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Dunlins


Dunlins
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 423 W: 54 N: 2120] (6789)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM, RAW ISO 800, Canon EF 2x Extender II
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-04 13:26
Viewed: 3599
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Two juvenile Dunlins at Yyteri mudflats in the West coast of Finland.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, sometimes separated with the other "stints" in Erolia. It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions. Birds that breed in northern Europe and Asia are long-distance migrants, wintering south to Africa and southeast Asia. Birds that breed in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic migrate short distances to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.

Behavior
The Dunlin is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches. Large numbers can often be seen swirling in synchronized flight on stop-overs during migration or on their winter habitat.

This bird is one of the most common and best-known waders throughout its breeding and wintering ranges, and it is the species with which other waders tend to be compared. At 17-21 cm length and a 32-36 cm wingspan, it is similar in size to a Common Starling, but stouter, with a thick bill.

The Dunlin moves along the coastal mudflat beaches it prefers with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action, methodically picking small food items. Insects form the main part of the Dunlin's diet on the nesting grounds; it eats mollusks, worms and crustaceans in coastal areas.

Appearance
An adult Dunlin in breeding plumage shows the distinctive black belly which no other similar-sized wader possesses. The winter Dunlin is basically grey above and white below. Juveniles are brown above with two whitish "V" shapes on the back. They usually have black marks on the flanks or belly and show a strong white wingbar in flight

The legs and slightly decurved bill are black. There are a number of subspecies differing mainly in the extent of rufous coloration in the breeding plumage and the bill length. It should, however, be noted that bill length varies between sexes, the females having longer bills than the males.

Nesting
The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground lined with vegetation, into which typically four eggs are laid and incubated by the male and female parents. Chicks are precocial, however are brooded during early development. They start to fly at approximately three weeks of age. The majority of brood care is provided by the male, as the female deserts the brood and often leaves the breeding area.

The call is a typical sandpiper "peep", and the display song a harsh trill.

The Dunlin is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Apparent hybrids between this species and the White-rumped Sandpiper as well as with the Purple Sandpiper have been reported from the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe, respectively.
rousettus, nglen, siggi, Royaldevon, jaycee, eqshannon, Argus, Jamesp, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Pekka
This is great capture for lovely twins of Dunlins, with reflections. Focus, POV/DOF, and compostion very nice. colors also. TFS, well done
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-09-04 13:37]

Hi Pekka. Once again inetersting notes to go with the pair of Dunlins. I must say you seem to travel a lot you are a lucky man. You have good detail and colour in the two feeding . taken with the 400 + x2 but still sharp. well done tFS.
Nick..

Hello Pekka,

Is this co-operation or are they just good friends?
Good details of colour and environment.
I think the composition would have been more effective if the birds were positioned less centrally and with some of the b/g cropped.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-09-04 16:29]

Hi Pekka,

I really enjoy your water birds since I never get to see them here. These two busy drinking are adorable. I love the soft natural colors and the way the birds blend in with the setting. Excellent details of the two Dunlin and a nice composition.

Jane

Super capture and you timed your click just perfectly...You are a master of this now yes?! ha! well maybe it is because I love these birds so much..Keep it up..Your having fun at very least and showing us news at best!
Bob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-09-04 22:57]

Hello Pekka,
Nice capture of two juvenile Dunlins in a fine pose together with their reflections in great lighting and sharpness. The central composition is perfect here.
TFS this fine image from Finland,
Regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-09-04 23:47]

Hi Pekka

Great composition - excellent detail and colour plus a lovely reflection.

James

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2008-09-05 0:24]

Hello Pekka,
Great picture.Beautiful colours and details.Lighting and composition are excellent.
Good note.
Regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 415 W: 11 N: 843] (3947)
  • [2008-09-05 2:31]

Merhaba Pekka,

Harika bir Karakarınlı kumkuşu [TR] çiftinin karesini paylaşmışsınız. Renkler yansıma ve kompozisyon çok hoş. Eline sağlık.

Hüseyin

Ciao Pekka, lovely couple with beautiful reflections, great composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-09-05 11:15]

Hi Pekka,
a great shot of this pair of Dunlins.
I love the central composition.
Sharp and crisp with fine detail.
Great poses too :-)

Well done,
Joe

p.s That's a shame about Elmley Marsh... I hope the algae goes and the birds come back soon! Keep me posted!

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-09-05 19:25]

Hello Pekka, Are they discussing or making a strategy. The pose is perfect. I think the one bowing the head is the male (!!!). Good striking shot. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-09-07 6:37]

Hej Pekka,
I really like this view of the Dunlins searching for food together. Excellent focus, sharp details and lovely light and colours.
Well done!
TFS and cheers, Ulla

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