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Black Necked Swan


Black Necked Swan
Photo Information
Copyright: Michael Halliday (pompey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 144 W: 4 N: 746] (2774)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-02-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300 D, Canon EF 75-300/4.0-5.6 III, Skylight
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Swans [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-02-08 14:10
Viewed: 5178
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Black Necked Swan

Cygnus melanocoryphus

Range: The southern half of South America.

Habitat: Lakes and marshes, preferably of large size. Can also be found in brackish estuaries in parts of its range.

Description: Plumage of the body and lower neck is white. Remainder of neck and head is black. Bill is bluish-grey with a bright red caruncle at the base. There is a white line from the forehead, around the eye and extending towards the back of the head. Males and females look the same with males being slightly larger in size, although there is not an appreciable difference.

Sexual Maturity: 3-4 years of age.

Reproduction: Breeding season is from July to November (January to May in the northern hemisphere). Courtship displays consist of the birds circling each other, calling repeatedly while moving the head and neck up and down. Nests are built in lakes and swamps in shallow water, or among waterside vegetation. It is made of loosely constructed plant material. The male mounts an almost continuous guard on the nest with the female incubating the eggs.

Incubation: 33-36 days in captivity; incubation in the wild has not been determined. Chicks are down covered, white with black bill, legs, and feet. They are carried on the adults' backs for 2-3 weeks where they are hard to detect.

General Info:
Most aquatic of the swans, seldom leaving the water.
Occur in flocks outside of the breeding season.
Have a shy disposition and are hard to approach.
Has more of a whistling sound than other swans.

Photographed at the Wetland and Wildfowl Centre in Arundel, Sussex.
liquidsunshine, azulu, Fisher, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Very good shot Michael,
I haven't seen one of these yet, But hope to soon.
Good reflection and colours
Thanks for posting

A beautiful swan. I have never seen one of these real.
Good shot, with nitid colors.
thanks for that long explanation.

  • Great 
  • azulu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 111 W: 0 N: 75] (374)
  • [2005-02-08 14:37]

Very nice shot Michael. Good colors and sharpness. I like the reflections. Nice note. Good job.

Congratulations

Alexandre

  • Great 
  • Sneza Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 94 W: 27 N: 16] (672)
  • [2005-02-08 14:53]

Beautiful photo.
I've never seen swan of this kind.
Good composition and POV.
Reflection and colors are good too.
Nice shot.

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-02-08 18:40]

A very good reflection of the swan. Neat colors in this one. Well done on the warm composition.

Mike

Michael, You have managed to capture not only an excellent reflection of the winter golden browns in the water but also the Swans reflection with amazing clarity! Great detail & colors in the subject with that graceful long neck in black lookin' mighty fine IMO!! Great job!!

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-02-09 6:27]

Very nice Michael, I love he reflected colours in the water. The swan is well seen and the exposure is very good considering the contrasty subject. My only critisism would be that the swan's eye is not visible. Very nice work.

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2005-02-09 12:41]

This bird is new to me as is nearly all your posts Michael. The reflection is very good. well done

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