Mallard Drake

Gallery: AvianPosted December 6, 2010239 views17 comments

Here's a photo from my trip early last spring to the Klammath Basin. It had just started snowing when I came across this drake. By watching his body language I knew he would take flight soon. With my camera set in manual mode, I quickly took a spot meter light reading adjusted my shutter speed and the duck took flight. I managed two fairly sharp images out of eight.

Canon 40D, 600mm, f5.6 @1/1000, ISO 640, cropped 20% off the right side and top.

I very much appreciate all your comments and suggestion.

Ken

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 6, 2010 at 7:40 AM

Really nice Ken. Very different. Love the snow and the duck is nice and sharp with a good flight position. Wish this one was mine. well done.

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

Comment posted by Bill Maile on December 6, 2010 at 8:28 AM

My kind of photo Ken, love it!! Very well done.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on December 6, 2010 at 8:44 AM

Great wing spread n beautiful frame !
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 6, 2010 at 9:15 AM

I like the spread wings and falling snow with a clear look at the eye.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 6, 2010 at 10:48 AM

A very pleasing image - really has a nice mood to it from the falling snow.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 6, 2010 at 2:04 PM

Ken,
a really nice comp. I like everything of it.

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

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on December 6, 2010 at 2:33 PM

Great camera work

The snowflakes look great, makes the shot that little bit different.
Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 6, 2010 at 8:25 PM

I like this a lot Ken. The snowflakes add heaps of mood and you caught a very nice pose in trying conditions. Just another example where snow (or fog) - even though they inhibit detail, can have a great effect on the mood and enhance the image.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on December 6, 2010 at 8:31 PM

The snow really creates an interesting mood here. Great flight pose and love those red feet tucked in.

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on December 7, 2010 at 9:20 AM

Really nice shot.Wonderfull as posted!!!

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 7, 2010 at 12:01 PM

I love the mood Ken, nice wing spread and eye contact too.

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

Comment posted by Karen Summers on December 8, 2010 at 6:55 AM

lovely snowy image

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on December 8, 2010 at 2:47 PM

Charming image .
Congrats .
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on December 8, 2010 at 3:17 PM

What a fun shot Ken. In this shot the snow looks good. Not so great out my window.
May

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

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on December 8, 2010 at 5:09 PM

Good thing this was one of the two. Nice anticipation.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 8, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Grreat shot Ken, love the pose/wing position of the bird and the snow adds a real extra to an already wonderful shot

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 22, 2010 at 6:25 AM

Very cool image Ken, the heavy snow falling through your frame make this one great!
Well composed, nice pose and POV here

Merry Christmas!

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