Wood Duck Strut

Gallery: AvianPosted February 24, 2014134 views6 comments

I was out at the local duck pond trying my best to isolate the Wood Ducks from the rest of the pack. When I processed the images, this one with an American Widgeon in the background caught my eye. For me, the pale, almost painterly feel of the Widgeon really sets off the Wood Duck. I'll be the first the say that it isn't as sharp as I would like. He started some vigorous shaking as I snapped the image. The shutter speed was in anticipation of a stationary subject.

Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D
Canon 200-400 F4 L IS
f11
1/640s
ISO 640
Focal Length 526mm

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on February 24, 2014 at 1:35 AM

You touched on the one key issue. I like the comp and the way the woody and widgeon contrast with one another. It looks like he may have come into a shadow area while the widgeon was still out in open sun.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 24, 2014 at 4:14 AM

A touch of motion blur, but it kind of fits with the Widgeon in the bg, Jerry. I like it.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on February 24, 2014 at 1:42 PM

It is love boat time for the Woddies.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 24, 2014 at 4:46 PM

A nice wood duck pose and good job handling the color contrast but like you mentioned it is not as sharp as it could be. My only suggestion would be that next time you might try a wider aperture (f5.6) to get the shutter speed up.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 25, 2014 at 3:44 AM

Jerry,
This does remind one of a pastel painting with the soft light and blurred out background with widgeon. The color pallet is just right for this type of shot. Love the pose and the head and neck feathers. Only nit pick is that it is slightly soft.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 1, 2014 at 9:10 PM

Great capture Jerry,
All the elements together makes this image special and the slight motion blur gives a fine art painting feel to the over all composition, I like it !
Well done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments