Long-tailed Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted March 1, 201087 views6 comments

Long Tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

Talk about “weird ducks”. Every time I see this image I’m reminded of the look of an old fox terrier I used to have. The strange coloration marks this duck as a non-breeding male and he was on the shore of Lake Ontario near Toronto. These ducks are called long tailed for a reason. Although it’s barely visible in this image the bird does have a very long and slender black tail. I can’t determine for certain because of the dark water but it may have been snipped a bit in this image. Also, I would have liked to be closer for this shot. However, these ducks are championship divers: they regularly dive to greater than 60 meters (about 200 ft) and tend to stay in deep waters far from shore.

I see that the migration range of this duck extends from Alaska to the Gulf Coast. So, although they are new to me, many of you may already be familiar with them.

I’ve used up pretty well all of my exotic Cuba vacation shots. So, now, as you see, I’m back trying to capture some decent bird images during the Canadian winter. Well, Spring is not too far away…..

All comments very welcome.

EOS 7D, EF 400 mm f/5.6: ISO 500, 1/1000 s, f/11, image is 2734 x 1823 pixels (=5.0 MP or only 28% of the 18 MP of the 7D).

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 1, 2010 at 8:04 AM

an attractive shot despite the limitations of the large crop. the water looks good too. I might try sharpening the eye a little more.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 1, 2010 at 12:41 PM

Wonderful capture, Steve. I especially like the head turn, the detail and the intensely blue water.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 1, 2010 at 5:17 PM

I like this Steve. My only wish, a bit lower angle. However, that may not have been possible.

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on March 2, 2010 at 9:21 AM

Looks like a puppy with dangling ears. Would love to see one. Nice capture.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 2, 2010 at 9:17 PM

I would love to have this species in my files Steve. Nice job.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 4, 2010 at 6:49 AM

Steve,

This must have been very challenging to expose properly with the whites on the head and back, the dark feathers and the dark navy blue water. I think you did well to not blow out the whites on the top of the head. I do find myself wishing that the black tip of the bill was positined so that it had lighter colored water behind it, the tip seems to get lost in the darker water behind it here.

I love the great look at the duck's eye, the feeling of cold, crisp water and the way the ducks seems connected to you from the eye contact.

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