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Galapagos Mockingbird


Galapagos Mockingbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Selen Ediger (SelenE) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Hoya 77mm Super-HMC CPL MCPRO1
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Birds of South America, Birds of Ecuador, Nature's Oddities [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-07 6:52
Viewed: 5675
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Galapagos Mockingbird
Nesomimus parvulus
Endemic (found only on Galapagos)

*There are 4 species of mockingbird found in Galapagos;
all have very similar pumage and all are endemic. They are excellent mimics and have even learnt to imitate the recently introduced Smooth-billed ani.

The Galapagos Mockingbird is a slim, thrush-like bird with grey-brown plumage. Its upperparts are rather darker brown, the underparts lighter. There is a distinct dark-brown patch in front of, and behind the eye. The legs, bill and feet are dark, the bill being slightly downcurved.

It nests in trees or cacti, generally after the start of the annual rains between december and april.
The species has an usual social structure whereby the older offspring help to feed the younger ones.

Birds of Galapagos
The relative paucity of species is actually one of the beauties of the birds of Galapagos. The finches and mockingbirds are excellent examples of adaptive radiation, where a species has evolved characteristically on an isolated island. This is not surprising in the case of reptiles and mammals that cannot fly but it is quite surprising with birds that could, in theory, move from island to island relatively easily. You should not look on adaptive radiation, or the evolution of new species on particular islands as a thing of the past. It is almost certainly continuing even now, but so slowly that it may be hundreds of years before any visible differences are evident.

It is also worth noting that the number of resident species of bird is growing. At least 5 species have become resident in the last 50 years, Common Egret, Cattle Egret, Paint-billed Crake, Common Gallinule and Smooth-billed ani. The last of these was almost certainly introduced by man, but the others appear to have arrived independently and thrived in a habitat conducive to development. None of these arrivals has been reported as having any negative impact on other species already in residence, but it is too early to be sure of this.

In addition to the resident species, there are a number of regular visitors. These are mainly migratory waders from North America. They are therefore generally to be seen in their winter plumage and so can be quite difficult to identify. However, some can be found in the islands all year round and it is possible that these may eventually become resident and breed.

We know of no endemic bird species that has become extinct. However, there are several species that are vulnerable owing to their very restricted breeding range and habitat. Chief among these is the Mangrove finch that is found in only a few patches of mangrove on Isabela. The total population is thought to number only in the low tens of pairs. The Charles Island mockingbird also has a very restricted range but it is not under threat , but with only 150 or so individuals, it is vulnerable. Several other species, such as the Flightless cormorant and the Galapagos Rail or Crake , are vulnerable to habitat change or the introduction of new predators. Complacency is a real danger and many species must be viewed as vulnerable. Apart from the finches and the boobies, relatively little work has been done on Galapagos bird species. It is only when armed with accurate infromation and a full understanding of the species that we can feel completely confident of their future.

*Source: Wildlife of the Galapagos
Julian Fitter,Daniel Fitter,David Hosking
Princeton Pocketguides, ISBN 0-691-10295-3

Exposure Time: 1/400
F-Stop: f/7.1
ISO Speed Ratings: 400
Focal Length: 400 mm
Date Taken: 2007-04-25 16:51
Metering Mode: Pattern
Monopod
Kathleen, Raptorman, GLEM, Proframe, saguzar, Kaszek, egeerhan, vanderschelden, falke, dew77, Jamesp, Argus, ciccio, JORAPAVI, rousettus, delic, ecem35, simon182 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Kathleen: GrassSelenE 1 06-07 16:18
To PeterZ: comb :o)SelenE 1 06-07 16:12
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Selen.
All the tones go wonderful together here in the browns of the mockingbird and grasses. There is a green spot over in the top right that keeps grabbing my attention, maybe a clone with the nearby grass would help to remove it.
Detail is fantastic, pin sharp, looking right at you, catchlight in the eye, all spot on.
Quite a scuffy feathered bird, love the tail stuck out, great pose for you.
Wonderful

Kathleen
New Zealand

Hi Selen
Very nicely presented. The background is a bit nervous.
Must be a great experience to visit Galapagos IslandsL
Tom

Hi Selen,

I like the picture of this bird. This is a new species for me. The picture is nicely crisp considering your focal lenght and shutter speed, thanks to the monopod. Well done.

Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 540 W: 87 N: 750] (10)
  • [2007-06-07 7:48]

salut Selen,
très bonne image de cet oiseau, c'est simple et parfaitement executé. Peut être un léger déficit de DOF sur les pattes et la queue, mais rien de grave.

gl

Hello Selen
Very nice shot of this ugly........Ahhhh well...... not really beautiful bird :)
Sharpness and exposure are excellent and I love the pose of the bird.
Catchlight in the eye is wonderful and so are details in the feathers.
Very well done. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards, Harry

Hi Selen,
It's a new species for me! We have some species of mockingbird in Argentina but this one looks ugly and dirty.
Details and close up are superb, I like BG as well.
Greetings
Hernán

Hi Selene,
I never saw this bird before. Maybe because I never been on Galapagos ;)
Great details and POV.
I like it!
TFS

Selen selam, duruşu ve bakışını güzel yakalamışsın. ışık ve renkleri çok beğendim

Hi Selaen
This guy looks really cool. I think you can call this image "Bad feather day" :)
TFS
Ralf

Hello Selen,
Good work again.
I don't know whether it is adaptive radiation but this fellow looks like he or she has had a shower.
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • falke Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 18 N: 479] (1863)
  • [2007-06-07 11:11]

This is a great photo of a unique bird, but we have come to expect that from you! It seems a bit wet or something... right?

I like the colours, the pose and the low POV. You were down on your belly I guess.
Regards/Bengt

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2007-06-07 12:08]

Merhaba Selen,
Çok güzel poz vermiş.Göz teması,detaylar,3 boyut etkisi ve kadraj 4/4 lük olmuş.Ellerine sağlık!

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2007-06-07 12:20]

Hi Selen

A very good composition that captures the cheeky nature of this bird. The expression is marvellous. POV and DOF great as well.

James

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-06-07 13:11]

Hello Selen,
Sharp capture of the Galapagos Mockingbird that looks like it has just had a bath.
The BG is a bit busy but blurred and the mockingbird is sharp enough to stand out.
Nice lighting.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2007-06-07 14:14]
  • [+]

Hello Selen,
A great photo of this bird. Sharp with a lovely pose and composition. Good POV and DOF.
Didn't you have a comb? For the feathers as well as for the BG?
Regards,
Peter

Hi Selen.
woow... ten je skaredyyyyyy
Very nice shot. Good DOV anf´d POV. Excellent work. Well done. tfs. Stev

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-06-07 22:53]

Hello Selen

Wonderful capture of this mockingbird from a unique biome.It must be fantastic to visit such a place.Well focused with sharp plumage detail.The colours and lighting are well handled.Very good DOF and POV.You have captured very good eye contact.well done.TFS

Rob

Hola Selen, me encanta el animal, con esa cara de enfadado en medio del campo seco. Esta muy ambientada la foto. Debe ser una especie muy memética. Enhorabuena por la captura. Saludos.

José Luis

Hola Selen,
Excelente imagen, la nitidez y detalles son extraordinarios, TFS. Saludos
José Ramón

merhaba Selen,
en güzel karelerden biri. netlik, detay ve çekim açısı mükemmel. verdiğin bilgiler de.
özellikle kuşun durup, ne yapıyor bu dercesine poz verişi çok güzel. eline sağlık, selamlar
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-06-08 17:11]

Merhaba Selen,
Looks wet, no? Very nice capture with terrific sharpness and color. Background is a bit distracting though, I mean not smooth. Was it windy, or is it f/7.1 perhaps? Curious.
Selamlar,
Hakan

Hi Selen ,
great details with excellent composition.
colours is beautiful and sharpness is great too.
Thanks for sharing
Regards
Saeed

Günaydın Selen, ışık ve renkler çok güzel.Sana poz vermiş resmen :-)

Beautiful portrait of this elusive bird.
Sharp, crisp details and wonderful point of view.
He stands off the page well against the muted browns.
Excellent work.
TFS
Simon

Hi Selen , is it after bath :) strange bird , very good comp. and resolution , TFS and good luck.

Dear Selen,
I loved the Galapagos and had a splendid 2 weeks there.

I love your work and add it to my group "nature's oddities"

The notes are very informative.

Greetings from the Tzaneen Dam, Limpopo, South Africa
Ingrid

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