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Dalmatian Pelican


Dalmatian Pelican
Photo Information
Copyright: Thijs van Balen jr (Pentaxfriend) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 514 W: 24 N: 1888] (8048)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Pentax K20D, Sigma EX APO DG 50-500mm f/4-6.3, 86mm Kood UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-10-04 7:35
Viewed: 3354
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Genus: Pelecanus
Species: P. crispus
Binomial name: Pelecanus crispus


The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia to China in swamps and shallow lakes. The nest is a crude heap of vegetation.

This is the largest of the pelicans, averaging 170 cm (67 inches) in length, 11-15 kg (24-33 lbs) in weight and just over 3 m (10 ft) in wingspan. On average, it's the world's heaviest flying species, although large male bustards and swans can exceed the pelican in maximum weight. It differs from the White Pelican in that it has curly nape feathers, grey legs and greyish-white (rather than pure white plumage). It has a red lower mandible in the breeding season. Immatures are grey and lack the pink facial patch of immature White Pelicans. The latter also has darker flight feathers.

This pelican migrates short distances. In flight, it is an elegant soaring bird, with the flock moving in synchrony. The neck is then held back like a heron's.


As is well known, pelicans catch fish in their huge bill pouches, most, like this species, while swimming at the surface.

Like the White Pelican, this species has declined greatly through habitat loss and persecution. As of 1994, there are around 1,000 breeding pairs in Europe, most of them in Russia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania (Karavasta Lagoon).

The Dalmatian Pelican is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.



Shutter speed value 1/160 s
Aperture value f/5.6
ISO speed ratings ISO 640
High ISO noise reduction On
Metering mode Center weighted average
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal length 138 mm
Focal length in 35mm film 207 mm
Contrast Hard
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Hard
LordPotty, nglen, crs, gracious, rcrick, Adanac, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Great shot of this Pelican Thijs.
Looks as though hes just finished a spot of fishing and not yet dried off properly.
It also looks as though it was difficult to get a good balance between the whites and darker areas here .... just a couple of OE areas there.
An impressive shot nonetheless.
Well captured.
Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-10-04 8:56]

Hi Thijs.
Fantastic close up of the Pelican. Great detail in the wet looking feathers. With good eye contact. Stands out well from the plain green BG. interesting notes to. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 598 W: 11 N: 72] (436)
  • [2008-10-04 9:19]

SUperb portrait,nice perspective.
DOF is very good.
well composed,spot on exposure.
TFS!

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 0 N: 922] (3551)
  • [2008-10-04 11:45]

Hello Thijs,

What a good portret of the bird you have done! The image has a very high quality beeing extremly sharp and showing fine details of the plumage. You have made very good use of the light getting very fine color tones.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hi Thijs

Good portrait of this pelican, great hair do.
Good composition, excellent sharpness and plumage detail. Good exposure.

Chris

Hello Thijs
This is a beautiful capture..Great eye and feather detail..and a drip of water on the beak..Top Class Capture.
All the Best
Paul

Hello Thijs,
Excellent portrait of this Pelican!
very sharp with good colour and superb details
perfect presentation and very pleasing
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2008-10-04 23:31]

Hello Thijs,
A bad hair day, huh?
Wonderful details on the feathers going every which way.
Great eye contact.
Colors and light are very natural.
TFS. : )

Hi Thijs.

Beautiful shot of this Dalmatian Pelican, it looks like it just jumped out of the shower, either that or its having a really bad hair day ;). Love the tight crop superb detail, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

Bonjour,
En voilà un qui n'a pas eu le temps de se coiffer !
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-10-07 3:53]

Hello Thijs,
Incredibly beautiful portrait with stunning details and colors. Its eye is amazing, thank you for your fine work.
Rick

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 485 W: 0 N: 772] (3395)
  • [2008-10-07 6:57]

Hi Thijs
great portraid of pelikan
very good sharp and detail
very well done.

Hello Thijs,
One of the best portraits I've seen, the "Dalmation" pelican is most photogenic :)
The exposure looks about perfect, great BG.
Excellent DOF, POV, comp, and sharp details.
Love the slightly wet feather look, especially those ruffled feathers at the head..
Well done!
Howard

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-10-20 10:48]

Hello Thijs, that's a fantastic portrait my friend! So much sharp details, a perfect exposure of the high lights and an beautiful image, well done, thanks!

Mario

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