Mandarin Duck

Gallery: AvianPosted March 6, 2012196 views10 comments

My first chance to capture images of a Mandarin Duck. We have been jumping from one local park to the next over the past year trying to get chance. We always heard that it had just left.
This fellow was moving in and out of lighted areas of the pond and either got sharp underexposed or soft good exposures. This is the closest I got to an image I want. I hope to run into him again.

7D with 500mm + 1.4 ext
Tripod
1/800 at f / 5.6
ISO 500
EV = 0

Comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 6, 2012 at 3:51 PM

It's tough when the light changes often - you did great here.
Really nice pose, wonderful colours, and a bit of reflection.
Could use a bit of CCR to level him.
Nice work!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on March 6, 2012 at 4:01 PM

Nice mandarin drake shoot. I know very well how diffucult to shoot the mandarin duck, This capture is sharp enough and water made good effect TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on March 6, 2012 at 4:17 PM

Beautiful Duck. Light looks a bit harsh. Agree on the rotation.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 6, 2012 at 6:07 PM

Very beautiful duck. This looks nice and sharp to me. The less than optimal light direction is the only problem I can see but not much you could do about that. I agree it could use some rotation.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 7, 2012 at 1:38 AM

Harry,
Great shot. This Mandarin looks familiar. Of all the hundreds of shots you, Eric and I took, you were the only one to get catch light in its eye. This is a terrific image on a day when he continued to swim mostly in the shadows.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 7, 2012 at 1:36 PM

Amazing looking bird. I am pleased that you had a chance to capture it so delightfully.
May

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 7, 2012 at 9:32 PM

What a beautiful duck. I like the colors you have caught here. May need a touch of CCW rotation. Keep on the chase..

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 7, 2012 at 10:12 PM

Harry,
This is sweet. Nits about the light already noted but sweet catch light in the eye. These guys are always in the shade. It seems they love to mock photographers. Look forward to shooting with you this weekend if you are going to make it with Sandy, Eric, Patrick, Charlie and a friend of Sandy's. Hope so.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 8, 2012 at 11:56 AM

What a glorious creature to photograph. Lucky you. Great colors . I wish for a slightly better HA and i think it would improve the shot if you could lighten the rear end shadow. I almost thought the body ended there on first glance. Very nice.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 8, 2012 at 2:02 PM

Amazing display of colors and what a challenge to photograph. I just saw my first wood duck so I can now relate to how difficult it is to get a really good shot of these colorful ducks. Nice job in getting this.

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