Mallard Over Snow

Gallery: AvianPosted January 3, 2010228 views17 comments

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/1600s, f5.6, iso 500

Although I regularly photograph mallards, I had never been able to get close to a flight shot until yesterday. Our local loch is frozen over (as are most in the UK) apart from a small area, in which all the birds compete for space. This makes it a bit easier to predict their flight path. I like the way the wing touches the snow. I'll be visiting this loch again.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 3, 2010 at 5:02 PM

Ian,

A gorgeous image with amazing simplicity!

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on January 3, 2010 at 5:05 PM

I'm with Luke on this one, simply gorgeous! Those wings clipping the snow makes it for me.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 3, 2010 at 5:31 PM

Simply Beautiful!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 3, 2010 at 5:47 PM

Your large version is just fabulous....ya got him right through the nostrils! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on January 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM

That's a terrific flight capture Ian. Really sharp throughout with lovely colours and i like the composition. Reminds me of the set of ducks people use to hang on their walls. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmie Fata on January 3, 2010 at 6:37 PM

I have so many mallards around my house and have been looking for a good shot. This is a great shot and it has me inspired.

Registered on December 27, 2009, 14 Posts, 55 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on January 3, 2010 at 6:58 PM

Love the colors of the duck, and the fact that the wings are just ever-so-touching the snow is sooooo cool! Excellent!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Diaz on January 3, 2010 at 7:17 PM

Love the shadow on the snow. The image is great... Congratulations

Registered on December 24, 2009, 4 Posts, 25 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 3, 2010 at 7:43 PM

A wonderful minimalist image with great technicals and exposure.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 3, 2010 at 7:59 PM

This is an unusual setting for a mallard. You really nailed the focus and captured the green head brilliantly. The shadow adds a lot of interest and gives some dimension. Good stuff!!!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on January 3, 2010 at 8:51 PM

Wonderful inflight shot, Ian. The almost lack of a BG makes it interesting for me.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 3, 2010 at 10:43 PM

Beautiful, Ian. I really like the low flight here. The eye looks a touch odd to me.-I'm not sure what's going on there.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 3, 2010 at 11:00 PM

The colors of the Mallard really jump right off of the page when put against the snowy background. Amazing, Ian.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 4, 2010 at 11:49 AM

Very cool image Ian, I like how the wing is just above the ice

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on January 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM

Thats a great shot. Love the wing tips just touching the ground.

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 4, 2010 at 2:56 PM

Ian, I too like this. Super contrast of colors and I love the shadow.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 4, 2010 at 10:17 PM

Ian,

The simplicity of this image is wonderful. Love the colors, the snow, how the ting tip is touching the snow and the sahdow.

Beautiful as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments