Long-tailed Duck Drake

Gallery: AvianPosted March 21, 2010137 views11 comments

Olympus E-3, 300mm x 2.0TC, beanbag on truck window
f5.7, 1/250, ISO100

Denali Highway, June 2009. I'd have liked a lower angle, but if I had opened the door to the truck he would have left. The tail doesn't stand out against the water very well - with its reflection, it looks vaguely like a ripple - but I'm not sure what I could do about that.

Rotated 4 degrees CW to level; very slight crop from bottom, usual sharpening drill.

C & C, please.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 21, 2010 at 7:54 PM

Jim,

I love the rich blue of the water, the reflection, water droplets on the back and the nice view of the duck's eye. I knew right off that it was the tail of the duck and not a ripple. This looks like a challenging exposure, but I think you did well.

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but I wouldn't have used ISO 100 here, I would have used ISO 200 and you still would have had lovely details with a little more shutter speed.

I wonder what this would look like with a bit cropped off the bottom for a pano comp, I think that would blance out the duck's elongated form.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 21, 2010 at 8:02 PM

Jim, I'll likely never see one of these so I always enjoy seeing them posted. I think it's a fine shot and the tail wasn't an issue for me as soon as I went to the larger image. I especially appreciate the reflection and the water color. I too might experiment with Mia's suggestion of a pano crop.

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on March 21, 2010 at 8:14 PM

Jim:
Long-tailed ducks have been reported in this area this spring and I've made a couple of trips to try to see one, but haven't been successful yet. I would be overjoyed to get a shot of one. The deep blue water, the nice view of the markings of the bird in all but the darkest regions, and the reflection are all very positive compared to the minor points that concern you (angle, visibility of tail).

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 21, 2010 at 9:40 PM

Yes with the pano and yes with more iso to increase the shutter speed as suggested (the duck appears just a bit soft to me). I applaud you to even have made the opportunity to photograph one! Attractive bird in a beautiful watery environment.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 21, 2010 at 9:41 PM

Good exposure and beautiful reflection - aside from the desired lower angle I have no nits

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 21, 2010 at 10:17 PM

Really nice reflection shot here Jim.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 21, 2010 at 10:43 PM

I've not seen this species before but it looked right off like a long tail to me. In addition to your subject I like the linear gradient patterns in the water.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 21, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Very nice, Jim. I really like the way that you handled the exposure here. It does seem to me that it would be nice to see more duck in the frame. Mia's suggestion of a pano crop could do the trick.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 22, 2010 at 9:09 AM

great reflection and nice exposure and blue water. I've never seen the male of this species, so this is a treat. I'd also be interested in the pano crop.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 22, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Jim,
every time I open your thumbnail I wonder: "What (for me) neverseen bird I'll find in?"
Very nice duck you captured here. I especially like the reflection in the blue water.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 23, 2010 at 8:44 PM

Great exposure and reflection. I agree about a pano crop

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