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Merry Christmas from Sunny Arizona


Merry Christmas from Sunny Arizona
Photo Information
Copyright: Jane Magen (jaycee) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-12-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon SX30IS
Exposure: f/5.8, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2010-12-25 10:51
Viewed: 4023
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cactus Wren


The Cactus Wren has been the state bird of Arizona since 1931; its presence and song are considered characteristic of southwestern deserts. The Cactus Wren is a permanent resident of arid and semi-arid desert regions of the southwestern United States, ranging from southern California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas, southward to central Mexico. This arid desert, dominated by cholla and other succulent cacti and spiny trees and shrubs, is characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and scarce water. The Cactus Wren is generally found below 4,000 feet, although it is found at elevations up to 6,000 feet in areas of New Mexico. The Cactus Wren is not considered threatened or endangered though it is protected, along with all songbirds, by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Cactus Wren does well in urban areas planted with native species.

The largest North American Wren, the Cactus Wren is seven to eight inches long, has a long stripe of white feathers that look like eyebrows and a longer-than-usual tail which it does not normally cock up. Males and females are similar in size and markings and have long, pointed, slightly downcurved beaks and long legs. The Cactus Wren has a white belly with brown spots, and speckled brown, black, and white feathers on its back, wings, and head. It has black feathers on its throat and It has long legs and a long pointed beak. The wings and tail feathers are mostly black with white barring and the legs are dark. Juveniles resemble adults, but have fewer, lighter chest spots and a shorter tail.

The very active, curious Cactus Wren's unusual "chug-chug" call is one of the most conspicuous in the foothills. Even though they carry no melody or song-like quality, these territorial characters have a wide vocabulary using a "growl, scri, squal, buzz, tek, dzip, peep, buzz, and rack" to communicate. Quick to investigate any and all new items in their territory, you may find them making an in-depth inspection of your car, and if your car windows are down, checking out your car's interior. They enjoy harassing a pet cat or dog that enters their territory.

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maurydv, CeltickRanger, Argus, Luis52, jusninasirun, Alex99, matatur, tuslaw, Dis. Ac., uleko, MMM has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Ciao Jane, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, lovely bird on a beautiful blue sky, fine details, wonderful colors and splendid sharpness, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

Hallo Jane,
a very beautiful picture of the Cactus Wren, one of your favourite subject, very good sharpness and splendid colours, i like much your blue sky, a very nice composition with a lovely pose of the bird among the branches
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Ciao Maurizio

hello Jane

excellent and beautiful photo of the Cactus Wren,
shot with fine POV and framing, excellent focus
sharpness and details, the catch-light render
the photo always more beautiful, TFS

Also for you Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year 2011

Asbed

Hello Jane,
Excellently framed with very fine detail. Nice bright colours for a cold winter day here. Happy Christmas and thanks.
Alan

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2010-12-25 12:48]

Hello Jane,
A nice capture of a Cactus Wren well seen among the branches of the Mesquit tree taken on Christmas Eve.
The Frontal POV shows his breast well and the turned head pose gives a nice eye contact. A fine sunny image that is great to see when we are having one of the coldest and snowiest winters in living memory.
I wish you Happy Holidays and Happy 2011!
Ivan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2010-12-25 13:03]

Hello Jane,
Fantastic photo of this Cactus Wren. Very beautiful saturated colours, very good sharpness, details and composition. Pleasing eye-contact.
Merry Christmas to you and your family,
Peter

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2010-12-25 13:44]

Hi Jane,i wish you all the best me too and thanks for this beautiful pic,i'm jealous of your warm Christmas..ehhee....Luciano

I listen to public radio from AZ:-) .Typically looking up Jane and same beautiful azure blue sky. Good shot.
Bob

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2010-12-25 20:56]

Hola Prima.
This Cactus Wren looks fantastic on this photo. The blue sky on BG is also great.
We have a beautiful sunny days here to, no to cold not to hot.
TFS cousing, and have a nice Christmas and WE.
Luis52.

Merry Christmas and a wonderful boxing day to you in Arizona, Jane.
This is a wonderful Christmas card against the beautiful spotless sky. Nice bird in the frame in very nice perch and details.
Thanks and greetings from Malaysia - Jusni

hello Jane
very nice pose with good sharpness and great details
beautiful colours and nice light
havea nice second Cristmas day
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2010-12-26 7:36]

Hi Jane.
Many thanks for amazing shot and warm greeting words from sunny Arizona. I wish that your life would be so cheerful, deautiful and full of sunlight as your picture is. Tree branch pattern create fine surroundings for beautiful bird which is presented with all charming details. Bravo.
Alexei.

Well captured and Merry Christmas to you too!

A lovely specimen in fine plumage and colouration Jane, captured quite expertly from a low vantage point to unclutter the BG successfully. Good image presented in pleasant square format.
Hope you'll have a healthy and productive new year in 2011 my friend.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2010-12-27 19:28]

Hello Jane,
What a neat shot of this nicely posed Cactus Wren. Beautiful colors and super detail. Love that bright blue Arizona sky in the BG.
I remember spotting one while we were out there this past summer, but I was never able to get it in the cameras view finder.
Ron

Hi Jane,


youre are back from the break, i have been missed you all by my fungi pics.
This are an nice one with good pov and details.
Fine colors.

Gert

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2010-12-27 23:16]

Hello Jane,
A lovely capture of the little Cactus Wren in a nice pose. Lovely details of the plumage and beautiful bright light. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!
TFS and kind regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2011-01-03 15:55]

Hi Jane
Merry Chrismast to you to.Excellent presentation,good pov and sharp image with natural colors.
TFS Michel

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