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Incoming Wood Duck
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Incoming Wood Duck

by David Haynes

Gallery: AvianPosted March 8, 2014533 views13 comments
Nikon D4
1/3200
ISO 640
F/7.1
600mm + 1.4 TC
White Balance auto
Manual
Metering center weighted avg (Metered off of floating ducks)
Tripod w/Wimberly Head
Cropped 51%

Not much of a story to tell for this image. Shot in San Diego where there are lots of wood ducks. There were several wood ducks congregating near an oak tree on the edge of the lake. They love acorns and launch themselves out of the water to go up into the tree to feed. There is a narrow corridor that they have to come through when they come to this tree to feed so my best friend and I set up on this corridor for either in coming flight shots or launching and leaving flight shots. The lighting for incoming shots is not ideal but the morning is the only time you can get them coming in so it is what it is. :biggrin:
Anyway, I was fortunate to get a series of shots on this landing and I think this might be the best one. Hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by for a look.

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 8, 2014 at 10:43 PM
Sweet shot. A very different angle. :toast:
Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 8, 2014 at 11:10 PM
Amazing capture. I am so impressed with this because Wood ducts are so fast. Great look at both the eyes and the colors are great. My only nit is the shadow cast by the bill. not a deal breaker by any means. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 9, 2014 at 8:31 AM
Really nice shot David, they always fly away from me :biggrin:
Techs look great. Looks like the light may have been a bit harsh, but you handled it great. I like the angle and wing position. Very nice!
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Bob McQuade on March 9, 2014 at 8:51 AM
Really neat....and I can't even get a good one of them sitting still!
Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on March 9, 2014 at 8:54 AM
Hello David

Well done and good stop action . the focus is excellent . Not sure what is causing the blue rim on lower wings , shows up more?

Bill
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Marina Scarr on March 9, 2014 at 10:35 AM
Killer head-on flight pose! Nice seeing the wing tips curved and the tail feathers spread.
Registered on March 6, 2014, 11 Posts, 104 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 9, 2014 at 12:23 PM
Very nice position; nice detail and exposure.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 9, 2014 at 1:54 PM
Wow, love this landing pose. Love the background with that hint of blue at the bottom. The colours on the head are just wild. Congrats David, well done. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 9, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Great action David, he's got every out for this landing. I just love seeing avian aerodynamics illustrated so well. :toast:
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 9, 2014 at 11:22 PM
Extraordinary :toast:
Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 13, 2014 at 6:55 AM
You're on a roll David - fantastic shot
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Greg Oakley on March 13, 2014 at 6:50 PM
Great incoming shot David!
Registered on June 12, 2012, 115 Posts, 266 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 13, 2014 at 8:15 PM
Another cracking flight shot David, great head on pose, you are on a roll. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments