Ardea alba

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Ardea alba
Photo Information
Copyright: Livio Soares de Medeiros (livios) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2309 W: 324 N: 4312] (16848)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-12
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM, Hoya 77mm UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-12 22:37
Viewed: 1412
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Great Egret (Ardea alba), also known as the Great White Egret, White Heron, or Common Egret, is a wading egret, found in most of the tropical and warmer temperate parts of the world, although it is very local in southern Europe and Asia. It is called Kotuku in New Zealand. It should not be confused with the Great White Heron, which is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron found in Florida.

The Great Egret is a large bird, 101 cm long and weighing 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or Grey Herons. It has all white plumage. Apart from size, it can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet. It also has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a conspicuous species, usually easily seen.

The Great Egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with cold winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest. The call at breeding colonies is a loud croaking "krrrk".

Although generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in New Zealand. In North America, large numbers of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. This bird has been chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent birds from being killed for their feathers. They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotuku)
Janice, nick27, ppmiranda, tiklod, jaycee, cecilia, marhowie, vanderschelden, JoseMiguel, mesquens has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3337 W: 144 N: 5637] (16707)
  • [2007-10-12 23:44]

Hi Livio, this is a wonderful capture of this beautiful bird. He looks so elegant in flight - so stream-lined - Well done. Seeing it is highly endangered in New Zealand, I don't really expect to see one here, so thank you for sharing,
Janice

Hi Livio,
This is such a great photo. the bird is sosharp and the composition is amazing.
TFS,
Nick :-)

Hi Livio
very nice light conditions bringing out each single white feather
great
tfs
tom

Eu achei maravilhosa essa sua foto, onde a gente pode observar com detalhes a ave em pleno vôo.

  • Great 
  • arunk Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 27 W: 0 N: 20] (270)
  • [2007-10-13 4:57]

Hi

Nice capture ! composition also good

Regards
Arun krishnaiah

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2070 W: 214 N: 3532] (11778)
  • [2007-10-13 6:57]

Hi Livio

Another sunning bird shot from you, my friend and also a charming composition here with this lovely great egret so gracefully flying on to that beautiful blue sky.
The deteails of your photo are impeccable and the colors are superb, thanks to a great exposure.
Beautifully done!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  •      
  • tiklod Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 299 W: 77 N: 891] (3361)
  • [2007-10-13 7:44]

HI Livio,
Excellent details and focus on this beautiful wings plumage! Great colours... :-)
Thanks,
(PTS TOMORROW)

Claude

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1265 W: 103 N: 4302] (19435)
  • [2007-10-13 9:16]

Hello Livio, what a great in-flight shot ! Perfect exposure, good composition, sharp image and a very good background ! Well done my friend !

Mario

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4021] (13255)
  • [2007-10-13 10:38]

Hi Livio,

A wonderful capture of this Egret in flight. Beautiful colors and wonderful lighting. The details are so fine that we see the face well and the wings are just amazing. I love the position of the legs with the bit of sky inbetween.

Jane

Ola Livio,
Excelente,muito bom,parabens.
Abracos.
Ralf

Superb image - excellent inflight shot.
Cecilia

Hi Livio,
You've captured the full wing-spread form and graceful soaring flight pose very well mf. Clear detail with very good exposure, DOF, and colors..
Howard

Hello Livio,
Good in flight Great egret.
Well done
TFS
Annick

Hi Livio,
This is a very beautiful image!
I like the way you caught the bird's wings full extended, and the nice transparencies on their feathers.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

Olá Livio,
É bom dar uma repassada na sua galeria, pois sempre há belas fotos com esta garça.
Por trás da aparente simplicdade há um grande domínio da técnica e da expressão estética.
Luz, cores, ângulo e nitidez, tudo perfeito.
Parabéns,
Raimundo

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