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Rubber Neck #2


Rubber Neck #2
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3749 W: 483 N: 8155] (28054)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-12-28 4:11
Viewed: 4120
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cormorants and shags are medium-to-large seabirds. The majority, including all Northern Hemisphere species, have mainly dark plumage, but some Southern Hemisphere species are black and white, and a few (e.g. the Spotted Shag of New Zealand) are quite colourful. Many species have areas of coloured skin on the face (the lores and the gular skin) which can be bright blue, orange, red or yellow, typically becoming more brightly coloured in the breeding season. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order.

They are coastal rather than oceanic birds, and some have colonised inland waters. They range around the world, except for the central Pacific islands.

All are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface, though many species make a characteristic half-jump as they dive, presumably to give themselves a more streamlined entry into the water. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. Some cormorant species have been found, using depth gauges, to dive to depths of as much as 45 metres.

After fishing, cormorants go ashore, and are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun; it is assumed that this is to dry them. Unusually for a water bird, their feathers are not waterproofed. This may help them dive quickly, since their feathers do not retain air bubbles.

Cormorants are colonial nesters, using trees, rocky islets, or cliffs. The eggs are a chalky-blue colour. There is usually one brood a year. The young are fed through regurgitation. They typically have deep, ungainly bills which make it obvious that they are related to pelicans.

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 6:45 p.m.
Date: 14th November 2006
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS USM
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/80
F-Stop: F/7.1
Focal Length: 340mm
Support: Hand Held
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
scottevers7, TAZ, nathan, carper, horia, liquidsunshine, marhowie, manyee, dantor has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-12-28 6:07]

This is stunning, lovely light, perefect DOF and a great composition. I like this portrait a lot

TFS

Karan

Hi Pam,
Great portrait shot on this Cormorant. Great quality light and a spot on exposure have the colors and detail looking great. Nice isolation from a great OOF backround. Flawless comp. and framing.
Hope you have a great New Year!
Scott

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 5 N: 2240] (12636)
  • [2006-12-28 11:42]

Excellente photo,les détails sont extras et l'oiseau est très jolie.
Merci pour l'evoie Pam et Happy new Year!
Joseph

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2006-12-28 12:35]

Hello Pam,
The birds can thank you for your excellent work about them !
The +++++++++ : subject, sharpness, DOF, OOF background, exposure, colors, texture of skin, composition, frame, note...
The - : nothing as usual...
Bravo for this superb portrait and TFS.

  • Great 
  • nathan (44)
  • [2006-12-28 13:00]

brilliant capture Pam, fantastic detail and natural colour.

well done

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582] (8439)
  • [2006-12-28 13:03]

a fantastic photo Pam, congratiolation for this piece of a master photographer and thats a compliment from me to you, very good pov, nice details and very good crop, splendid job.
have a good years end and have a good start for 2007.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2006-12-28 13:20]

Hi Pam

Another terrific photo from you!
The POV and pose of this cormorant are great - giving you an excellent angle to capture that lovely light in its eye.
Also the sharpness of the details is simply impeccable, the DOF is exceptional and the natural colors are lovely and very nicly saturated.
Very well done!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-12-28 14:16]

Hoi Pam , A great portret , beauty compositie colours details light pov bg and framing ,tfs Greetings Teunie . Best Wishes .

Hi Pam,
Silly behaviour:-)
I do like the beak sharpness here.
Overall very well done besides.
TFS
Annick

Hello Pam,
It seems I've been away far too long. It's nice to return to TN to find one of your posts.
Your usual top quality shots are still faultless.
Thanks for posting, have a great 2007.

Just a few more things to do, then I can get back posting again...yippee

Hello Pam.
This is an un-commonly well done portrait of a common bird..I like the composition with the birds shoulder included in this "rubber neck" pose. Razor sharp detail and clear eyes. Excellent use of ambient light with natural color. Nice work mf.
Happy New Year!

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2006-12-29 0:55]

The sharpness and exposure on this one are superb, Pam.
I also like the pose a lot... Quite a contortionist, I must say.
Great POV and DOF.
TFS. : )

Pam I think this is a great shot amazing! I really have trouble getting anywhere close enough to take a shot of these cormorants you did very well superb detail best rgds all the best for the new yr Necip. P.T.

Stunning portrait of a difficult subject. Great pose. Perfect sharpness and detail, as usual. You must have been fairly close to your subject. Natural colours, good textures and pleasing background. Well done!

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-01-08 21:47]

Hello Pam !
Another great portrait of cormorants, nice composition !
Very well done,

Regards,
Christian

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