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A couple


A couple
Photo Information
Copyright: Birgit Jokela (bikernjeeks) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 54 W: 5 N: 17] (138)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-01-01
Categories: Mammals
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/5 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-01-04 20:43
Viewed: 4260
Points: 17
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I spent my first day of this year in a Honey Island swamp in Louisiana. Saw lots of nutrias. Here's just a two of them.
This member of the rodent family is native to South America, and it was introduced both accidentally and purposely in the waterways in several American states. The species has proved to be overly destructive of habitat in some areas, creating problems for muskrats and waterfowl. This species can tolerate winters in temperate areas only. An important furbearer in Louisiana and Texas coastal area, nutria are viewed as detrimental in most other areas.
Adult nutria are about 14 inches long from the nose to the base of the tail. The tail itself is 12 to 17 inches long, round, and hairless. Coloration is brownish, and both sexes are similar in appearance and weight.
Nutria are apt to breed in any month of the year in North America. One male usually has 2 or 3 mates which share the same burrow. Female nutria mature at about 5 1/2 months of age, and female nutria usually have two litters per year. Many females breed within two days after giving birth to a litter.
Nutria usually have a negative impact on other wildlife species. Because they are colonial in habitat, nutria often overharvest edible plants within their small range, resulting in the killing of the desirable plant species. These "eat-outs" destroy productivity as often less desirable plants replace the more desirable ones.
The sale of nutria furs is an important source of income for many trappers in regions where nutria are numerous. Most pelts are harvested in Louisiana, and around 2 million pelts are harvested annually.
Leace, rlortie, Luc, JeanMichel, willie, gerhardt, nofer has marked this note useful
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Nice picture along with an interesting note. I like your picture in that it shows their surroundings well. Perhaps a slighly closer zoom would've been nice, but it's still a very nice shot.

  • Great 
  • rlortie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 295 W: 59 N: 593] (2058)
  • [2005-01-04 21:15]
  • [2]

Nice picture Birgit. Sharp and crisp. Very well integrated in their environment. I am surprised that you could obtain this sharpness with 1/5 sec. Your note is very well written. Maybe could benefit from a zoom in and subject in lower right (2/3 of frame).
I am happy to meet somebody from Estonia. Thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-01-04 21:32]

It is usefull, sometime, to see the animals with their environnement like here, Birgit.
Nice picture and great note.
Thanks.

Very good shot birgit you place them very well in their enviroment, the note about their enviromental impact is most welcome and very informative.
The Coypu as it is called in the UK was introduced into the sensitive area of the wetlands on the east coast called the Fens, but thank fully they have managed to eradicate them by trapping and shooting so they can now be seen only in zoo's I think?
TFS this image with us.

First, let me thank you for such an interesting note (we have these in the wild also here, called "ragondin"), and your very good illustration. They are cute seen from front, but the tail make them look like rats. You did very well, as they generally escape when feeling a human presence. Environment is perfect. Very good post, Birgit. Next one a bit closer?

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2005-01-05 14:13]

Now this is good. Very informative, nice shot of the subject and very well done

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-06 1:32]

This is a great image and note combination. The sharpness is good and the note very informative.

Very well done and thanks for posting

I like, but the nutria is too far way! maybe a better quallity picture if you cropped you could take a good close up on the animal.

WOW! I haven't seen these critters before. Nice shot showing the environment and the details of the critter nicely. Great shot Well done.

  • Great 
  • Midi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 146 W: 24 N: 183] (2418)
  • [2005-01-19 12:29]

Good shot, I never seen thehe animals in the nature.
You have been lucky to meet them. Beautiful colors.
The subject is a little bit too far.

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