Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted October 7, 201095 views9 comments

Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)

Place: Scottsdale, AZ
Date: December 3, 2005
Equipment: Nikon D70, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8, TC20E (2x), tripod
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, ISO 200, 1/200th, f/8
Slight crop from right edge for balance

Another reworked image, first posted here on 12/07/05. The weather has finally improved in Phoenix – we're out of the triple digits! And the winter birds are starting to show up so maybe I'll get some new material soon.

This is a rare species in Arizona – the first of only three reported in my 16 years in AZ. It ended up settling in with a flock of "bread ducks" at a local park so my photographic challenge was getting a clean unclipped image without other ducks in the frame.

As always: honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 7, 2010 at 10:14 PM

The D70 was a wonderful camera for 6 + MP. Well taken, with a good head turn and catch light. I would like to have seen it in more profile, at least enough to get the backside in good focus. Still, it is a good angle and only a small nit.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 7, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Spectacular, love that morning lighting and the subtle head turn. The smaller details put it over the top though, like the drops of the feathers and the evidence of surface tension where the water meets the bird.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 7, 2010 at 11:03 PM

I really like that golden light. Nice sharp detail in the head. I like the rest of the bird being darker. Really brings out the beauty of the front end.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on October 8, 2010 at 1:13 AM

Sweet light and a wonderful bird for central AZ. Nice DOF for the low light and a lovely head turn. Excellent, Richard.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 8, 2010 at 10:32 AM

Excellent light Rich. Great headturn, light in the eye and profile of the bill. I especially like the warm tones of the duck on that lovely blue water that has reflections echoing the color of the bird. Fine techs as always.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 8, 2010 at 11:42 PM

The lighting and detail on the face are really beautiful. I think ideally you would have a little more depth of field for the back side of the bird which is facing us but it doesn't look like you had a lot of light to work with.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on October 9, 2010 at 1:00 PM

I think that the light and the detail of the head of the duck really makes this image, Richard. The fuzzy rear end detracts from it a little. I wonder if you could crop this into more of a profile shot to get rid of it. Anyway, no question: beautiful image regardless.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 10, 2010 at 10:51 AM

I like your comp here Rich. Shows great detail in the head and the shadow areas. Great warm lighting and shadow play. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 22, 2010 at 11:28 AM

Well framed, sharp details at the head/beak Richard.
Interesting light, like the sparkle in its eye

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments