Wood Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted February 21, 2010332 views22 comments

Aix sponsa

This is one from back in November. I liked the water color and the nice detail in the dark colors on this one. The whites may be ever so hot, but I cannot do much more with them.

If possible, please view the larger post for detail.

50D, 500f4L IS +1.4 tc
1/320, f5.6, ISO 200
Partial Metering -1/3

All comments and critique welcome.
Thank You.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on February 21, 2010 at 11:08 AM

Great light and reflection, the colors in the water complement the woodie. Was this shot at Forest Park?

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on February 21, 2010 at 11:15 AM

I just visited your website and saw your photo. I think I saw you shooting the swans at West Alton a couple weeks ago.

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on February 21, 2010 at 11:22 AM

Thanks for the comments Rich and Mark.

Mark, yes this was shot in Forest Park. In one of the lakes along lagoon drive in the grand basin area. That was probably me you saw shooting the trumpeter swans. I spend a lot of time up in that area. If the sun would ever come out again I cannot wait to get up there.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 21, 2010 at 11:55 AM

Lovely water colors and beautiful detail on this Woodie Matt, the rest of your exposure looks perfect so I wouldn't worry that the whites are a little bright.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 21, 2010 at 1:29 PM

Fine portrait of a beautiful bird, Matt. That watery BG is to die for!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 21, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Colors, exposure and reflection are all great!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on February 21, 2010 at 2:22 PM

Woodies make beautiful photos, but what I like especially about your photo are the patterns and colors in the slightly wavy water and the resulting wavy reflection. Very nice!

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 21, 2010 at 2:29 PM

Matt

This species is quite challenging to expose and I think you did well, love the colors & sheen in the feathers, comp, relfection and the great tones in the water itself!

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 21, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Matt, this is super nice. I wish I had a woodie this good in my files. I love the water, the light, the colors, and the sharpness. Well done.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 21, 2010 at 3:02 PM

Great water and reflection!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 21, 2010 at 4:27 PM

Absolutely spot on!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on February 21, 2010 at 4:51 PM

Beautiful in every way to me. Excellent!

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 21, 2010 at 7:46 PM

Matt, the bird is exposed about as well as it usually can be IMO. The water colors and patterns are superb. I like this a lot.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 21, 2010 at 8:16 PM

Great Shot!

I would walk 10 miles to get a chance to photograph one of these.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 21, 2010 at 9:26 PM

I would be a happy guy to be the photographer behind this image, well done. Shows the incredible colors on this species perfectly.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on February 21, 2010 at 10:27 PM

Sweet....

Registered on March 15, 2005, 114 Posts, 2639 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 22, 2010 at 6:09 AM

Lovely combination of colours Matt. Particularly like the green ridges on the water.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 22, 2010 at 6:32 PM

I think the whites add dramatic effect and the colors are amazing as is the reflection

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 23, 2010 at 7:44 AM

Outstanding colors Matt, I especially like the gold tones and patterns I see..They compliment the bird well.
LP looks great, it's a beautiful bird

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 23, 2010 at 11:48 AM

A lovely exposure of a famously difficult species to photograph. The water color is lovely, too. Very nice, Matt.

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

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on February 24, 2010 at 6:17 AM

Beautiful shot, Matt. Love the colors here. Nice detail in the bird as well.

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on February 26, 2010 at 4:39 PM

Ditto Nate's comments. A tough subject - to find (for me), and to photography.

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