Duck behavior

Gallery: AvianPosted December 16, 201086 views6 comments

Sunday, I went to San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctary in Irvine, Ca with a late start. Rain in the morning but was suppose to clear a bit. It turned out to be a fun outing. I set up in one of my favorite spots and watched some six graders on little tours through the Sanctuary. They were fun to watch. Well they caused the ducks to come to my end of the pond. Usually the ducks stay far off. I got some great shots of some of them. I noticed a Stilt in deep water near all the ducks. I like the pose. I think he felt he was a duck. The sun was harsh. Crop is 70% of original.

Comments are appreciated.

12-16-10 11:45 a.m.
Canon 7D
300 2.8L w/ 2.0ext
600mm
Exp Comp -1
f/6.3
1/4000
ISO 500

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 16, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Nice image. I like the pose, the concentric rings in the water and the comp you have chosen. The larger image appears a bit soft.

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on December 16, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Nice shot Harry, it's a pleasing composition, but as Angela said, it could be a little sharper.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 17, 2010 at 9:52 AM

I love seeing one of these guys swim. That alone makes this a great image for me.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 17, 2010 at 8:20 PM

Tough light, especially for a black and white bird Harry but the ripples are interesting and you got the color in the eye which often isn't easy. I love to see them swimming too.

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on December 17, 2010 at 8:51 PM

Looks like he's having fun, Harry; I smiled when I looked at this!

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 18, 2010 at 8:31 AM

Harry,

I always like seeing Black-necked Stilts in the water like this. Love the blues of the water, the concentric ripples, the water on the tip of the bill and that you were able to capture the red in the eye of this species, that is not always easy to do. The stilt does appear somewhat soft, some selective sharpening there might help. The black appear a bit blocked up probably due to the contrasty light, I'd suggest shooting earlier or later in the day to help with that.

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