Ring-necked Duck, repost

Gallery: AvianPosted February 11, 201059 views12 comments

This little female Ring-necked Duck was on a pond in Tucson this week. The ring on the neck is usually not obvious but the ring on the bill usually is. Maybe we should change the name to Ring-billed Duck?

Everyone likes to shoot photos of the jaunty male but I thought she was quite pretty in her own right. The Ring-necked Duck is a small diving duck but is often found on smaller ponds like this one.

Thanks for looking and for your comments and suggestions.

Canon 50D, 300mm F/4 IS w/1.4 handheld, 1/500 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 11, 2010 at 3:03 PM

Really nice lighting and detail on this female Ring-billed Duck Hans

A bit more of a headturn would have been nice.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 11, 2010 at 6:47 PM

Nice ringer Hans. I like the light and the water. Nice sharpness and detail.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 11, 2010 at 7:43 PM

The females are quite beautiful Hans. I completely agree with your choice. Your techs look really good and the water and lighting really come together to give a pleasing effect. For my taste the crop's a little too tight, especially as her tail is cut off.

BTW I agree about the name change: where do I sign the petition?

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 11, 2010 at 8:14 PM

Hans,

She sure is lovely and so is the water she is floating on. Love the light and the great view of her bill and eye. A little more room would be nice, but I also find this appealing as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on February 11, 2010 at 8:16 PM

Hans:
Very nice! Your image really captures the beauty of the female. I like the texture and colors of the water too.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 11, 2010 at 8:21 PM

Beautiful Hans, love the water

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 11, 2010 at 8:26 PM

Excellent job, Hans! If you do have a bit more room all-around, I think that would help.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 11, 2010 at 8:45 PM

Very nice - particularly the water in the BG of this. I photographed some Ring-Necked ducks this afternoon but there were no females around. It's a little tight on the end but otherwise this is really special.

As for photographing duck hens, I agree that they are beautiful and overlooked, however I find a majority of them to be very similar in plumage across species which detracts a bit for me.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 11, 2010 at 9:21 PM

I really enjoy the coloration of this female and the water provides a very pleasing canvas. I like this a lot.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on February 11, 2010 at 11:27 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions. There wasn't much more room but now this is just about full frame and I did include the feet on the left and gave her just a bit more room (the tail was always there but the feet underwater weren't). Also, while I was at it, I decided to darken it a bit to bring out more detail. Is this too dark or is it an improvement?

Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 12, 2010 at 2:16 AM

The repost works better IMO Hans because of the crop. Being slightly darker doesn't make very much difference to my eye.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 12, 2010 at 11:20 AM

Excellent shot Hans, I happen to like the repost just slightly better, good detail and the water patterns really add to the shot, well done.

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