BBWD

Gallery: AvianPosted May 22, 2010215 views25 comments

For awhile it was ospreys, now it is black-bellied whistling ducks. Oh well, you take what you can when you can. That is my way of thinking. Any way, this image is far from perfect. I wish I could of had more DOF for the far wing tip and more SS as well, to get the far tip sharp, but the morning light would not allow for that. I like the nice look at all the different feather groups and the colors. I also like this angled look at the bird. It provides a nice view of all the different parts of the bird you don't normally see well with a more traditional " quartering at the camera" type angle. Personally, I am a bit tired of the norm and find this view refreshing. Thanks for looking, and please view the larger version as the details are much better. Cheers.

Canon 7D
500mm f/4
ISO 320
1/1250s
f/6.3
Manual exp.
HH
48% of FF

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 22, 2010 at 9:14 PM

I really like this dorsal view of the duck Ron and agree with your critique of your own image. Love those pink feet and nice job getting the birds head against the blue sky. You're right - the feather groups really shine here.

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

Comment posted by Tim Stenning on May 22, 2010 at 9:15 PM

I love it. Great shot. Looks like duck playing eagle. Beautiful feather display opposed to the ungainly, paddler feet. And the cool, red beak.

Registered on March 26, 2006, 99 Posts, 343 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 22, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Love the colors in the bird and the colors in the background as well. Like the position of the wings.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Jennifer Day on May 22, 2010 at 9:23 PM

I love this image. Last weekend I began practicing my birds in flight skills on some gulls at our local lake. It will be years before I will be able to get an image like this! Beautiful!!!

Registered on March 8, 2010, 5 Posts, 14 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 22, 2010 at 10:45 PM

First rate in every way. Very nice position to show off the wings.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on May 22, 2010 at 11:21 PM

Great flight shot, Ron. Beautiful colors and great detail. I love the pose you caught.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 22, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Ron,

I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit... it's close to being perfect, but even with its imperfections it's a stunning image. The outstretched wings/legs/feet/neck combined with the angle and the two-tone background make this really great.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 23, 2010 at 1:14 AM

Yourself-critique is too tough - I think this is a fine shot.
Love the dorsal view and the feather detail/colors.
Sandy r

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on May 23, 2010 at 1:38 AM

Beautifil wingspread and cool flight shot!
Personally I would have preferred it against green backdrop.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on May 23, 2010 at 5:26 AM

Nice work, the DOF you have is well placed with fG in good focus, the body is sharp and lighting looks good, wondering is you could have pumped the ISO a touch more for a tad more DOF.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 23, 2010 at 7:14 AM

Maybe it is just me. That I am getting more and more critical, maybe too critical, of image quality, but I just don't get the image quality out of the 7D that I want if I go above ISO 400 these days. I used to be happy with ISO 500 on this camera, but now I like the quality much better with ISO 320. I will try a higher ISO next time out to see if I am just being too critical. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 23, 2010 at 8:26 AM

Really like this Ron - particularly the wing spread and the detail it affords

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 23, 2010 at 8:42 AM

I too think you are a bit too tough on your own image, Ron. I can see the nits you mention but the many beautiful aspects of this image far outweigh them. I always find your comments about ISO very interesting.

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

Comment posted by Joe Paratore on May 23, 2010 at 8:44 AM

I like this shot alot Ron.
It is a different view and it is well done.
I love how it is banking....... like a jet coming in for a landing!
That the great thing about photograhy,
there are also new challenges when one gets bored or tired of the norm.

Registered on January 31, 2007, 40 Posts, 160 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on May 23, 2010 at 9:57 AM

You're too critical of yourself Ron! This is an excellent shot!

Joe

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on May 23, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Very good work as usual, Ron. I really love the colors of these beautiful birds. Posture of the bird is excellent, and I really like the splayed feet.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 23, 2010 at 2:40 PM

Ron,

The "imperfections" you mention do not detract, distract or prevent me from enjoying this image in the slightest way.

You have gorgeous light. You have a spectacular pose. You have fine details & sharpness. You have a lovely comp. You have a duck species that always looks like it is smiling and that makes me smile too.

I love this as posted.

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 23, 2010 at 5:05 PM

Ron:
I like and agree with your assessment of the image. For me, the most positive feature of those you and others listed is the "nice look at ... different feather groups". Usually, the groupings are not that apparent in BBWD photos. Excellent capture!

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

Comment posted by David Chauvin on May 23, 2010 at 5:31 PM

Cool shot, Ron. Part of the challenge of photography is breaking out of our routines and trying to show familiar subjects in a new way.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on May 23, 2010 at 6:46 PM

A beauty Ron. Fabulous colours !

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on May 23, 2010 at 9:51 PM

Ron love it as presented. I think you are getting too self critical in your old age

! But, I have to agree with you on trying to get that something different.

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 23, 2010 at 10:11 PM

Ron,
This is a stunner for me. Nits in your self critique noted but I have never seen a perfect image of anything. This comes close. I am too hard on my images as well. I think we tend to look for flaws if it's our own image and we tend to look for the good things when it's some one elses. I don't mind the wing tips being blurred at all. I even like the multi-layered background. This is a cool looking duck that I have never seen before and would love to be able to photograph someday. Love your Ospreys but this is a great new find. Love it, love it, love it.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on May 23, 2010 at 11:03 PM

Hi Ron,
Good job of catching this one on the wing with a top side view. Being tired of the norm is what pushes photographers to move on to greater challenges. But I think most photographers are just happy to get a bird in flight image. Technology has made getting images of birds in flight much easier than it was years ago. You just gotta love technology.

Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 24, 2010 at 12:03 PM

I like this as is, wonderful flight image with a wide variety of colors on this duck. You can not always hit a home run but a triple is a pretty good at bat and this is a pretty good shot as is. A pleasure to view, keep them coming.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on May 24, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Great flight shot. Love the orange beak.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments