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Coot Chicks
ChrisKten

Coot Chicks (Fulica atra)

Setting is a bit too messy really, and they wouldn't swim into the open yesterday morning, but four is the largest brood I've seen at the reservoirs previously, so I'm adding it to my gallery.

For those that don't already know: Coots react to a lack of available food by ignoring the weakest chicks; each time they beg for food, they peck them. Eventually they stop begging, and die of starvation. Cruel to us, but ensures the strongest survive through hard times.

Camera Maker: SONY
Camera Model: SLT-A58
Lens: 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
Image Date: 2015-07-23 07:19:46 (no TZ)
Focal Length: 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm)
Aperture: /5.0
Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160)
ISO equiv: 400
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)
White Balance: Manual
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Copyright: 2015 Chris K
Habitat
Reservoir
Location
London UK
Date taken
23/7/2015
Scientific name
Fulica atra
Equipment used
Sony SLT-A58 + Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG APO Macro
Staff member
Supporter
A cracker of a shot and info Chris, many tfs and I did not know that about the feeding.
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
What a lovely image that makes Chris.... we can't always get them out in the open and this shot goes some way to proving that.. just make the best of it LOL.

I think I did know about that behaviour from a telly programme so years ago, but forgot about it.

Thanks for the reminder and sharing this picture with us.
 

Media information

Category
Britain & Europe
Added by
ChrisKten
Date added
View count
183
Comment count
19

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