinguished from North American swans by the knob at the base of the upper bill, and the color of the bill itself, which is orange, with the tip and base colored black.
REPRODUCTION
Adults are not paired for life, according to a common thinking. However, established pairs are more successful breeders than non-established pairs and mute swans do form monogamous pairs for at least a season.
5 to 7 eggs, incubation 36-38 days. The male may often take the first-hatched cygnet to the water while the female continues to incubate the remaining eggs. They are able to fly in about 60 days.
LONGEVITY
The greatest age recorded for a banded mute swan was 19 years. In captivity, they have lived 30 to 40 years.
BEHAVIOUR
There is no mass migration, though in winter there may be gatherings numbering more than 100 individuals in open salt water. When swimming, a mute swan holds its neck in a graceful curve with the bill pointing downward, as opposed to other swans, which carry their bills level and necks erect. Top flight speed is 50 to 55 mph.
FOOD HABITS
The diet of mute swans consists of aquatic vegetation, and small proportions of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs.
COMMUNICATION AND PERCEPTION
Mute swans have keen vision and hearing. Mute swans are usually silent, as the name suggests. But the sound of the wings during flight, which has been described as a musical throbbing or humming, is very audible. They also use visual displays as a form of communication, such as postures. For example, in an aggressive posture, males often arch their secondary wing feathers over the back. When menaced, they can become dangerous for children.
Information exerpts from this site
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Taken in the morning. Focal lenght 120mm. Cropped, levels, USM. |
red45, marhowie, carper, Janice, Runnerduck, deud, Luc has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- red45
(30243)
- [2005-03-23 9:39]
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Yes, very adequate title Jean Michel! This swan looks little angry for paparazzi! Beautiful light and exposure, good pose. Great job!
Jean, Very nice shot. A unique POV/pose that is not the ordinary take..Very good exposure of the whites. An excellent note also, Well done!
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- carper
(8424)
- [2005-03-23 10:18]
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Fantastic swan shot Jean Michel,
the photo looks agrisive to me. fantastic composition, very good pof, very good colours, I like it a lot. Good job. Gr. Jaap
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- manyee
(21078)
- [2005-03-23 13:40]
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A very interesting point of view. The lighting is good also. To me, he does not look angry or aggressive, but rather intent with a goal in mind. Great shot, Jean.
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- Janice
(18648)
- [2005-03-23 15:14]
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This looks like one angy swan Jean Michel. I wouldn't want to get in his way. Excellent capture - you were lucky to get this one photo. Well done.
Your right they are aggressive. At the pond I visit, they don't mind me but are constantly fighting with the juvenille swans and the Canadian Geese, in fact the Geese get a real hard time, today one was literally chased around the pond - which is huge!
You were very brave to fight your corner and stand up to this one.
Well done & TFS
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- jossim
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(12252) - [2005-03-23 22:08]
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On dirait une grose bête obèse, vraiment amussant de la voir. Bonne prise de vue avec de belles couleurs.
Félicitations et bonne journée.
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- deud
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2372) - [2005-04-02 1:10]
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nice shot. i like the water drops on swan's body.
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- Luc
(14733)
- [2005-04-25 21:03]
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J'ai bien hâte de jeter mon dévolu visuel sur votre prochain envoi, Jean-Michel.
J'ai connu des oies plus redoutables que les meilleurs chiens de garde et ce cygne me fait penser à elles. Et lorsque je dis oies, je parle des vraies, celles avec des plumes!
Merci bien.
