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Duckling Rescue
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Duckling Rescue

by Jim DeWitt

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted April 22, 2016119 views3 comments
Canon 1D-X, 500mm f4,handheld
f7.1, 1/400, ISO1000

We had a family of Wood Ducks – a hen and 13 (!) ducklings – move through our back yard to our creek this morning. In all of the excitement, one of the ducklings got lost and left behind. My wife, Nancy, who is very experienced in handling birds. She rescued this little guy, pausing only briefly for a photo. The whole story is here. I had the wrong lens on my camera, but the shot still came out okay.

90% of full frame. Slight adjustments to Levels. Selective sharpening of bird.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 23, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Hi Jim, a good look at this little one and a fine, fun story.  We once had the pleasure of raising a Mallard hen from an egg.  A politician showed up at a nature rally with a duck egg asking if anyone could take care of it.  (He picked the egg up from a nest in the median of a busy 6 lane highway...clearly not understanding that such places are often used for nesting.)  Anyway, my wife had an incubator so we raised that duck.  As she grew, she would follow my daughter or myself around the yard pecking at our heels!  We eventually moved her into a large outdoor cage where we would close the door at night for her protection.  In early fall, we started leaving the door open and she eventually disappeared with no sign of foul (or is that fowl??!) play.  Hopefully she found more of her own kind.  How nice that your were able to turn this little one loose right away.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on April 23, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Hi Jim,

An appropriate image for Earth Day.  The composition is very strong and tells us that humans can be an essential part of nature. The image is perfect for your storydevil.................................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on May 1, 2016 at 9:27 AM
Hey Jim,
A touching story to say the least and a great image. The Blog is impressive and is obviously presented with great thought and dedication. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments