All Decked Out, Ridgefield Refuge Info

Always like seeing shots of Wood Ducks, especially those this well taken. Nice sharp shot, well lit. I like the green water framing the duck. I keep hearing about Ridgefield and I'll have to get up there one day-only a couple of hours away.

Beautiful image of this wood duck Craig. The large image is very sharp especially at 1/90 sec. I like the green bg. Good job.

Good work on this notoriously difficult species. Detail in the whites and black; never easy. The green color in the water puts it over the top. Excellent, Craig.

Nice, Craig. Any chance of bringing out some detail in the shadows? I know we had some awfully harsh light last week.

Nice to have gotten the details on the beak, it usually blows out. BG is super also.

Good job on getting this handsome fellow Craig. I like the green rippled water and the colors in the bird. I agree a little more detail in the shadows would be nice.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I too was hoping to pull more detail from the heavy shadows but only had very limited success on the shaded side of the head. I felt anymore lightening up the shadows was going to result in losing contrast in the rest of the image. I have lots of well defined wood ducks and this presented a different look.
For Allen Brooks and anyone else planning to visit the Ridgefield refuge, I visit it often and volunteer as well. If your planning a visit NOW is one of the best times to come. In approximately another month or two the Refuge ponds and sloughs begin to lose water (water is pumped in from the Columbia River to maintain good levels, but becomes difficult once the rivers levels winter melt drops.) Another problem is the wild grasses grow very tall along the auto tour routes road and will obstruct viewing over and down into sloughs unless you have a higher vehicle like a SUV or truck. Currently the refuge's "Kiwa" trail is open (May-Sept) and offers an opportunity to park and walk the 2+ mile loop trail. Visitors can also exit vehicles but must remain on the roadway. I find the birds are fairly used to seeing cars and is best for photo shooting, once they see doors opening and people getting out of cars you may only have a few moments to shoot an alert, non-relaxed bird. Best time of day is early when they are about and feeding.... the gate at the Main River "S" unit opens automatically at 6AM and closes currently at 8PM, which may be adjusted to 8:30-9PM soon per refuge officials. Their also is another large part of the refuge "The Carty Unit" which is a bit north of Ridgefield. No auto tour roads, park ...take the bridge over the RR tracks and hike the trails. For additional information go to http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/index.html
Happy Shooting! Craig

I like this one Craig. There seems to be nice detail where it counts. That brilliant green water is awesome.

Sweet Portrait!

Ken Archer