Male Bufflehead Stretch

Gallery: AvianPosted December 7, 2011116 views7 comments

November 23, 2011 Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve, CA
Nikon D-300 f/8 1/1600 ISO-400 -1 step 400mm
Center weighted average 29.9 meters away aperture priority
normal saturation & sharpness Manual white balance
CS5 crop

Comments and coaching welcome

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on December 7, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Like the action and iridescent colors in the head. Its a bit centered for my tastes

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 7, 2011 at 11:54 AM

Perhaps this is better composition.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 7, 2011 at 11:58 AM

Nice wing action and iridescence in the colors of the head. Whites look good, nice catchlight and the water looks good. Maybe a bit lower angle would improve it. I think I favor the less centered comp in this case.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 7, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Robert,
Wish I could have taken this from a lower angle. The bird was in a flood control channel, and I set up on the bank as low as possible. I was sitting on the ground when I took the shot. Thank you for the feedback, though, it is always helpful.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 7, 2011 at 11:42 PM

Nice job on the whites, Patrick. I like the wing position.

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

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on December 8, 2011 at 1:10 PM

You captured that hard to get irridescence of that bufflehead ,not an easy thing to do.lovely detail on those outstretched wings .only nit would prefer a lower angle .Lovely image altogether.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 8, 2011 at 2:40 PM

Suzanne,
Thank you for your encouraging comments. As someone who is usually a nit, I feel they are kindred spirits. But, thank you for your avid defense! The channel was at least 10 feet below where we were standing. My shooting partner was lamenting about the high angle. With the low horizons I have, I was grateful for the shots. Absent the safety of the channel, Buffleheads in Bolsa Chica don't let us get close enough to get good shots.

I want to thank EVERYONE for their comments. I learn something from everybody and welcome the feedback.

Patrick

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments