Time to fly

Gallery: AvianPosted August 22, 2011201 views23 comments

I really like subtle beauty in nature and mottled ducks exhibit it well IMO. Little splashes of color amidst many brown tones. Super attractive to me. I really like this shot because this male just completed or is near to completing pre-alternate molt and he has fresh, great looking feathers all around. This bird just regained flight capabilities after almost of month of being grounded, thus, the title I chose. I also like the position of the bird, the lighting, and BG. As always thanks for looking. Please view the larger version for max details.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4
ISO 800
1/5000s
f/5.6
Manual exp.
Hand held
82% of full frame

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 22, 2011 at 7:38 PM

A first rate flight shot, as expected from your field work. I like every aspect of this.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 22, 2011 at 7:39 PM

Killer flight shot Ron

Nice detail and complementary background.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on August 22, 2011 at 7:43 PM

Very nice as usual Ron, I really like the background on the upper part of the image.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on August 22, 2011 at 7:53 PM

Crisp and clean like usual Ron. I think the smaller version suffers from compression and the larger is a must see!

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 22, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Great flight shot with a killer background!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Jude Haase on August 22, 2011 at 8:59 PM

Beautiful flight shot Ron!!

Registered on April 3, 2006, 236 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on August 22, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Great flight image. Very sharp and great color.

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

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on August 22, 2011 at 10:33 PM

Outstanding. What else is there to say.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on August 22, 2011 at 10:43 PM

Superb! One of my favorite ducks! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 22, 2011 at 11:39 PM

I love it, Ron--great light, great pose, your usual impeccable sharpness. Totally agree with you about the beauty of Mottled Ducks--when I saw my first ones this spring in FL, I was really impressed with the richness of their colors and patterns--the field guides do not do these birds justice.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 23, 2011 at 1:28 AM

Can't get much better than this Ron! I agree that the subtle hits of color against the understated main canvas is beautiful. I particularly like the color and super smooth background in this image.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on August 23, 2011 at 1:48 AM

Just excellent, Ron. Wonderful light and a first rate flight shot.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Goddard on August 23, 2011 at 2:38 AM

Very nice indeed Ron with great detail - I see you've cropped this one, but personally, I'd prefer a bit more space for the bird to fly into and above, but that's just my preference.....

Registered on November 21, 2008, 66 Posts, 253 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 23, 2011 at 7:25 AM

Flight shots just don't get much better than this Ron. Flight posture and light are excellent as is sharpness and the background is wonderful. A handsome bird presented extremely well. Your comp is just right for me.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 23, 2011 at 7:57 AM

This is outstanding Ron! I love subtle beauty in nature too and this mottled duck is a great example of that. Excellent techs!

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on August 23, 2011 at 9:03 AM

Outstanding, Ron. Interesting to see that you used such a high ss. Wonderful bg and colors.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 23, 2011 at 9:03 AM

Good title choice, especially after being "grounded" for a month.
Large view looks excellent Ron, it doesn't get much better than this

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on August 23, 2011 at 11:15 AM

Sharp and even a catch light in this outstanding flight shot -- I like that bit of blue coming right on the thirds line.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 23, 2011 at 2:05 PM

Way to go Ron, excellent feather detail on the larger version and a nice background colors, well done.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on August 23, 2011 at 6:45 PM

Tiny bit of space right would be good but it'll do for me !
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on August 23, 2011 at 9:36 PM

Ron, the beauty of this bird stands out so nicely asked the background. It's amazing all the feather details and patterns that can be seen in this beautiful image.