Curlew And Crab
by Mitch Shindelbower
Title
Curlew And Crab
Artist
Mitch Shindelbower
Medium
Photograph
Description
The curlews (/ˈkɜːrljuː/), genus Numenius, are a group of nine species of birds, characterised by long, slender, downcurved bills and mottled brown plumage. The English name is imitative of the Eurasian curlew's call, but may have been influenced by the Old French corliu, "messenger", from courir , "to run". It was first recorded in 1377 in Langland's Piers Plowman "Fissch to lyue in þe flode..Þe corlue by kynde of þe eyre".[1] In Europe "curlew" usually refers to one species, the Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata.
They are one of the most ancient lineages of scolopacid waders, together with the godwits which look similar but have straight bills.[2]
Curlews feed on mud or very soft ground, searching for worms and other invertebrates with their long bills. They will also take crabs and similar items.
Curlews enjoy a worldwide distribution. Most species show strong migratory habits and consequently one or more species can be encountered at different times of the year in Europe, Ireland, Britain, Iberia, Iceland, Africa, Southeast Asia, Siberia, North America, South America and Australasia.
The distribution of curlews has altered considerably in the past hundred years as a result of changing agricultural practices. Reclamation and drainage of marshy fields and moorland, and afforestation of the latter, have led to local decreases, while conversion of forest to grassland in some parts of Scandinavia has led to increases there.[3][clarification needed] There are now only a small number of curlews in Ireland and Britain raising concerns that the bird will go extinct in those countries.[4]
The stone-curlews are not true curlews (family Scolopacidae) but members of the family Burhinidae, which is in the same order Charadriiformes, but only distantly related within that.
Uploaded
April 3rd, 2021
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Comments (23)
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Danielle R T Haney
Such a Beautiful, Heavenly Glow to this~ not sure if the Crab feels that way~ or maybe it does... Nevertheless, a SPECTACULAR Image Mitch!!
Angelo Marcialis
Congratulations, your Fine Art Photograph is a FEATURED IMAGE this week on the Home Page of the FAA Group; ‘The Magic Hour Of Blue And Gold Photography’. To ensure that your feature is archived properly, I invite you to post your photograph in the group's ‘Featured Photographs And Thank You Thread #8- April/2021’, and to create your own personal ‘Thank You For the Feature: Promotional Thread’ as well.
Hanne Lore Koehler
Fantastic capture and digital creativity, Mitch! Magnificent detail, color and reflection! Love how you have made the horizon disappear! L/F
Meg Shearer
Gorgeous shot! I love how the water melds into the sky so seamlessly! And love the reflections!
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