p.1 #1 · End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
Hi PhotoFriends,
I mentioned to you all in January that I was saving my best waterfowl for last!
All my captures in this thread have not been shared with you all!
I figured since its almost Spring why not share them now
These photos were all taken with the 1DX, 800mm & 1.4 teleconverter. I go to a local lake. Its long enough you cannot see from end to end. As the winter progresses, it freezes pushing the duck and goose population to the one end with open water. This was in January. February was much colder and snow. I set up the tripod on its lowest setting and sit down on the edge of the lake on a strong space blanket, then sit on one of those stadium cushions on the ground, inches from the ice and frozen mud. I dress as warm as I can. There are a few hardy birders walking around but that is it. Oh yeah, I also got yelled at by one guy in camo because I wasnt wearing camo, as if the ducks floating around cant see the strange 2 legged, 2 arms creatures pointing these huge lens at them. We are in the middle of civilization, not 20 miles deep in the wilderness.
Here are my new adorable winter ducks to view and my thoughts on my photos if you care to read them
There are one or two male buffleheads with many females around. Usually they are far, far away. I waited about three hours in the cold for them to come close enough to get this. The brown you see in the water is the reflection of the brown trees into the lake. I love their colorful heads. He looks like a happy fellow and love how his eye just glistens!
There is a small group of male and female mallards in the lake. This boy is pretty big, in fact, massive. Hes so big his eyes are above mine! The light blue in the water meant the sun was partially out. The coloration in his neck is beautiful. I know mallards are common but this guy I liked. It is a very cool pose.
I love the light, pose and low angle in this one. His eye is so pretty!
There was a small flock of Canvasbacks that took up residence. Most times, they are pretty far away. But when the crowds are gone, they come closer to shore. This was one of those days. Brown reflective water from the tree line. A slight reverse vignette around the edges. Not sure I could have caught him better.
If you have been following my threads, you have seen a photo similar to this one. I was saving my best photo of that pose for this special thread. I hope you like it!
I sure do.
Good eye and feather detail. I really like him.
I think it is sweet girly pose, I really love this shot!
And the reflection really makes it special with the earth tones of the water all around him.
His beak in the air is pretty cool too!
I got too close to this guy. He was closer than full frame. But I like getting tight portraits because you get more detail. He must of just had lunch. The mud on beak adds to the shot.
A solitary male redhead duck took up residence with the Mallards. He hanged with them and stayed fairly close to shore. Not sure what he is doing here but there is a story in there somewhere.
The same goes with this photo, you may of seen my similar photo before but this one the eye was much better so I saved it for this thread, my favorite duck thread.
It was such a treat to get him standing up in the water and getting his eye in focus because he was moving some. Love the waves around him and the cool looking water.
p.1 #2 · End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
A super selection BB. I'm not going to attempt to pick a favourite, but as always I am partial to the Buffleheads especially #1 and #12. I just wish I could get this close to them when they arrive here in a months time. Usually they barely fill the metering circle at 1200mm. Maybe I need some camo Although I'm sitting on the ice so maybe a white snow suit will be best
p.1 #8 · End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
You saved the best wine 'til last!!! These are good, but it's obvious the birds are terribly frightened by your appearance; you'd get much closer with camo!!!
#3 is the stand-out for me here and should be printed and hung in a prominent place on the BB wall of fame!!
Don
p.1 #9 · End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
You saved the best wine 'til last!!! These are good, but it's obvious the birds are terribly frightened by your appearance; you'd get much closer with camo!!!
#3 is the stand-out for me here and should be printed and hung in a prominent place on the BB wall of fame!!
Don
p.1 #11 · End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
arbitrage wrote:
A super selection BB. I'm not going to attempt to pick a favourite, but as always I am partial to the Buffleheads especially #1 and #12. I just wish I could get this close to them when they arrive here in a months time. Usually they barely fill the metering circle at 1200mm. Maybe I need some camo Although I'm sitting on the ice so maybe a white snow suit will be best
TFS
Geoff
I am honored by your very sweet reply Geoff!
I hope you get to see a Buffy come close to shore real soon
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks so much!
BB
p.1 #14 · End of Winter My Favorite Duck Variety -- (22)
This is a stunning set, BeeBalm, just stunning. How the heck do you ever decide what to hang on your walls??
You are just nailing the technical details, too.I really can't pick a favorite but I do really like #21, dirty neck and all.
Mark
Although I'm sitting on the ice so maybe a white snow suit will be best
Lucky