They saw us... Run!

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They saw us... Run!
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2226 W: 268 N: 4161] (11501)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Aquatic Birds - Aves Acuáticas, Exotic Ducks Of The World [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-15 4:33
Viewed: 1108
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Carolina Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa)

It means: "Betrothed water bird." Aiks means "water bird" in Greek. Sponsa is Latin for "betrothed." This is in reference to its beautiful plumage, as though it were dressed for a wedding. "Wood" refers to the wood duck's habit of nesting in the cavities of trees.

A currently accepted theory, for all animal behavior, is that each animal is driven by the need to leave offspring. In contrast to the old, and no longer accepted, idea of "survival of the species," most animals act in ways that will insure their offspring's survival.

The female wood duck has the unusual habit of laying some of her eggs in other wood ducks' nests, leaving the raising of the nestlings to another female. Called "brood parasitism" or "dump nesting," one study showed that over 50% of wood duck nests may contain eggs from more than one wood duck. Some nests have been reported to contain eggs from as many as four or five different wood ducks. The female is then relieved of child-rearing duties, however, this doesn't explain why a female that has dumped some of her eggs in another wood duck's nest will still make her own nest and raise young.

The wood duck prefers sheltered waters, wooded swamps, and ponds but can also be found in open swamps or marshes. It is seldom found in salt water. The wood duck nests in the natural cavities of trees and sometimes in old nests of the woodpecker. If no wooded area can be found it will nest on the ground, but this is highly unusual. It prefers a location 2m to 10m above the ground, or water, and within vicinity of water.

I found this couple at a tea garden not far from my home. There were two exotic species of water birds there besides the Mallards. I did not know what they were so I did some research.
carper, jhm, milloup, PDP, ellis49, RAP, nwoehnl, japie, Callie, letr, Robbrown has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Robbrown: Whereaboutsgerhardt 1 08-16 01:22
To jhm: An expert ideedgerhardt 2 08-15 13:15
To carper: Thank you.gerhardt 1 08-15 05:07
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Critiques [Translate]

I think you had to call to them, maybe they have a look in the camera then. Anyway, I like the shot, of course it can be done better. But then must the ducks look in the camera. The colours are good and the note is exelent, very good job Gerhardt.I

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 661 W: 0 N: 179] (620)
  • [2004-08-15 6:16]
  • [+]

Two lovely Ducks Gerhard, very nice composition with good colours and very great note. Listen perhaps once to what caper writes, an expert!

Well, at least you can see the eye of both, and both have a nice catchlight ;-) The female's head looks a bit soft, possibly on account of the F-5, which is probably on the short side for two in a frame. Light seems pretty harsh and has left patches of overexposure on the male's lower chest and on the female's wing, but otherwise nice capture ;-) Great note.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2966 W: 366 N: 3849] (11733)
  • [2004-08-15 7:27]

A nice pair of ducks Gerhard. I like the Pov and it is possible to see their eyes. Good composition too.

Nice Gerhard.
Very colourful and nic compo.
Great note

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-15 10:55]

Simpaticos... hermosos y Simpaticos Gerhard.
Interesante imagen.... una perspectiva distinta, aunque muy eficiente.
Gran colorido y nitidez.
Nota muy completa tambien.

Likeable... beautiful and likeable Gerhard.
Interesting image.... a different perspective, although very efficient.
Great colorful and clearness.
Very complete note also.

Nice catch, Gerhard. The fact that they are "leaving" actually works out for the benefit of your composition, as their diagonal position allows us to see the colorful detail of their beautiful plumage. Also like the sparkle in their eyes. Good shot.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1996 W: 107 N: 1897] (5103)
  • [2004-08-15 13:29]

Maybe they were leaving to post a picture of you on TH (TrekHuman) They are very like humans - seems like the wive leads the way. Very good DOF and colors + a great note!

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 106 N: 2656] (7475)
  • [2004-08-15 14:16]

Gerhard
2 nice Americans here, & yes, they are very beautiful little ducks, very much like our pigmy geese which also breeds in nestholes in trees. I think your dof is slightly off, look at the eyes, they are nt 100% but I am sure they were moving.

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-15 17:47]

Very nice colors, I like that one can see the male and female here together, the contrasting colors with the Bg and the composition .. Good action shot ;-)

Nice little action shot with superb notes, we all start some where , and practice does make perfect , and I also prefer to post what I get daily and also show their surroundings, so nice one
the only nit I have would be that you didnt make it clear where they were from especiallyas they are not native to SA

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