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Whimbrel


Whimbrel
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2013-08-03
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2014-05-31 6:31
Viewed: 2486
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Another bird photographed in Iceland. A new species in my gallery.

The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across much of subarctic North America, Europe and Asia as far south as Scotland.
This is a migratory species wintering on coasts in Africa, South America, south Asia into Australasia and southern North America. It is also a coastal bird during migration. It is fairly gregarious outside the breeding season.

Description
This is a fairly large wader though mid-sized as a member of the curlew genus. It is 37–47 cm in length, 75–90 cm and 270–493 g in weight. It is mainly greyish brown, with a white back and rump (subspecies N. p. phaeopus and N. p. alboaxillaris only), and a long curved bill (longest in the adult female) with a kink rather than a smooth curve. It is generally wary. The usual call is a rippling whistle, prolonged into a trill for the song.
The only similar common species over most of this bird's range are larger curlews. The Whimbrel is smaller, has a shorter, decurved bill and has a central crown stripe and strong supercilia.

Subspecies
There are four subspecies:
• Numenius phaeopus phaeopus - northern Europe, northwestern Asia
• Numenius phaeopus variegatus - northeastern Asia
• Numenius phaeopus alboaxillaris - central Asia (rare, endangered)
• Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus (Hudsonian curlew) - northern North America

Ecology
This species feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates and by picking small crabs and similar prey off the surface. Prior to migration, berries become an important part of their diet. It also eats blue butterflies.
The nest is a bare scrape on tundra or Arctic moorland. Three to five eggs are laid. Adults are very defensive of nesting area and will even attack humans who come too close.
Near the end of the 19th century, hunting on their migration routes took a heavy toll on this bird's numbers; the population has since recovered.
In the British Isles it breeds in Scotland, particularly around Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides as well as the mainland at Sutherland and Caithness.
The Whimbrel is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Source: Wikipedia
ramthakur, Alex99, kinglove, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To auroco: To IndiaPeterZ 1 06-15 01:52
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Critiques [Translate]

This is a new and exotic bird for me from distant Iceland, Peter.
Perfect exposure in the existing light conditions with immaculate details on the bird and a soothing background of flowers-strewn earth.
Thanks for digging out this great image from your archives.
Ram

Hi Peter,
a very fine picture of "småspoven", captured in the right environment.
Natural colors, well exposed and with a nice low POV.
Well done, my friend.

Regards
Gert

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2014-05-31 7:46]

Hi Peter.
All is wonderful: wild vegetations, beautiful bird, DOF and combination of sharpness and blurriness, lovely natural colours and soft lighting. Timing is also stunning as well as pictured pose of the walking bird. Bravo.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2014-05-31 8:53]

Hi Peter,a specie that i seen only in the Gambia beaches,magnificent capture in a colorful ground and made with the usual perfect detail and exposure,very well done! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Ciao Peter. Another great pic of bird. Stunnig details against the coloured environment.

Roberto

Ciao Peter, lovely composition with nice bird on beautiful flowers, splendid light, fine details, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

Hi Peter
Beautiful composition, very delicate details, excellent DOF. TFS
good week end
Luis

Hello Peter

Great close-up photo of this wader bird, fine lateral POV at its level,
fine DOF, great focus, sharpness, and details, in a beautiful light,
and the bird was captured at his walking pose, TFS

Asbed

nice composition, great flowery habitat, greetings Ori

Hi Peter,
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Hi Peter,Hi Peter,

hallo Peter
Weer een hele mooie steltloper
goed van scherpte en super mooie natuurlijke kleuren
bedankt weer
gr lou

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2014-06-01 18:57]

Hello Peter,
You did a superb job of photographing this Whimbrel in it's natural habitat. Focus is tac sharp allowing us to view it's unique features in fine detail. The colorful flower covered ground is an added bonus in which to show off it's attractive camouflaged plumage. Great eye contact displaying that ever sought after catchlight. Well done!!
Ron

Bonsoir Peter,
Très belle attitude du sujet saisie sous un bon angle de prise de vue ; la lumière est belle et la profondeur de champ excellente.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

Beautiful Peter. Love the violet and yellow flowers in the foreground as well. Framed to perfection. All sharp, well focused and a great composition. Your background really sets this off nicely. Great to see. TFS Trevor

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 298 W: 21 N: 1943] (13387)
  • [2014-06-03 2:28]

Beautiful specimen. Excellent capture with fine details and a lovely background.

TFS,

Ishi

Peter
C'est une grande réussite, avec la netteté, et les détails bien restitués
Merci
bon dimanche
Laurent

hi peter
your pictures are superb. Through your pictures I am also travelling across world.

Have you ever come to India?

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