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Whats down ere then


Whats down ere then
Photo Information
Copyright: Andy Manning (toucan1967) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 711 W: 129 N: 798] (4349)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-20
Categories: Humorous, Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-20 1:59
Viewed: 132
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This was taken this morning at Stover country park,it made me chuckle that the Heron seemed to be looking out from under his wing while preening.

PP
Converted from RAW
Cropped
Resized for TL (forgot to drop to 72dpi !!)
USM

Preening

Preening is a seemingly more careful process than bathing and often follows bathing.

The bird gently strokes or nibbles along the barbs of each feather, starting at the quill and working towards the tip, so that they are properly arranged.

In addition, most birds have an oil-secreting gland, called the preen gland (or uropygial gland) underneath their tail - this is the Parson's nose on a chicken or goose. The bird rubs its bill against the gland and then spreads the oil over the surface of the feathers. This oil keeps the feathers flexible and aids waterproofing but also kills bacteria and fungi.

For some species of birds, for example wildfowl and seabirds, such as Mallards and Black-headed Gulls, oiling the feathers is particularly important to that the feathers do not become water-logged while in the water.

Some other species, such as Wood Pigeons, do not rely on oil but on a waxy powder for keeping the feathers flexible and waterproof. The waxy powder comes from special feathers called powder down.
Ramdan, gerbilratz has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Andy,
Interesting capture through observation of the Heron's activity. It looked funny with its preening posture. The shot has fine clarity and your note is great.

Regards,
Ramdan.

Hi Andy
Nice shot...good colours and compostion
made me laugh...heron's are such contortionists!
Cheers
Linzi

Hi Andy... very good timing to get this bird cloaking itself. good details and colouration to the feathers... I like the central pose, an interesting composition. regards h

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