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Whazzup!!!!


Whazzup!!!!
Photo Information
Copyright: Hilary Wilkinson (Hil) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50, Panasonic DMW-LT55
Exposure: f/4, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite photos of birds singing, Alex99's favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-26 10:58
Viewed: 6345
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello Everyone, I know its not the best shot' anyway I quite liked the pose as he looks like he is talking to me, Its been really nice and Sunny this weekend but its been so windy it was difficult to get shots of the songbirds as they were getting buffeted about so much I couldn't get any in focus, so I took a shot of the Fat Duck instead, I don't think a gale force wind could blow this guy over. Thanks for looking and for all your critiques on my previous posts.

Mallard Duck

The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), also known as the wild duck, is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Probably the best-known of all ducks, it gave rise to most domestic ducks, apart from the Muscovy Duck. Mallards also look like Call Ducks, but are larger in size.

It is strongly migratory in the northern parts of its breeding range, and winters farther south; it is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It also frequents Central America and the Caribbean, and has been introduced into Australia and New Zealand. It is now the most common duck in New Zealand.

In captivity, Mallards come in wild-type plumages, white, and other colours. Most of these colour variants are rare but increasing in domestic collections.

Description

The dabbling duck is 56–65 cm length, with an 81–98 cm wingspan, and weighs 750–1000 g. The breeding male is unmistakable with a green head, black rear end and a blue speculum edged with white, prominent in flight or at rest. Males also possess a yellow bill with a black tip, females dark brown.

The female Mallard is light brown like most female dabbling ducks. It can be distinguished from other ducks by the distinctive speculum. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female.

The Mallard is a rare example of both Allen's Rule and Bergmann's Rule in birds. Bergmann's Rule, which states that polar forms tend to be larger than related ones from warmer climates, has numerous examples in birds. Allen's Rule says that appendages like ears tend to be smaller in polar forms to minimize heat loss, and larger in tropical and desert equivalents to facilitate heat diffusion, and that the polar taxa are stockier overall. Examples of this rule in birds are rare, as they lack external ears. However, the bill of ducks is very well supplied with blood vessels and is vulnerable to cold.

The Mallard inhabits most wetlands, including parks, small ponds and rivers, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing; there are reports of it eating frogs. It usually nests on a river bank, but not always near water. It is highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks.

A noisy species, the male has a nasal call, the female the "quack" always associated with ducks.

Notes from Wilkepadia.com
Amadeo, Dis. Ac., pekkavalo1, Luis52, jaycee, CeltickRanger, nglen, Royaldevon, Argus, eng55, jeanpaul, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nglen: ThanksHil 1 05-27 12:13
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2008-05-26 11:04]

Hello Hilary,
A great capture with a frontal POV,good colors and a nice reflection,
Regards
Siggi

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer [C: 168 W: 0 N: 755] (3323)
  • [2008-05-26 11:14]

Hola Hil, un buen primer plano, con buena luz y color. Con la expresión de los ojos y el pico abierto parece que este hablando, me gusta el momento. Un saludo

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2008-05-26 11:54]

Hi Hilary,

A great capture with a good well chosen low POV,I like it,thanks for sharing,

Paul

Hello Hil,

what a nice picture from these Mallard.
Beautiful colours with lots of detail.
Exellent pov.

Gert

Hi Hil,

Great picture of Mallard with excellent pose and composition, good momentum, nice colours and sharp details.

TFS

Pekka

Hi Hilary!
a nicely rounded bird!Very well captured pose!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2008-05-26 15:24]

Hola Hilary.
Lovly photo of this Duck. Looks like he is talking to You to have this picture taken. Beautiful colors on feathers and BG.
Saludos Hil.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-05-26 16:26]

Hi Hil,

He is so round he looks like he could bounce like a ball! I love the face - he is talking to you just like the squirrel talked to me. Marhowie made me laugh when he said it was a Dr. Doolittle thing.

Jane

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-26 20:42]

Hello Hil

A beautiful capture of this happy go lucky duck.
The colours are natural and well saturated.
Excellent pov and dof.
The details are super.
Nicely timed to get him in mid-quack.
TFS

Rob

Too cute! Vivid but realistic color and fabulous moment. It really does look like he's saying Whazzup?

hello Hilary

what a wonderful close shot of this mallard duck on his « quaaack » call,
and you are wrong when you say that this is not the best shot,
fine POV, DOF and vertical framing, very beautiful luminosity
of the image with great contrast, sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-05-27 11:21]
  • [+]

Hi Hilary. Did you take this of and then put it back last night i am sure i gave it critique. any way. its still a fine clsose up of the large Malard duck. You must have been on the ground to get this low POV. I love the pose with its mouth wide open. TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-05-27 12:16]

haha what a great title :-D
The pose is brilliant!
Pin-sharp and very detailed.
Excellent DOF too.
The lighting and colours are lovely!
Superb work, Hil!

Joe

THis is so good, Hil!
He looks like a glove puppet! I had one similar that talked by moving your hand in its beak! You're right! The wind would have trouble blowing him over!

Great close up showing good details of his colours and markings!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-05-27 21:45]

Hello Hil,
A nice close study of what the face of a male Mallard looks like when he is making his hissing quacking sound. We can see that he does it with a smile!
The POV and OOF natural BG add nicely to this delightful image and TFS!
Ivan

Yep...that's what he appears to be saying.
You did good getting down for the POV.
Have a great week, and hope it is as happy as this ducks.
D

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-05-28 4:58]

Hi Hilary,
Splendid shot of this Mallard Duck and a fantastic moment captured with great timing and skill. Very neat and sharp image with lovely colours and details on its plumage. Superb lighting and I like your low POV to portray it. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2008-05-28 5:42]

Hi Hilary,
Very nice capture.He is very close and well detailed.Colors,POV,pose of duck and expression on face are perfect.Very well done!
Thanks for posting.

Hi Hilary
C'est une belle et intéressante composition photographique pour ce superbe canard avec de Jolies couleurs sur le plumage et bonne nettté grâce à la profondeur de champ bien adaptée.
Merci et au revoir...JP

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-05-29 7:37]

Haha! Hello Hilary! Very funny portrait of this Mallard, sharp pic, good light and exposure and a very good result, thanks!

Mario

Hello Hilary,
This shot has really cheered me up this morning, you hve great timing. Good POV, the depth of field is perfect and great colours. TFS, best wishes,
Lee

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-06-18 7:17]

Hi Hil.
I do not believe that you photograph by Panasonic. Quality of your shots is terrific. This one is not exception. Its subject is amazing as well as the low POV and magnification, superb DOF and sharpness of the duck and blurriness of the BG, and of course, fine rich colours and impressive lighting. Pictured moment is sweet. Bravo.
Alexei.

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