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Finally!
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Finally!

by Kurt Bowman

Gallery: AvianPosted January 3, 20161,775 views9 comments
In my area, we get very few Canvasbacks each winter. The last 5 years, it has been one pair each year and they are ALWAYS floating out in the center of the lake and usually sleeping (they don't seem to be very active). Each year, I have been waiting and hoping they might....just might fly near me so I can get a flight image of one. Nope, never...never until a few days ago. I had just made my way onto the ice, set up got comfortable and barely had enough time to get my lens on him, but thankfully I saw him.

Not my best flight shot, but one of my most satisfying.

1DX, 500mm f/4, 1.4 TC, 1/1250 at f/8, ISO 640 at a refreshing 5 degrees.

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 3, 2016 at 1:41 PM
Great flight shot, and congratulations finally having your wanted image devil. Lovely light and BG colors ! Cheers, Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 3, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Congratulations. That eye just pops. The background is also very nice.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 3, 2016 at 4:17 PM
You sure nailed the focus on this one, Kurt.  The eye is incredible and I like the bg.  A different wing position might have been nice, but that's an awfully minor nit.  Congratulations on breaking the curse.

devil
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 3, 2016 at 4:19 PM
Hi Kurt,

Very nice details and ideal lighting.  I like the slight blur in the wing tips with everything else sharp. I'm glad you captured this guy in flightdevil..............................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 3, 2016 at 5:50 PM
I like it as psorted and would be happy to have taken it.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Floyd Hopper on January 3, 2016 at 7:52 PM
BIF.  Remarkable photo.  Personally,I would like to see a little more exposure in post editing on the head and neck.
Registered on May 1, 2009, 652 Posts, 762 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on January 3, 2016 at 8:08 PM
Very nice job with the exposure and sharpness. 
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Thompson on January 4, 2016 at 8:48 PM
Congrats Kurt! Persistance pays off sometimes. Like everyone say's, that eye really pops. Well done!
Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments
Comment posted by David Bogener on January 13, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Very satisfying indeed.  Nice light and detail.  Well done.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments