Oldsquaw Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted February 15, 20161,305 views7 comments

I prefer the old name for this duck - Oldsquaw - though the new name (Long-tailed) is certainly descriptive. After my previous post, I revisited the spot hoping to get some more shots and was not disappointed. It was late afternoon with nice, direct (albeit a touch strong) lighting and ice had formed overnight hemming the bird into a confined space. The only negative (again) was that I had to hang over a bulkhead to get the best angle - really wish I could get a eye level angle but short of risking hypothermia and jumping in a boat that won't be happening. Regardless, I'm thankful for a chance to get so close (literally a couple feet at some moments) to this beautiful bird

Nikon D7100 80-400mm VR HH
f/8
1/1000s
ISO 320
-.1 EC

Full Frame, minor adjustments

- Luke

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on February 15, 2016 at 5:42 PM

Hi Luke,

Very nice close-up and am glad you did not go for a dip while photographing the long-tailed duck. The early morning light was fairly strong with some hot spots present on the plumage, but you were able to keep some of the details in those areas. An off center crop by taking space from the left may also work for the comp. Overall--well done as this is one of the best looks I've had of this species devil

............................................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 15, 2016 at 6:25 PM

Incredible light and detail, Luke. The angle doesn't detract that much.

devil

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 16, 2016 at 10:41 AM

That is one sweet shot, Luke. Wonderful light and unbelievably close. Excellent.

I don't know if you've ever had a chance to hear a large raft of this species, but they gabble among themselves constantly, and it does sound like a crowd of old women. I've always thought the old name was incredibly apt, but, alas, we live in politically correct tome. I suppose the American Coot will be renamed next.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 16, 2016 at 12:08 PM

Jim - funny you say that. This morning I had a nice chat with a big birder friend of mine who is very knowledgeable and he was recanting the story of how a flock sounds like a group of women gabbing. The species doesn't flock up off the coast of New York, but he had seen them around Niagra Falls in a big group. He stated that the name change wasn't due to political correctness but that the bird was originally named the long-tailed duck when it was first described and that the name was lost to time, being replaced by Oldsquaw. Someone eventually researched the history of the name and it was reverted back.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 16, 2016 at 12:35 PM

Hello Luke, these birds are beautiful, also in winter plumage. Nice light and good on the techs. A slightly lower POV would have made it perhaps even stronger, but it's already great as presented ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on February 16, 2016 at 3:38 PM

Nice detail and light. The steeper angle works here IMO.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 18, 2016 at 8:55 PM

Super lighting and great eye contact here Luke. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments