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Mallard Quarrel
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Mallard Quarrel

by Angela McCain

Gallery: AvianPosted January 31, 2012550 views10 comments
Aurora, Colorado. December, 2011

D3 ISO 640. 70-200/2.8 with 2x tc @400mm. f5.6 1/2000s +0.3ev. Handheld at frozen lake's edge. Natural light.

These 2 males seemed to be fighting over the female. I have a multi-image sequence of the quarrel with the female causally looking on and staying just out of reach of the fracas. I like the look on the face of the pinned bird.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on February 1, 2012 at 1:56 AM
Interesting interaction Angela, and I think the expression on the duck you mention gives the dynamic element to the image. I'd curious to see other images... I think - ducks can be brutal when courting/mating from my observations. ;-)
Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 1, 2012 at 7:56 AM
Very interesting shot Angela. The open bill on the one bird makes the shot for me. All the birds are sharp enough and you got a nice exposure.

Many times when mallards are in a less than natural situation where there are a lot of ducks, courtship and mating can get way out of hand. I have actually seen females killed from too many males trying to mate with her on the water. They actually drown the female.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Dottie Short on February 1, 2012 at 9:55 AM
Love the action of this shot. It looks as if the female is giving the pinned male a kick. I agree that the pleading Mallard on the bottom make the image. Nice catch Angela.
Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments
Comment posted by David Bostedo on February 1, 2012 at 11:29 PM
Ducks on ice! Always a neat site to watch and you got some neat action here. If the female was a bit separated I think this would be a lot stronger. I also think this could use a bit more sharpening. The open bill is great.
Registered on May 5, 2006, 178 Posts, 2224 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on February 2, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Great actions shot.
Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments
Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 3, 2012 at 5:34 AM
Great interaction and nice colors against the ice.

Ray
Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 3, 2012 at 9:00 PM
My first thought was that they were slipping on a frozen pond and the other two were helping the mallard up. LOL My head ... It looks as though you used some NR and the birds got a little soft? They seem to lack your usual clarity.
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Deibert on February 4, 2012 at 5:16 AM
Great candid shot! I love nature in action like this...looks like the male and female are ganging up on the male. On the ice is a nice touch too. Great job! :toast:
Registered on September 30, 2011, 48 Posts, 125 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 6, 2012 at 6:08 PM
Hi Angela :wavey: You captured the intensity of the scene very well. the expressions are fascinating :eek: :smile:
Albert Darmo
Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy Aron on March 5, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Excellent capture. I once witnessed about 5 male mallards pinning down a female in a pond. Disturbing, but....



lucy
Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments