Swift Exit w/Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted February 1, 2013157 views14 comments

After several days of heavy rain a break in the clouds gave an excuse to visit the local refuge. I think the birds were just as happy to get out from under cover as a nice variety made an appearance. On the refuge auto tour I spotted this Bufflehead drake swimming down a slough and in my direction, giving a few moments to find a clear shot between grasses. For those of you that shoot buffleheads, you know how wary they are and for the minute I had it was clear that his objective was to get away as quickly as possible.

Larger version available, "Thanks for stopping!"

canon 7D
canon 600mm F4.L IS USM plus 1.4TC
F/9.5 1/1000 ISO 800
auto beanbag window rest, processed LR3 & NIK software

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on February 1, 2013 at 2:19 PM

Nice colors around the eye -- we have 15-20 buffleheads in the Gulf here in Florida (40 miles north of Tampa) but I haven't seen any drakes, so nice to see this image. Refelction looks really good.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 1, 2013 at 4:27 PM

Indeed, this is a difficult species - small and hard to get within camera range. Then there's the exposure dilemma as well. I would be happy to have a shot of one this nice.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 1, 2013 at 4:52 PM

Great species, but oh so hard to frame - not only because of their shyness , but also because of the blacks and whites.. I especially like the reflection here ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 1, 2013 at 5:28 PM

As pretty a Buffie shot as I've seen in a while, Craig. If you could tease a little more detail out of the whites and blacks it would be even better.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 1, 2013 at 6:41 PM

Superb job on the exposure, Craig. The lovely reflections and silky water texture make an excellent bg.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Holly Morris on February 1, 2013 at 9:48 PM

Don't think we have any duffleheads around here, maybe in the Bay but maybe not. Not too sure of them at the moment...except that they are more than likely water foul. Anyway...great shot - for a bird that is appaerantly so shy! The reflections really nice
HollyMorris

Registered on October 9, 2012, 66 Posts, 112 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 2, 2013 at 10:17 AM

Great job getting this small drake out in the open, no easy task.
Well done Craig

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 2, 2013 at 10:50 AM

Lovely reflection shot Craig, nice job getting the full reflection in

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 2, 2013 at 1:45 PM

Excellent catch of this elusive duck!
Great detail and reflection.
Maybe just me, but I'm seeing a bit of a dark halo around the front of the reflected head..
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on February 2, 2013 at 1:59 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments.
The REPOST hopefully addresses the suggestion from Jim DeWitt to tease a bit more definition out of the white feathers and Thanks Sandy Richards for pointing out the halo in front of the head of the reflected bird.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 2, 2013 at 7:18 PM

From excellent to exceptional!
Fine work!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 2, 2013 at 11:30 PM

Maybe it's just me Craig, but I like the original better. In the second post, the whites are getting that grayish tint when they have been over-worked a tiny bit. I think the whites look just fine in the first image (at least on my monitor). This is a super tough species to expose anyhow. But I think you managed it well.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 3, 2013 at 10:23 AM

gosh, this is nice, Craig. I'm on an uncalibrated monitor right now, but I really like the repost--much better color coming out on the head. sweet reflection and nice comp. nice work.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on February 4, 2013 at 1:40 PM

Beautiful image, love the reflection and the color of the water. The repost is even better.
May

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