Mallard Drake

Gallery: AvianPosted December 1, 201083 views10 comments

Just a shot of a common mallard Drake on a snowy morning off the Whitefish River in Kalispell Montana. In light of the dreary weather he looked pretty happy.

D300
300mm f/2.8
1/500@f5.6
ISO 500
TC-14E II
1/3EV
Matrix
74%FF

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 1, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Fun image, Chuck. He does look happy, and I like the mood of this image.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 2, 2010 at 6:41 AM

Chuck,

I think in light of the dreary weather you did a very nice job on the exposure.Love the open bill, the nice details despite the light and the eye contact. I especially like the snow on the back, bill, chest and head. Makes me feel like I am out in the cold with you!

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 2, 2010 at 9:59 AM

Chuck,
I agree with Dennis, he seems happy. Very nice snowy image. Well done!

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on December 2, 2010 at 10:28 AM

Nicely done Chuck! The falling snow, snow on his head, and the catch of the open-beaked "quack" all give the shot a nice feel.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 2, 2010 at 3:12 PM

I really like this image. No nits at all. Mallards are very pretty birds, but they are so common that we do not pay much attention to them.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on December 2, 2010 at 4:49 PM

He looks a lot happier than I would in that cold. I like the pose and snow on its head.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 3, 2010 at 6:46 AM

Love the snow falling through the frame and the light dusting at the head..
Great job on the exposure, like that parted beak too

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 4, 2010 at 11:16 AM

"Happy" is certainly the defining feature of this image for me Chuck. Dumb duck, how can you be happy when you're cold and wet and it's snowing...

I like this a lot for the mood, the open bill, the setting and there's even light in the eye in these conditions. Fun shot!

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on December 5, 2010 at 2:17 AM

Happy, Happy. Excellent exposure given the seemingly overcast lighting. Nicely captured, Chuck.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 6, 2010 at 11:02 PM

Like his smiling pose with the heavy snow. Snow on the head is an added bonus. You might try pushing up the blacks just a little in post processing. I think it might give it a little richer feel--but not too much, you don't want to melt the snow.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments