Mallard

Gallery: AvianPosted February 27, 2011105 views13 comments

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: February 11, 2011
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
ISO 400, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/500th @ f/8, -2/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 72% of full frame

As always: Not baited or controlled in any way. There's a brief period when the morning light creates very interesting colors and patterns on the water at this pond at the Water Ranch.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger version if possible.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM

Fine work on the bird, Richard, and the water is gorgeous. I also like the patterns of reflected light on the bird. You've also captured - and I hope I'm not being to anthropomorphic here - the wariness of a bird that was shot at all the way from Alaska to Arizona.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 27, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Richard,
I like the light on the duck's head, the catchlight in the eye, and especially the color of the water. Very nice.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 27, 2011 at 1:14 PM

I like the water, but I'm wondering more what the Duck is smiling about?

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 27, 2011 at 4:35 PM

The water colors is gorgeous Rich and I love the bits of reflected blue sky on the warmer tones of the water. The pose of the mallard is great and the eye contact is too. Wonderful, natural colors, sharpness and details as always. I feel like I am standing next to viewing this and that is something I really like in an image.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 27, 2011 at 8:49 PM

I like the slight head turn and the colors of the water and reflections

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 27, 2011 at 8:58 PM

nice colors and textures in the water, Rich, and I like the engaging look that the duck is giving you.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 28, 2011 at 4:16 AM

Love the light in this shot Rich. Water is awesome. Very natural, as if I was looking at this with live. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 28, 2011 at 5:35 AM

Lovely light and image quality Rich. A lower angle could made effctive use of those golds in the background but I know that's not always possible.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on February 28, 2011 at 8:38 AM

I have been trying to photograph these recently, they may be common but they are a beautiful duck. You do need the right light though to see their true colours and you have achieved that here. The rich golden colours of the water make this a very attractive image. Graham

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on March 1, 2011 at 5:55 AM

The colors in this shot a superb. Nice capture.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 1, 2011 at 8:30 AM

Nice detail/DOF and well composed. I especially like the warm gold tones of the water, it makes the shot!

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 2, 2011 at 12:18 AM

The colors are so beautiful, and also the texture of the water, and the light is wonderful.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 2, 2011 at 8:24 AM

Excellent Rich. Love the water colors, the slightly cocked head and the wary look from the duck.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments