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Song Thrush


Song Thrush
Photo Information
Copyright: Hilary Wilkinson (Hil) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50, Panasonic DMW-LT55
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite photos of birds singing, Alex99's favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-09 12:53
Viewed: 10502
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 78
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi All, back online again after losing my browser, then a error message said bad image and wouldn't let me sign on, then another problem after that, I've re-installed by broadband 8 times and just about had enough, so sorry about missing on critiques, I will catch up hopefully.

This Song Thrush was sitting on the post that my washing line is attached to, not as nice as a natural perch but I was able to sneak up hiding behind my washing. Its was making an almighty racquet probably due to my part time cat that lying on its back eyeing the Thrush!

The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a thrush that breeds across much of Eurasia. It is also known in English dialects as throstle or mavis. It has brown upperparts and black-spotted cream or buff underparts and has three recognised subspecies. Its distinctive song, which has repeated musical phrases, has frequently been referred to in poetry.

The Song Thrush breeds in forests, gardens and parks, and is partially migratory with many birds wintering in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; it has also been introduced into New Zealand and Australia. Although it is not threatened globally, there have been serious population declines in parts of Europe, possibly due to changes in farming practices.

The Song Thrush builds a neat mud-lined cup nest in a bush or tree and lays four or five dark-spotted blue eggs. It is omnivorous and has the habit of using a favourite stone as an "anvil" on which to smash snails. Like other perching birds (passerines), it is affected by external and internal parasites and is vulnerable to predation by cats and birds of prey.

Description

The sexes are similar, with plain brown backs and neatly black-spotted cream or yellow-buff underparts, becoming paler on the belly. The underwing is warm yellow, the bill is yellowish and the legs and feet are pink. The upperparts of this species become colder in tone from west to east across the breeding range from Sweden to Siberia. The juvenile resembles the adult, but has buff or orange streaks on the back and wing coverts.

The most similar European thrush species is the Redwing (T. iliacus), but that bird has a strong white supercilium, red flanks, and shows a red underwing in flight. The Mistle Thrush (T. viscivorus) is much larger and has white tail corners, and the Chinese Thrush (T. mupinensis), although much more similar in plumage, has black face markings and does not overlap in range.

The Song Thrush has a short, sharp tsip call, replaced on migration by a thin high seep, similar to the Redwing's call but shorter. The alarm call is a chook-chook becoming shorter and more strident with increasing danger. The male's song, given from trees, rooftops or other elevated perches, is a loud clear run of musical phrases, repeated two to four times, filip filip filip codidio codidio quitquiquit tittit tittit tereret tereret tereret, and interspersed with grating notes and mimicry. It is given mainly from February to June by the Outer Hebridean race, but from November to July by the more widespread subspecies. For its weight, this species has one of the loudest bird calls.

An individual male may have a repertoire of more than 100 phrases, many copied from its parents and neighbouring birds. Mimicry may include the imitation of man-made items like telephones, and the Song Thrush will also repeat the calls of captive birds, including exotics such as the White-faced Whistling Duck.

Listen to the Song Thrush here, laos watch a video clip

Notes from wilkipedia.com
Song Link from the RSPB Website

Cropped & Resized
eqshannon, jaycee, Jamesp, Juyona, aido, CeltickRanger, gracious, ramthakur, Argus, eng55, Royaldevon, marhowie, uleko, Luis52, dB_grafix, maurydv, SelenE, MMM, jeanpaul, hester, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To lawbert: ThanksHil 1 06-09 13:48
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Critiques [Translate]

Well at least your aviary can open its beak:-) and you just missed by two being my neighbor...for today I am late, but your image is fine...and quite informational as well..
Bob

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-06-09 13:16]

Hi Hilary,

Computer problems are the MOST frustrating - I know how you feel. A beautiful capture of this Song Thrush singing. Excellent details of the face, plummage and even the feet. Nice natural colors. I love the pose and the setting.

Jane

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  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-06-09 13:17]

Hello Hilary

Lovely composition with a lovely pose and very good detail.

James

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  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 838 W: 60 N: 2307] (9477)
  • [2008-06-09 13:27]

Hello Hilary,

Splendid picture of this Song Thrush. Excellent POV, DOF and sharpness. Good OOF background. Light and colours are great.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hello Hil
I just love Song Thrushes and I have seen only one in my garden in the last year...Your picture here is superb..beak open..sharp details...lovely bg..and not a bit of washing in view!!
Well seen and very well captured.
All the Best
Paul

(a good race yesterday..Danny and Rossi seem to be having the upperhand now)

this pic is so sharp and clear its almost look like a 3D image.
very nicely done. TFS!

Hi Hilary

After gremlins a nice shot to bounce back with. Dizzyingly nice BG with a pose that shut from the screen. I especially like its frontage with a nice show of the plumage.

Jai

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  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2008-06-09 14:22]

Hola Hilary,
hermosa foto,
con buen foco y detalles excelente plumaje,
saludos

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  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2008-06-09 14:37]

Hi Hilary,
This is an excellent image. Technically everything is on the mark, no improvements there. I always know when my cats are back after a day out because a female blackbird starts making a racket and hopping along the top of the fence :-)
Regards,
Adrian

Hello Hilary,
This is a well composed photo with this lovely bird singing. The sharpness is amazing and the DOF perfect, with a nice background. TFS,
Catherine

hello Hilary

very beautiful shot of the Song Thrush with very fine POV, DOF
and framing, wonderful luminosity of the image,
great sharpness and details, i love his pose and singing action,

TFS

Asbed

Hello Hilary,
Nice to see your posting once again!
many thanks for this beautiful song Thrush!
very nice pose with good sharpness, colour and details
many thanks for the sharing
take care and my regards
Tony

Sorry about your computer problems, Hilary.
Hope all is well now and in working order.
Your image of a Song Thrush is a delight to look at. You have managed a crisp picture with spot-on focus and perfect details and colours.
Well done and all the best.
Ram

Hello Hil,
Well done...
Good POV and DOF.
Well composed..
TFS
Annick

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  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-06-10 1:03]

A fantastic capture Hil!
A portrait of a Song Thrush couldn't be better than this, short of a few artistic nuances depending on the lighting etc. But as a straightforward portrait of the species this is perfect in every way and it's going into my favourites.
In Sweden they are hard to capture as they arre less common and shy.
Glad you're back in action and TFS!
Ivan

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  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2008-06-10 4:32]

Hi Hilary,
Wonderful capture of this thrush.I liked timing,POV,details,sharpness and composition a lot.Excellent work!
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-06-10 6:35]

Hi Hilary,
Wonderful shot of this beautiful Song Thrush singing its heart out. Very impressive colours and details on its plumage with great lighting. The darkish BG helps in highlighting the sunjects nicely. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi Hilary
Song Thrush is really nice bird and you did good work by showing that.
TFS
Ralf

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  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-06-10 11:03]

Hello Hilary,
Don't have much time, very beautiful photo.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Hilary

Wonderful clear shot of a pretty song bird. It's great the way the light is showing off the chest markings. Good BG that makes the subject stand out. Thanks also for your kind comments on my poppy shot.

Vinny

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  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-06-10 13:58]

Excellent shot, Hil!
I once had a problem that my home computer wouldn't load TN... though it was fine with every other website!
Great BG-blurring DOF.
Superb sharpness and clarity.
Brilliant light.

Well done,
Joe

Hello Hil,

It is so interesting to see your thrush with its beak open! Usually, they make the most beautiful songs but you're right, the alarm call was probably due to the sight of the cat!

I love my cats, but I do get annoyed with them when they spend a lot of their time trying to frighten the birds that I am trying so hard to attract! I say 'frighten' loosely! You know what cats are like! Fingers crossed - no casualties this year!

Your photograph has lovely details showing the speckled breast to perfection and the colours are just right! The attractive green b/g makes a lovely backcloth.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

m,any thanks for your warm comments on 'The story of the Jackdaw'.

Hi Hil,
Very nice capture, I like the POV/pose & complimentary BG most of all. Great detail/DOF, color, exposure, and a well composed frame :)
Howard

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  • izler Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1387 W: 3 N: 9] (44)
  • [2008-06-11 12:46]

hello Hilary
wonderful capture of this cute bird
i like pose, POV, colours and details
thanks for sharing
regards
izler

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  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-06-12 0:47]

Hello Hilary,
A great capture of this Song Thrush in a fine pose. Great focus on the eye and fine sharp details. Lovely light and colours too. Going by its dirty beak it has just been digging for worms! Perhaps it has a nest near where your cat has settled!
TFS and cheers, Ulla

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  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2008-06-12 20:17]

Hi Hil-
I really love birds, and most of all when I ear them singin like this one. Great pose and excellent photo too.
Saludos Hil.
Luis52.

You got it in a nice pose Hilary. A good perch with a open beak is a capture we all strive for. The darkness and colour of background add a nice touch to this.I like how you paid attention to the focus.
Glad you have the PC sorted now.Sounded frustrating.
Take care.
Doug

Hi Hil you are taking some amazing shots this one is superb, fine detail great pose and wonderfull light. Perfect timing with the singing beak. Nice one, best rgds Necip

Splendido momento di cattura di questo tordo dal canto melodioso, eccellenti POV e composizione, ottima nitidezza e molto belli i particolari del becco e dell'occhio, bellissimi i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

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  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2008-06-15 23:04]

Hi Hil,
Focus, sharpness, light, POV, pose you captured and composition look very good. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Hi Hilary,

Lovely shot of this female thrush, with nice composition and a good pose from the bird. Perfect pov and depth of field and I love the way the bird stands out against the dark background.

Mike

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  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2008-06-17 7:16]

Hi Hilary
Sorry I had miss your beautiful presentation.Good POV and sharp image.LIght is excellent.I like your subject pos and I also like htat catch light in the eye.Nice OOF BG also.

Hi Hilary ,
Very nice shot at lovely moment.
Great details with good BG.
well done
Regards
Saeed

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  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-19 7:10]

Hello Hil

An excellent pov for this singing thrush.
The focus is sharp with lovely detail.
Lovely warm lighting.
TFS

Rob

Salut Hilary
C'est une très belle image en close-up du Bruant chanteur,
avec un excellent POV et cadrage, bell pose de l'oiseau , superbe netteté et détails,

Bravo et au revoir...JP

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  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2008-06-25 12:27]

Hi Hilary

Wonderful shot of this Song Thrush. I love the fact you have caught it mid song, the setting is lovely and it is pin sharp. The lighting is great as well.

TFS

Karan

bonjour hilary
une bien belle image
le pov est tres bon et la netteté inpeccable sur l'oiseau.
le thuyas derriere auraient un peu plus loin cela aurait fait un plus beau flou mais c'est deja bien comme cela.
laurent

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  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-07-01 23:56]

Hi Hil.
It is really amazing picture and my next favorite one. Subject is fantastic and quality of the shot is outstanding. Bird is reflected by the best way. All details are superb. BG is fine as main object. Lights, dark green colours and blurriness are amazing too. Well done and TFS.
Alexei.

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  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 483 W: 0 N: 1345] (10867)
  • [2010-08-19 7:25]

Hi Hilary,

I can hear this bird sing! Fine pose and very natural representation of this superb singing bird.

regards,
Zeno

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