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The lagoon mascotte


The lagoon mascotte
Photo Information
Copyright: Giorgio Mercuri (Photoslave) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 141 W: 0 N: 55] (1199)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-02
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/3.8
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-08 0:10
Viewed: 5182
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A sure birdwatching opportunity in the lagoon of the maldivian resort where we spent last week was given by this beautiful grey heron, always present near the over water structures.

Infos from Wikipedia:

The Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions.

It is a large bird, standing 90-100 cm tall, with a 175-195 cm wingspan and a weight of 1-2 kg. Its plumage is largely grey above, and off-white below. Adults have a white head with a broad black supercilium and slender crest, while immatures have a dull grey head. It has a powerful pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

There are four subspecies:

Ardea cinerea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758. Europe, Africa, western Asia.
Ardea cinerea jouyi Clark, 1907. Eastern Asia.
Ardea cinerea firasa Hartert, 1917. Madagascar.
Ardea cinerea monicae Jouanin & Roux, 1963. Islands off Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania.
It is closely related and similar to the American Great Blue Heron, which differs in slightly larger size, and chestnut-brown flanks and thighs. The Australian White-faced Heron is often incorrectly called Grey Heron.

Behaviour

It feeds in shallow water, catching fish or frogs with its long bill. Herons will also take small mammals and birds. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.

In the Netherlands, the grey heron has become a very common species in recent decades by moving into urban environments in great numbers. There, the herons hunt as they usually would but also make use of food discarded by humans, will visit feeding times in zoos to birds such as penguins and pelicans and some individuals even make use of people feeding them at their homes. All of this behaviour can be seen in the Dutch documentary Schoffies (Hoodlums).

The call is a loud croaking "fraaank".
Karin, pierrefonds, izler has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Giorgio

Beautiful soft light and paradise in the background. Great sharpness and good POV.

Chris

  • Great 
  • Karin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 5 N: 268] (2089)
  • [2008-03-08 3:53]

Hi Giorgio,
Beautiful and special colors of the water and outstanding details on the heron. I've only seen them with dark lake waters on the background, so this photo looks quite particular.
Well done and TFS

Hi Giorgio,

Your note is detailed. The grey heron in the water is impressive. The point of vioew is showing with precision the details and colors of the bird. The different tints of colors are an asset to the composition. Have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 358 W: 7 N: 1237] (7593)
  • [2008-03-08 9:36]

hi giorgio,
beautiful picture..
lovely blue colours in the picture..
TFS

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2008-03-08 16:00]

LA prossima volta magari digli di spostarsi al sole..ehehe..cosi' viene un po' meglio..certo che la posizione di scatto e lo scenario sono fantastici..complimentoni,Luciano

Ciao Giorgio, bel primo piano di questo splendido airone, luce meravigliosa, buona domenica, ciao Silvio

bonjour Giorgio
Belle pose caractéristique du héron, à l'attente de son proie,
l'arrière-plan bleu et les lumières du sujet font un bon effet
de contraste et mettent en évidence le sujet qu'est le héron
Merci et au revoir...JP

  • Great 
  • PJNS (54)
  • [2008-03-14 18:55]

Hi, Giorgio
Good shot...but front light was not the ideal.
Regards,
Paulo

Hello Giorgio,
It is interesting to see the bird exposed against this bright background, but still good details in the plumage!
Effective low point of view and a well composed presentation, a very attractive image!
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1387 W: 3 N: 9] (44)
  • [2008-03-27 7:49]

hello Giorgio
congratulations this work looks like a studio job
i like composition, point of view, backround, lighting, colours, contrast, sharpness and note
thanks for sharing
regards
izler

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