Any birder will confirm, if your looking for Bufflehead ducks, look far away. These handsome diving waterfowl are on the small side and extremely wary, usually keeping lots of distance between themselves and humans. Over the years I've attempted many shots with the long lens hoping to get a glimpse of their unique overall white and black pattern, a challenge to pull off without blowing out the whites.
At Portland's Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens last week I was lucky enough to have 8 pairs working a pond come to within 20 feet of my position. The real icing on the cake here is the head feathers iridescent colors captured when the sun is over a shoulder and the drake turns his head just right, rarely seen.
In years of pursuing this specie I had a "payday" with several nice closeups.
Additional images at,
http://www.craigstrandphotography.com/p43834098
canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
F/5.6 1/1250 ISO 200
tripod, wimberley head, cable
Comments
5 commentsEverything you said is true - very difficult to catch, let alone with the exquisite iridescence.
Sandy