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Western Capercaillie


Western Capercaillie
Photo Information
Copyright: Razvan Zinica (zetu) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888] (16941)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-04-28
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40d, Canon EF 100-400 mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM, Jessops UV 77mm
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/40 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2012-04-28 9:58
Viewed: 2851
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
New specie in my gallery

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Male and female Western Capercaillie - the cocks and the hens - can be discriminated easily by their size and colouration. The cock is much bigger than the female. The largest one ever recorded in captivity had a weight of 7.2 kg. (15.9 lbs). He can range from 74 to 90 cm (29 to 35 in) in length with wingspan of 87 to 125 cm (34–49 in) and an average weight of over 4 kg (8.8 lb).[3] The body feathers are coloured dark grey to dark brown, breast feathers are dark green metallic shining. The belly and undertail coverts vary from black to white depending on race (see below).
The hen is much smaller, weighing about half as much as the cock. Her body from beak to tail is approximately 54–64 cm (21–25 in) long, the wingspan is 70 cm (28 in) and she weighs 1.5-2.5 kg (3.3-5.5 lbs). Feathers on her upper parts are brown with black and silver barring, on the underside they are more light and buffish-yellow.
Both sexes have a white spot on the wing bow. They have feathered legs, especially in the cold season for protection against cold. Their toe rows of small, elongated horn tacks provide a snowshoe effect that led to the German family name "Rauhfußhühner", literally translated as "rough feet chickens".
These so called "courting tacks" make a clear track in the snow in winter. Both sexes can be distinguished very easily by the size of their footprints.
There is a bright red spot of naked skin above each eye. In German hunters' language, these are the so-called "roses".
The small chicks resemble the hen in their cryptic colouration, which is a passive protection against predators. Additionally, they wear black crown feathers. At an age of about 3 months, in late summer, they moult gradually towards the adult plumage of cocks and hens. The eggs are about the same size and form as chicken eggs, but are more speckled with brown spots.
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Critiques [Translate]

Ciao Razvan. Evene if in low light colours are so efficent. Stunning details and good sharp against the brilliant BG.

Roberto

Ciao Razvan, great capture of lovely bird in nice standing pose, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Very very nice Razvan, one you can be proud of indeed!!
TFS

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2012-04-28 12:20]

Hello Razvan,
Fantastic photo of this Western Capercaillie, which is very rare in my country. Only a few birds left in the wild, two males and six females.
Excellent sharpness, details and beautiful colours. Taken from a great low POV.
Regards,
Peter

Ciao Razvan.
Grande nitidezza di questa foto con notevoli particolari,stupendi i colori reali molto bella complimenti.
Ciao Marco.

barthatibor
Hello Razvan,
Fantastic photo with amazing details,perfect focus of birds,splendid sharpness and wonderful natural colors.
Best regards
Tibi

  • Great 
  • pegos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 222 W: 0 N: 356] (1982)
  • [2012-04-29 7:10]

Beautiful capture, Razvan!
Sharp image with beautiful soft light and great POV; nice natural colours and excellent contrast with a blurred background. Very well done!
Regards
Enrico

great portrait, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2012-04-29 22:47]

Hi,
Beautiful species, fine pose and composition. tfs.
nagraj.v

Impressive bird and impressive new addition to your gallery Razvan! Very good composition, wonderful pose, nice lighting and good sharpness!
Regards,
Christodoulos

Hi Razvan

Great shot of this species I haven't seen before. Excellent low-down POV and sharpness

Chris

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2012-05-01 4:37]

Bonjour Razvan,
A most beuatiful bird which I would be proud too to have in my gallery. Fine natural shot showing so well the beauty of the artistic plumage of the Capercaillie.
Love the way the bird looks at the photographer too!
Kind regards
Anne

Bonjour Razvan,
Agréable valorisation du sujet dans une belle lumière et sous une bonne profondeur de champ.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • Chiza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 133 W: 0 N: 474] (5351)
  • [2012-05-19 8:14]

Hola Razvan; excelente foto de una especie fabulosa; me gusta la nitidez, enfoque y sobre todo el entorno...saludos.

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