Mallard Drake

Gallery: AvianPosted March 15, 20152,036 views11 comments

I don't often spend much time photographing Mallards, but this one flew by very close while spending some time today at a GB Heron nest, so I decided to take advantage of the situation.

5D MIII
500mm f/4
1.4 TC
1/5000 at f/8
ISO 640

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on March 15, 2015 at 10:48 PM

Very nice flight shot including that catchlight. I am always playing with shutter speed for flight shots - this at 1/5000 and holding the f8 for DOF and keeping a low ISO -- is a lesson on getting terrific flight shots -- very nice

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on March 16, 2015 at 4:54 AM

Really nice, Kurt! I think mallards are a wildly undervalued species. They are a remarkably beautiful bird IMO and were it not for them being so common I wonder if we wouldn't place a higher priority on them. Rant over.

I just returned from a trip to the west coast (British Columbia) with Jenaya and Josiah photographing owls and waterfowl, and one of my personal favourite images (and experiences) was a simple portrait of a mallard drake.

All that aside, you've got great techs here and a solid image suitable for documentary/ID purposes and teaching purposes in terms of composition and BIF technique. On my new monitor it seems just a touch dark, but I'm not positive I have this dialed in yet.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 16, 2015 at 8:09 AM

I agree with John, the Mallard Drake is certainly underrated. I know I sometimes ignore them for other species such as Buffleheads and Ring necks. Great capture here. I love the wing position as it shows off the blue patch very well. Just beautiful.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 16, 2015 at 9:24 AM

Well done, flying fowl is not always that easy... You did a nice job in showing this common species at it's best. Great techs on top. Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 16, 2015 at 9:30 AM

As good as it gets. Solid lighting, perfect position.

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on March 16, 2015 at 3:55 PM

Great shot of a great duck. Nice wing position, colors and comp. Mallard looks very sharp, well done!

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on March 16, 2015 at 7:30 PM

Mallards are always a pleasure to see and great to catch in such a nice flight shot. Well done.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 16, 2015 at 9:57 PM

Kurt,
John Launstein said it all. He did not leave a morsel for us mortals. Great shot.

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

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on March 17, 2015 at 2:13 PM

Nice BIF of my favorite duck...