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West African Crowned Crane


West African Crowned Crane
Photo Information
Copyright: Thomas Warratz (Oldtree) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 92] (256)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-09-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron 70-300
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2004-09-20 9:23
Viewed: 5261
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Next station of my visit at the birds park walsrode (please see my other photo's for more info about this park).

There are two major crowned crane species in africa. The "West African Crowned Crane" (Balearica pavonina) and the "East African Crowned Crane" (Balearica regulorum).

The following info can be found at:
http://www.sazoo-aq.org/02meet/02sublinks/crcrane.html.

...Standing just over 4 feet tall, it has white ovals behind the eyes, a bright red patch on each cheek, a bright red wattle, and a large, erect, spiky plume of golden brown feathers on its head like the crest on a Roman helmet. Its plumage is basically dark gray to black. Its wings are white with yellowish tips and its tail feathers are brown. The east African species has a gray neck while the west African bird's neck is black. The east African variety's red cheek patch lies above the white patch behind the eye and the west African species has its red patch beneath the white patch on its cheek. Males and females have similar plumage. One of the most unusual features of this bird, like all cranes is in the internal anatomy of its windpipe, which may be 5 feet long, half of which is coiled within the breastbone. The enormous length of the windpipe gives the cranes their loud trombone-like calls, which can carry for a mile or more...

... During the breeding season, crowned cranes gather, sometimes in large groups to perform spectacular breeding dances. Not only do the monogamous breeding pairs dance with each other, but all join in, even non-breeding juveniles. The crowned crane's dance is particularly outstanding as it postures with wings outstretched to display its feathers, struts about and jumps high into the air...

I have added a workshop to show you this bird also in a total view.
ljsugarnspice, gerhardt, TAZ, RAP, japie, CaptiveLight, davidao25, PDP, extramundi, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Wow! It looks like a painted portrait. Good job, thomas! And thank you for all the information, too!

WOW! Thomas, this is a briliant capture. The portrait is superb. The details of the crown feathers are tack sharp. You handled the light well to prevent over exposure there. Nice note too. Great work done here. I would have preferred a smaller black border, but it's personal. The use of the thin pink line is a nice touch though.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2004-09-20 11:04]

Quel beau portrait si bien réalisé pour ce ravissant oiseau. Bonnes netteté et lunminosité.
Well done !

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-09-20 11:12]

Contrátale un peluquero por favor!.
Gran primer plano y realzado por la imagen del workshop.
Muy buena agudeza, bellos tonos y excelente DOF.
Perfecto encuadre con la diagonal del cuello en el vértice de la imagen.

Contract you a hairdresser please.
Great close up and heightened by the image of workshop.
Very good sharpness, beautiful tones and excellent DOF.
Perfect frame with the diagonal of the neck in the vertex of the image.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-09-20 11:22]

This is beautiful. The sharpness and DOF is superp, but the eye takes the cake. This is going to my favourites.

Excellent composition and framing.

Very sharp and well composed. I like the shadows of the bird "hair" on his face.
I've done a workshop to improve his colors

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-09-20 14:05]

Wow, great shot...she has her own portable parasol! Very, very nice work. Superb note. Thanks for sharing.

Very well solved this difficult subject, I like you were reserved with the colours, they make the shot very natural. Good note too.

Thomas, You've photographed an odd looking & interesting subject. Like the narrative about the anatomy of the windpipe most of all. Great head-dress on this crane & you captured it perfectly. Well done again!

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