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Frog Bath


Frog Bath
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 453 W: 58 N: 2111] (6749)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-19
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma EX 500mm f4.5 APO HSM, RAW ISO 800, Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DG 1.4x
Exposure: f/11, 1/800 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-11-08 5:51
Viewed: 622
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This adult Grey Heron was dipping a frog to the water and washing it. I don't think he was doing a favour to this poor frog, instead it was preparing it for his meal. The picture was taken last spring at RSPB Elmley Marshes nature reserve.

From Birdguides:

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

In: Grey Heron Ca: Bernat pescaire Da: Fiskehejre De: Graureiher Es: Garza real Fi: harmaahaikara Fr: Héron cendré It: Airone cenerino Nl: Blauwe Reiger No: Gråhegre Pt: Garça-real Sv: Gråhäger US: Grey Heron Ru: Серая цапля

Identification
Its huge size, pale grey plumage and distinctive shape distinguish it from all other birds. The adult is whiter on the neck than the juvenile and has longer black tufts hanging down its nape.

Habitat
Breeds in woodlands and plantations usually near rivers and estuaries. Winters along rivers, estuaries, lakes and marshes.

Behaviour
Various displays take place at the colonies. Males advertise the nest by arching backwards so the head is above the back but pointing vertically upwards. When a female first arrives at the nest, the male adopts threatening postures, standing as tall as possible and with the neck and crown feathers erect, sometimes recoiling then stabbing the head forward like a snake. Once the female is accepted as a mate, the male makes his gestures as 'unaggressive' as possible, with the bill pointing down and the head so low it may hang below the level of the nest. Thereafter, the pair indulge in greetings ceremonies whenever one or other arrives at the nest. These involve raising and lowering of the wings and plumes.

Migration
There is a great deal of post-breeding dispersal and movement during the winter months, however, the UK population doesn't migrate but does disperse widely. In most other parts of Europe the birds move south and west for the winter, returning in spring.
Nephrotome2, jusninasirun, siggi, jconceicao, uleko, crs, CeltickRanger, rousettus, jaycee, Adanac, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Great capture. I never saw them cleaning anything before. Brilliant composition.
TFS
JM

Hello Pekka. Nice shot at this heron with well seen meal in the mouth. Sharp details in very good framing. Regards. Jusni

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2388 W: 94 N: 5521] (17576)
  • [2008-11-08 6:16]

Hello Pekka,
Great photo in a perfect composition. Excellent scene with the frog. Beautiful natural colours and very sharp. Very good POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1373 W: 56 N: 4723] (16252)
  • [2008-11-08 6:17]

Hello Pekka,
Frog tastes always good !
Excellent capture of the Heron, very goof DOF, clarity of details and natural colors. TFS
Best regards,
Siggi

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-11-08 6:24]

Well at least that's one less frog making that awful croaking!
I guess that's life though.
Very good photo.
I can't believe you kept this in your archives for so long!
Excellent sharpness.
Superb composition.
Great lighting.
I never knew Herons washed their prey before gulping it down... I didn't think they'd bother! :-)

Very well done,
Joe

Hello Pekka,

Fantastic capture.
Nice colours with excellent focus.
Good timing.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2992 W: 162 N: 950] (2789)
  • [2008-11-08 8:11]

Hej Pekka,
Pity about the little spotty frog but the Heron needs some food too, of course! ;-) Great action shot showing fine details and colours. Well composed too.
TFS and have a nice weekend! (I hope it won't be as foggy as it is here!) Ulla

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-11-08 11:37]

Hello Pekka,

This is a nice photo with the bird in it's natural environment. You have captured a good moment with the bird keeping the pray in thebeak. Image is sharp so both bird and frog can be well seen.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hello Pekka,

A very interesting shot in that the heron is eating a frog and also that it is cleaning it first! A great moment to capture!
Very nicely composed with the heron off centre, good textural details of the feathers and a wonderful, green setting to act as a b/g.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

hello Pekka

excellent shot of the life in nature, with very fine POV and framing,
excellent luminosity, great sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed
smileys tomorrow

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 0 N: 403] (1393)
  • [2008-11-08 17:36]

Hi Pekka
Excellent capture in natural environment with great detail.
tfs jon

Hello Pekka

Wonderful moment captured.
the detail in both the bird and frog is excellent.
The lighting is very good and the colours are rich.
Nicely composed,you had a great vantage point to take this from.
Great job.
TFS

Wolf

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2008-11-09 0:49]

Hi Pekka,

A great capture,well composed with good sharpness and colors,I posted a while ago as well a frog captured by a hammerkop in this case,suppose the frog(s) are a delicious meal for some waders,thanks

Paul

bonjour pekka
une tres belle photo avec aussi une belle prise pour ce heron.attention cependant a la surexposition sur le blanc de la tête.
laurent

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-11-09 21:00]

Hello Pekka, You caught the correct moment. Look at the eye and it tells I catch you fella and with superb lighting. Great moment. Ganesh

Hello Pekka
sorry for my silence. Nowadays, I was in field trip and I can visit this great capture now. It is great with focus, POV, composition and also timing when it hunting. Coloration also superb. Thanks for sharing. well done
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-11-10 17:05]

Hi Pekka,

Oh, I missed so many good pictures - can't skip over this one. An amazing shot of this Heron - look at that look in his eye! I didn't think they were so particular as to wash what they were going to eat. The poor little frog as it dangles from the beak. Marvelous colors, clarity and composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2008-11-10 19:39]

Hello Pekka,
Wonderful action captured superbly, with great colors and details. The frog is quit large, a nice meal for this beautiful heron, thank you.
Rick

Hello Pekka,
Cool :)
Always a BIG plus when you can get em' with prey..and the POV could not be better..
Well managed exposure, with great detail/DOF & color.
Love the natural setting here with all that green, and the water FG.
Very well done,
Howard

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