RND

Gallery: AvianPosted February 8, 2011108 views21 comments

Here is a ring-necked duck on the water to go with the one in flight from my last post. This bird was very cooperative, which is a bit unusual for this species. Being in camo and hiding in the reeds probably helped too. I like the light, detail, and pose.

I made two different comps when I processed this image. This one has less room in front than the one I chose not to post. I chose this comp to post because to me this image is about detail and the bird is bigger in the frame in this shot. Please veiw the larger image for max detail. Thanks.

Just for clarification, this bird was preening and is rolled over on its back a bit, thus showing its one leg and foot.

I did check this for levelness and it is level based on elements on the bird and in the reflection. Cheers.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 +1.4x TC
ISO 800
f/9
1/1250s
Manual exp.
Hand held
81% of FF
No NR

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on February 8, 2011 at 4:07 PM

Great detail and sharpness in the image, Ron. One beautiful picture.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on February 8, 2011 at 5:09 PM

Hello there. Excellent image. Tack sharp and amazing detail. Love the lighting on the ducks face. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 8, 2011 at 5:21 PM

They are quite skittish up here, too. Your camo certainly helped get this excellent image.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 8, 2011 at 5:22 PM

Nice head-turn, excellent detail.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on February 8, 2011 at 5:24 PM

A super job with this capture Ron. The larger view is really exceptional with the sharpness showing off great detail in the eye, bill, leg scales and feather side-pocket vermiculation lines. Congrats, very well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 8, 2011 at 5:54 PM

Nice detail indeed, especially in the larger version. Nice exposure as well (I always worry when shooting this "B&W" species).

Interesting that you find this a difficult species in Florida as here in AZ they quickly adjust to people in all the parks when they visit in winter and even adopt the handout ways of the local Mallards.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 8, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Rich, I guess I am going to have to look harder for those places here in FL. Where I shoot a lot and shot this image there are a lot of cars and people and these bird turn and swim away fast when anybody approaches them. You really do have to be patient to get them close where I shoot.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 8, 2011 at 7:29 PM

I'll make it unanimous, great detail Ron ! I also find the light on the face very appealing and the the bill and eye look great. It took me a little bit to notice the raised leg and foot which makes it a little more unique. My only suggestion would be to clone out the strip of dark reflected water above it's head and on the urh side as it cought my eye immediately on the thumbnail image and it does draw my eyes away from the bird, so I guess to me it's just a distraction and dosen't add anything to the image. No criticism intended, just a little surprised you left it.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 8, 2011 at 7:37 PM

Gary, thanks for the comment. Always looking for as much feedback as I can get. The colored lines in the water are reflected bulrush stems. I left the water as shot because I just don't clone much except dust spots and the like. Just call me a purist, and maybe stupid, but that is my style. Thanks again and cheers.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM

Ron, right after I posted that comment I got to thinking, whats distracting to some people isn't to others so it's one of those personal things I think.
Cheers back to ya!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 8, 2011 at 9:49 PM

great looking RNDU, Ron, love the details and light on the bird, as well as the raised foot and the almost belligerent look of the bird. I don't have any objection at all to the reflections. It does feel to me like this could use a little CCW rotation--looking at the circle of ripples around the bird they seem higher on the left--not sure, but it feels that way to my eye.

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

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on February 8, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Great looking shot of this handsome species. That leg was throwing me off at first, as it appeared he was unusually low in the water. That actually adds an interesting element IMO. Definitely an excellent, sharp and well-exposed image.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 8, 2011 at 10:39 PM

Hi Ron

The larger photo shows marvelous detail and sharpness

love the head turn.

Nothing to do with this excellent post, but i thought ducks never scowled

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 8, 2011 at 10:55 PM

Great detail Ron. An interesting pose, looks like he is in preening mode perhaps. Love the eye against the glistening dark, wet head.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2011 at 11:31 PM

And amazing detail it is-especially in the blacks. Always a struggle-the close crop for detail or a little more relaxed. I'm glad you chose the detail.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 9, 2011 at 2:05 AM

Nice low angle and detail Ron.
I think it's a bit suspicious.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on February 9, 2011 at 8:00 AM

Ron, the detail couldn't be better. That face and back light is fabulous, an all round great image. But I can't help wanting a little more space on the left. Just feels needed, sort of out of balance.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 9, 2011 at 10:26 AM

This is a beauty Ron and I would not change a thing. Wonderful exposure on a challenging species, plenty of fine details and sharpness. Great look at the eye and the raised foot adds interest. Ring-necked Ducks are hard to approach here too.

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

Comment posted by Eric Diller on February 10, 2011 at 7:31 PM

Patience paid off.....very nice Ron!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM

I really like this Ron. The detail is excellent and I enjoy the almost preening pose. I think you made the right decision regarding comp - for me this image is mostly about the detail and pose and more water wouldn't add much. Ours are skittish too, when we can find them. The only time I've been close to one was when it was confined to a small area of water surrounded by ice and apparently felt it had no choice but to allow my close approach.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 11, 2011 at 3:36 PM

Excellent shot Ron, I have yet to get a good image of these, wonderful detail on the larger version and I like the slight head turn so we can see that colorful beak, well done.

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