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Mallard
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Mallard

by Richard Ditch

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 2012136 views5 comments
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: February 7, 2012, 2:39 pm
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
ISO 800, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/1000th @ f/7.1
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 90% of full frame
Not baited or set up, no cloning

Not my typical subject or setting, but I couldn’t resist this drake Mallard resting on the railing of the floating footbridge. I kept the ISO and shutter speed high to compensate for the movement of the bridge I was standing on.

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

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 24, 2012 at 3:03 PM
A fine fat fellow. Nice detail. well placed in the frame.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Strand on March 24, 2012 at 3:38 PM
I still feel that Mallards are often unappreciated due to their numbers in N. America. This is a well seen and composed representation Richard with most of his gorgeous coloration shown in this frontal view. The head turn and iridescence superb! Great job.
Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 25, 2012 at 1:29 AM
I never pass up an opportunity to shoot one of these beauties, no matter how many are around. A good look at this fine fellow. :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 25, 2012 at 8:42 AM
The colors and detail are beautiful here, Richard. I was reading that the brown chest plumage in male mallards is closely inspected by the females. The more pristine it is, the better. In fights between males they try to ruin each others brown patch. This fellow is obviously a good fighter! He has a fairly insolent pose too!
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hansen on March 27, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Very nice. The exposure and detail are perfection. I often hesitate to shoot mallards, again, because they are so common and often tame and easy to shoot (mostly the park pond variety). I will rethink this. This is just gorgeous, in spite of the unnatural substrate.
Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments