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It's the little things we do


It's the little things we do
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Turvey (liquidsunshine) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1889 W: 112 N: 3371] (11494)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-14
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/250 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-04-27 16:41
Viewed: 3395
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 94
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Asian small clawed otters from Whipsnade.
I know the BG isn't ideal, but I like this little moment between the otters.


Also known as the Oriental Small Clawed Otter or the Malaysian Small Clawed Otter. The Asian Short Clawed Otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring a mere 65-90cm, and hardly ever reaching 5kg. Unlike the Eurasian Otter its front feet are only partially webbed, but it has short claws for digging in the mud and lifting rocks. If you ever get close to an Asian Short Clawed Otter take a look at its front feet closely: they are masters at using these front paws to catch prey, and are the only mammals other than the primates to use these with almost human dexterity. They are very group orientated, and as many as 15 can be seen together although it is more common to find groups of 4-8. Their birdlike squeaks help them to locate each other in the wild, but their social vocabulary goes much further than this and they have developed something like 12 or more different calls.

Research has shown that the groups are composed of a dominant pair together with offspring from successive litters and it is thought that the males and females pair for life. They have large litters of 4 or 5 cubs, and can produce 2 litters per year, with commonly both parents bringing up the young; however, unlike the Eurasian Otter they are not very good at rearing these young.

Asian Short Clawed Otters live in a variety of diverse habitats from mangrove swamps to small streams and marshy areas, searching for crabs and small fish. They are largely nocturnal, returning to the cover of the bankside vegetation during the day.

Troubles exist in Asia for these otters: they are killed for their pelts and for their organs which are believed to have medicinal value. Also there are threats due to pollution and habitat destruction. The activities of many western logging companies result in siltation of the waterways and damage to streams used by these otters.

THE FACTS
Conservation status: Insufficently known. Much information is based on old records and new data is urgently needed.

Diet: Crabs, Molluscs and other bottom living organisms.

Threats: there is still a demand for live specimens for pets and zoos; hunted for furs; habitat destruction is becoming an increasing problem.


Notes taken from www.otter.org

Thanks for looking, have a great end to the week.
dew77, chiliu, aido, jeanpaul, loot, thor68, PDP, Signal-Womb, Fisher, Janice, AndyB, pablominto, coasties, manyee, bartove, Jannie, Dando, marhowie, firelord, SkyF, Robespierre, SunToucher, scottevers7, EOSF1, isa, Athila, sily, zeca, Nephrotome2, Luc, wallhalla15, annagrace, liziafa, TAZ, mhoidal, kojak, mlines has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Fisher: The Three Amigosliquidsunshine 1 04-28 12:10
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1494 W: 0 N: 1175] (6494)
  • [2006-04-27 16:49]

Hi Alan,
Very cute image! Excellent composition with brilliant poses and great POV,
the details are very good and nice natural colours.
Well done and have a nice weekend!

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-04-27 16:59]

Hello Alan,
Nice moment you've caught, a nice shot. It looks almost sepia.
Cheers,
Adrian

Bonjour Alan
Elles sont très jolies ces trois petites loutres.
Les couleurs,lesdétailset la composition tout est beau.
Merci et au revoir....JP

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5451 W: 594 N: 3649] (10029)
  • [2006-04-27 17:23]

Hi Alan
Very well capture of this intimate moment and very well presented.
The composition, POV and cropping is excellent. The colours are great and the DOF is stunning. The BG is well isolated and OOF thereby enhancing the trio so there is nothing to worry about. The exposure was perfectly managed and you made splendid use of the fill-in flash.
Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1312] (5642)
  • [2006-04-27 17:29]

sooooo cute!
wonderful shot, alan! :-)
the looks on their faces and the poses are
really great, excellent composition of the
three furry friends.
well done & take care, thor.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2006-04-27 18:41]

Hello Alan, good shot. Lovely poses. The composition is very nice and it's an all round good shot. Well done.

Hello Alan, very nice capture of this touching scene. Good detail and composition. Good work.

Sir Alan,

The Three Amigos, who are they.?
Excellent shot and well done on the composition and details. Good to see a vertical, one that is difficult to work with. Well done.

Mike

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-04-28 0:23]

What a happy family Alan. You don't often see them so still, so for you to capture them in this tender moment is great! Well done and TFS.
Janice

  • Great 
  • ele Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 94 W: 14 N: 15] (382)
  • [2006-04-28 2:06]

bellissima foto complimenti nonm ci sono parole.
eleonora

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2006-04-28 2:15]

Hello Alan,
A lovely moment you've captured.
Great expressions and poses,good vertical framing.
Very nice indeed.
TFS
Have a good bank holiday weekend!

Hello Alan,
What a nice bunch!
Great interaction well captured...
Lovely colours and details, of course!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-04-28 2:32]

Hello Alan!
Funny capture.I liked POV,details,sharpness,lighting,framing and composition a lot.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3065 W: 231 N: 6160] (21048)
  • [2006-04-28 2:51]

I love this shot, Alan.
It is a wonderful moment you have captured, with very sharp details, excellent light, and a fabulous composition.
Congratulations and TFS. : )

Very well capture nice moment of happy family.
Well done and TFS.
Eyal.

Great capture. Very good detail and a great POV. But it's the pose and composition that makes this a great shot.

TFS

Hi Alan

A beautiful shot. Actions speak louder than words! Good timing on your part. Thanks for this touching moment!

Great shot ! Very sharp, with nice details, fantastic colors and wonderful composition. These animals are so cute, and I love their posture on this photo, particularly the one on the left. A very tender scene.
Valérie.

Hi Alan,
Good detail, colours and sharpness. exposure and lighting are good. Good POV and framing.

Thanks for posting, have a great end to the week.

(this is really beautiful)

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-04-28 4:48]

Hi Alan, sorry I haven't been able to crique your photos recently due to ongoing work commitments. This is a great shot my friend with excellent detail, colour and POV. Great lighting and an excellent moment captured, TFS.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2006-04-28 5:37]

Bonjour Alan!

Félicitation pour cette belle composition. Tout est parfaits.

Merci pour l'envoie!


joseph

Hi Alan,
Very Cute shot and well composed in the vertical..The third otter seems to be in an effectionate mood.. It's the little things we do :) A touch, a kind word..I like it alot mf.
Well done!

Hi Alan, perfct photo, excellent colors, BG, DOF, great capture and perfct framing, well done and have a great week end, TFS Kyle

Hello Alan,
What a lovely moment that you captured, everything works well in the frame. Thank you and have great weekend!
Ersin

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-04-28 10:51]

Hi Alan.
what a lovely shot. Great moment capture. Good colours, details, sharpnes, DOF, POV, BG and note.
Well done Alan

osse

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-04-28 16:33]

Hi Alan,
they are very cute, lovely poses by your models. POV, colors and details are lovely. A wonderful composition.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 1 N: 328] (2024)
  • [2006-04-29 6:47]

Hi Allan, a winner! Well done, I like the composition a lot. Well framed, nice lines of these guys and well balanced colours. These guys are always good for a nice picture, but you succeeded to really make it a nice pease of art.
Good weekend reina

Hi Alan,
Very nice family portrait of these small otters. Good details and fresh colours. I agree with you for the background, but nevertheless a good captured moment. Well done.
TFS and regards, Ruud

Hi Alan,
Well framed with fantastic subjects, with nice lighting. These guys sure are cute, I especially like their digits, they look more like fingers than claws. :)

Hi Alan,
You are right such a great moment of the family Otter. Their postures are so beautifully captured. Colors and sharpness are excellent and the DOF is perfect. I agree with Loot on the b/g, not disturbing at all.
TFS and have a good weekend.
Niek

Hi Alan,
Excellent shot! The interaction between the otters is priceless. Exposure is spot on with the nice colors. Detail is sharp! Your control on the DOF is perfect.
Scott

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 755 W: 31 N: 20] (5032)
  • [2006-05-01 3:23]

Hi Alan,
beautiful composition and view. Very nice photo and interesting note. Well done.
Rgs, Aleksander

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2006-05-01 10:53]

Great composition of these cute animals. Very well done on the technique too. Very good note. Thanks !

Mario

  • Great 
  • isa Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 49 W: 0 N: 33] (250)
  • [2006-05-01 17:32]

Beautifull photograph, perfect!

Congratulations for the work, exactly professional.
Photographic greetings,
Isa

Hi Alan!

Splendid image. Sharp and well exposed. I like the soft light. Composition and framing are good. Shallow DOF and blured BG are beautifull. It almost looks like a Sepia toned picture, but I know it's not.

Great picture and TFS.

What a great composition Alan.
Great colors and details and excellent composition. Love the framing.
Good POV and great BG.
TFS!!!!
Regards
JC

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 6 N: 391] (1893)
  • [2006-05-03 16:49]

Hi Alan !
I just love this gentle creatures on your photo, never mind the BG its the moment that counts, you have made a wonderful photo!

  • Great 
  • zeca Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 373 W: 14 N: 538] (2881)
  • [2006-05-03 23:31]

Lovely capture, Alan! Excelent POV and frame. Perfect timing! Colours and sharpness are amazing, like always from your gallery!
Regards!
Zeca

Lovely. Colors, POV, DOF, message it hehiculates, all is perfect.

Excellent shot Alan, great sharpness, details and colours, nice bg and contrast. Great POV and composition too. Very well done, thank you for sharing.
Gr.
Heinz

Don't you have anything better to do than paint the otters' toenails pink? LOL!

Wonderful capture, very warm and fuzzy feeling. Have a fabulous weekend!
Mine will be as full of decadence as possible with two small girls in the next room. We're heading to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, beach, sunshine and drinking....what more can you ask for??!!!

Your friend from the land of beautiful beaches, beautiful girls and fabulous Mojitos (well, that's Cuba but close enough!),

Alli

hi alan
joli tableau de famille.
laurent

Hi Alan,
Funny shot :)))
Very nice details, colors, BG nad POV.
Well done!!!
TFS Malgosia

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2006-05-29 7:09]

Wooow ! What a nice trio that you have very well captured ! The pose of the Otter on left seems so tender ;-) Instructive complementary note. Congratulations Alan and thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Adam73 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 5 N: 522] (2251)
  • [2006-06-21 10:06]

Haha how cute. Exposure and natural lighting is perfect. Good detail and a great moment you cought. Sometimes the moment is what makes the picture and you made this picture, good job.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2006-07-09 4:48]

What a cute shot Alan,I love the mood&WARM COLOUR in this shot.You captured very well,nice POV.

  • Great 
  • kojak Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 19] (163)
  • [2006-09-05 16:43]

Beautiful picture Alan!!!
Thanks for the response on my question by the way. It was very usefull.
G.

great pic, TFS Ori

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