Avian - 1st HM

Gallery: EPA 2011Posted June 21, 20114,334 views53 comments

Drake Wood Duck Flight

Mark IV, 800mm, f/9, 1/2000th, ISO 800, Wimberly, Natural Light

This was taken as the Drake was rising from his perch. He was about ten feet above it and gaining altitude.

I like the in-flight pose and the wings wrapping so deeply around him. I hope you find it interesting.

Comments always greatly appreciated.

Peter

Comments

53 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on June 21, 2011 at 10:16 PM

Very interesting POV Peter. Nice job on exposure and the wing position at what looks like bottom dead center isn't seen that often. Nicely captured.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on June 21, 2011 at 10:23 PM

wow, amazing catch, congrats

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on June 21, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Excellent shot, love the pose. Have never seen this angle before.
Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on June 21, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Great looking bird against a simple background, I like the pose and it isn't one I've seen before

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 21, 2011 at 10:38 PM

Very cool perspective, Peter. I don't think I've ever seen the wings in this position before and it really conveys the effort being exerted.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on June 21, 2011 at 10:39 PM

A unique image for sure. Looks like the focus was more toward the feet than the head but that's minor. Like the background and the colors

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

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on June 21, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Definitely a whole different perspective!

It's hard to imagine that's an efficient way to take off.
Beautiful.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on June 21, 2011 at 10:51 PM

Unusual shot, and I like it.........great capture, Peter.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Myers on June 21, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Unique look at a duck in flight. Wonderful sharpness in the head and torso, with just a hint of blur in the wings to to go along with the beautiful curl in them that adds a dynamic punch to the image. Good stuff.

Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on June 22, 2011 at 12:11 AM

An exceptional capture, Peter. I had no idea Wood Ducks wrapped their wings that tightly in flight. Very cool. Excellent detail considering how fast these birds move. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 22, 2011 at 4:41 AM

"Interesting" seriously understates my feelings for this one Peter, although I appreciate your apparent humility :^)

This is a truly awesome capture in my book; totally unique, perfectly frozen, wonderfully detailed, and beautifully coloured ... in summary: a real cracker of a shot, very well done and one to be well proud of, thanks for sharing :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 22, 2011 at 8:56 AM

Very interesting pose n great techs !
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on June 22, 2011 at 9:00 AM

Great perspective,awesome pose freeze....A unique shot.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Kedar Bhat on June 22, 2011 at 10:20 AM

its very very interesting image

Registered on April 7, 2008, 77 Posts, 357 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on June 22, 2011 at 12:42 PM

Peter. Great shot and DoF. I like the wing position and pose. All techs are spot on. Class image for me. Well done!

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Gorazd Golob on June 22, 2011 at 1:07 PM

Great, different pose as usually seen, clean background, special duck photo.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 23 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on June 22, 2011 at 1:18 PM

Unique perspective for this image- Stunning colours, awesome pose and a beautiful BG- A killer action shot indeed, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on June 22, 2011 at 2:22 PM

Pretty nice, I like it.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 22, 2011 at 3:56 PM

Sweet shot Peter. I love the bird's position. The BG is great too. Everything that needs to be sharp is sharp enough for me. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 22, 2011 at 4:22 PM

Awesome!

What great timing to catch this unique position, and to get it exposed correctly and sharp!

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on June 22, 2011 at 4:37 PM

Thanks everyone, I greatly appreciate the comments. You guys all understand what a strange hobby (addiction) this is. Hours of time and lots of "almosts", and then every once in a while a bit of luck catching an interesting action shot.

Thanks for looking, here's hoping for a bit of luck in the field for all of us.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on June 22, 2011 at 6:55 PM

This is amazing. Spectacular flight pose. Exceptional work here Peter!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 22, 2011 at 7:19 PM

Striking shot Peter - well done

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 22, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Peter:
It's a stunning shot that is also very informative, as mentioned in Jim DeWitt's comment, about wing positin during take-off.
An appreciative fellow addict.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 23, 2011 at 4:08 AM

Awesome Catch Peter

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on June 23, 2011 at 7:23 PM

That is just way too cool Peter. Love how the wings form a circle in front of the bird.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on June 24, 2011 at 9:13 AM

Awesome Peter! Love it.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 24, 2011 at 8:06 PM

Great timing! Very sharp and I like the way the wings look like they are wrapping around the body.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 27, 2011 at 2:24 AM

Whoa, sweet take off shot showing those curved wings Peter.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on June 28, 2011 at 8:08 PM

Big congrats on the WP Peter!

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

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on June 28, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Awesome photo and well deserved WP, Peter. I don't know how I missed it when posted but it's about as perfect as I can imagine.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 29, 2011 at 12:14 AM

Excellent choice for this week's pick, congratulations Peter, very well deserved :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 29, 2011 at 5:00 AM

Peter:
Congrats on the WP and the (still) stunning shot of the Wood Duck in flight.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 29, 2011 at 8:15 AM

Superb capture Peter. I love the pose and especially the eye contact. This is a special image.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 29, 2011 at 1:49 PM

Congratulations on the EP, Peter. A very strong and unusual image.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on June 29, 2011 at 5:34 PM

I just got back to town from a fishing trip out of "computer range" to see this. Thank you so much! The photography posted on this site is amazing each and every week so this is really special.

Also thank you to everyone that was nice enough to comment. It is great to have this resource.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 30, 2011 at 2:42 AM

Congrats on the WP!
Very fine shot!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 30, 2011 at 12:29 PM

Peter what an amazing catch with a great front angle. Congratulations

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM

Congrats Peter

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on June 30, 2011 at 6:56 PM

Nice shot Peter, one of the coolest duck images I've seen.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 6, 2011 at 10:51 PM

WHAT?!!! Wow!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on July 25, 2011 at 11:46 PM

Better late than never - congrats!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 2, 2012 at 8:16 PM

This is simply an awesome photo Peter. I can't believe that I missed it before - for that I apologize. Truly deserving of the Ist HM award - big congrats!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 3, 2012 at 1:06 AM

wonderful timing, colours, perspective, and techs - congrats on the 2011 win!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 3, 2012 at 12:53 PM

Excellent choice for the year end award. Congratulations.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on January 3, 2012 at 2:09 PM

Peter

Congrats on EPA award

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 3, 2012 at 6:50 PM

Peter...sorry I missed this one before...a very worthy choice! Congratulations! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 3, 2012 at 8:35 PM

Great image. Well deserving of the award. Congratulations

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

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on January 5, 2012 at 8:52 AM

Peter, This is a GREAT capture. Well deserved. Congrats

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 6, 2012 at 9:38 AM

Congratulations on the 1st HM, a wonderful image, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Rodrigo Sandoval on January 7, 2012 at 5:16 PM

Simply amazing. First time I see such avian body shot. :-)

Registered on April 4, 2009, 13 Posts, 254 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on January 8, 2012 at 8:40 AM

I have many Wood Duck shots, but very few in flight (they seem to be lazy birds). This is technically perfect, and the pose is brilliant. Wonderful work!

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Adam Smith on May 19, 2013 at 6:31 PM

Craziness, look at that sharpness and motion caught. I love this image. Great capture.

Registered on November 21, 2012, 16 Posts, 107 Comments