<< Previous Next >>

Conservation status: Endangered


Conservation status: Endangered
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3749 W: 483 N: 8155] (28054)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS + EF 1.4X II Ex, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Birds of New Zealand [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-23 0:30
Viewed: 5111
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Yellow-eyed Penguin (Maori Name: Hoiho which mean 'Noise Shouter')

Conservation status: Endangered

The Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) or Hoiho is a penguin found in New Zealand, on the south-east coast of South Island, Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island/Rakiura, and Auckland and Campbell Islands.

This is a medium-sized penguin with pale yellow eyes, growing to approximately 65 cm.The average weight for an adult is 5 to 6 kilograms. It has a pale yellow head with black feather shafts. There is a band of bright yellow running from its eyes around the back of the head. The juvenile has a greyer head with no band and their eyes have a grey iris.

This penguin usually nests in forest or scrub. It feeds mainly on blue cod, red cod, opalfish, sprat and squid.

The current status of this penguin is endangered, with an estimated population of 4,000. It is considered one of the world's rarest penguin species. The main threats include habitat degradation, introduced predators as well as environmental changes.

It is thought to be the most ancient of all living penguins.

In spring 2004, a previously undescribed disease killed off 60% of Yellow-eyed penguin chicks on the Otago peninsula and in North Otago. The disease has been linked to an infection of corynebacterium, a family of bacteria that also causes diphtheria in humans. It has recently been described as diphtheritic stomatitis. However, it seems as if this is just a secondary infection. The primary pathogen remains unknown.

Several mainland colonies have hides and are relatively easily accessible for those wishing to watch the birds come ashore. These include colonies at Oamaru, Moeraki light-house, a number of beaches near Dunedin, and The Catlins.

The above obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-Eyed_Penguins

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 17:09 p.m.
Date: 23rd May 2007
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Extender: Canon EF 1.4X II
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/125
F-Stop: F/4
Focal Length: 245mm
ISO: 200
Support: Hand Held
Original file type: Digital Raw
elefantino, SelenE, IulianGherghel, Kathleen, vanderschelden, pirate, marhowie, rcrick, LordPotty has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Nice portarit of this rare bird.
Good light...
Andrea

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2007-07-23 1:34]

Hi Pam,
Very nice portrait of this yellow-eyed penguin. It's sad to see that they are endangered... TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

Hi,
Excelent portrait of this bird.
Great pov and compo.
Very nice contrast with BG.
Regards,
Iulian

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2007-07-23 2:31]

Hello Pam,
Beautiful photo of this Penguin. Great details, POV and composition. The best photo of this Penguin I've ever seen. Maybe a bit more contrast is possible.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Pam.
Stunning detail in this portrait of the yellow-eyed penguin.
Great colour, exposure and sharpness.
Wonderful

Kathleen
New Zealand

Hello Pam,
Well composed and nice pose.
Good close up.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 799 W: 152 N: 1186] (7474)
  • [2007-07-23 13:19]

Hi Pam
very nice portrait with beautifull BG
Great note too
tfs
TOM

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-07-23 19:14]

Hello Pam

A lovely portrait of this yellow-eyed penguin.The fact it is endangered is very sad.The DOF and POV are very good.the focus and details are sharp.You have captured the texture of the feathers very well.Almost a stipple pattern.Nicely done.TFS

Rob

Hi Pam,
I may not comment on all your captures, but I do look at em' ;)
Great work mf.
Howard

Hi Pam, Well caught loverly pose, Cheers Rick

Hi Pam,
This is very similar to a Yellow Eye shot that was posted on Nov 5th 2004 and at first I thought it might be from the same batch.
The pose is identical and I wondered if this might have been taken at the same time ... then I looked at the date taken.
A lovely shot, but as with the other shot the greyish feathers have reflected a lot of UV light which seems to have created a bit of a bluish haze.
I've knocked back the blue a bit and sharpened again to try and bring out a bit more detail and original colour which you can see in the workshop pic.
I think it has worked quite well.
Hope you don't mind.
Cheer Steve

It's always a special treat to see one of these yellow-eyed penguins posted here on TN being as rare as they are. You captured with very nice results. Nicely done Pam. I hope your doing well. :)

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF