One of the highlights of our owls and waterfowl trip to BC in February was a morning photographing wood ducks and green-winged teal with a fellow nature photographer who was so kind as to share one of his favourite stillwaters with us.
Just in case it gets missed below, it's important to me that you know this image has received a fair bit of cleanup in cloning out several bits of leaves and debris on the water. While the "all-natural" image was nice, I thought it was a shame the drake struck this pose in this light in probably the the worst section of the lake possible (five feet to his right and I wouldn't have needed to break out the clone tool at all!).
Anyway, I find this to be a very handsome drake, and I thanked him profusely for his little preening show he put on directly in front of my lens. He paused for a moment in the midst of his work to look up and I squeezed the shutter on this frame, which is probably my favourite of the sequence.
I don't get a lot of opportunity to photograph this species, at least not such a cooperative model, so I'm happy to have added this to my waterfowl folders.
I'm anxious to hear what my fellow NPN members think of this one, and what might be areas to consider for improvement, so comment/critique away (with my appreciation for you taking the time to do so).
LARGER version provided (click the image above).
Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED
ISO 250
1/250sec @ f/5
+0.3EV
Tripod mounted
Cropped to app. 85% of original
***NOTE: as per above, several leaves and sticks and other debris cloned from water surface to eliminate distractions
Comments
9 commentsThis needs no improvment for me, John - great detail in the bird and a lovely capture of the water ripples with their rings of pale blue and, of course, the reflection. Very nice indeed !!
No negatives from me John, I love it. The posture of the duck is great. I like that he is looking back across his body. I also like the way you've centered the duck in the frame.
Nice green-winged teal image. I like the pose with the eye contact and the light providing definition on the bill. Also like that the speculum is visible. Looks like nice soft lighting. Definitely a keeper.
I really like the way the light envelops the Drake, John. Your post production skills make this a print worthy image IMO.
Beautiful feather detail, John and your water clean-up looks perfect to my eye. Did you have any debris in the reflected image? I always hesitate about doing those areas for fear it will be too obvious, but I couldn't see a hint of repair in this image.
John,
No nits from me. I like the pose and colors, plus a wonderful reflection...............................Jim
John,
No sign of cloning to me, great job.
It looks slightly oversharpened on my monitor
John this can not be far from perfect,very nice indeed.
Keith.
A beautiful portrait of this handsome drake John. I love all the plumage details visible through out. Nadda on nits from me.
Looks Great!