Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)

Oly E-500, 70-300 (@300), ISO 400, f5.6, 1/400, hand-held, 25% cropped.
How could I improve this? I agree a tripod would have helped, but they weren't exactly tame . Just more patience in setting up?
Here's a few others from the series:
http://www.myrabo.com/4images/data/media/2/P9300402-r_2.jpg
http://www.myrabo.com/4images/data/media/2/P9300418-r.jpg
http://www.myrabo.com/4images/data/media/2/P9300439-r.jpg (left)

Arne

Arne,

These are pretty good! When I photograph waterfowl I always try to find a position where the camera can be as close to surface of the water, that way your eye level with the birds. Also, try to find a place where your foreground and background are free of distractions that way you can stop down to get the best DOF and still have a clean image.

The best images are made when you put your time in. This means scouting out locations to shoot from, setting up blinds, getting there before sunrise or sunset for the best light. You may find yourself sitting and waiting a lot more, but you'll find you'll get your best pictures this way. If the bird doesn't know your there they will come within feet of your blind at times.

I hope this helps.

Truly,

Ben

The foreground on the left side is distracting but I like the poses of the ducks here. You could probably crop this one to pano..up from the foreground to the bottom of the log.

I like how the duck on the left seems prepared to (forgive me) take a swan dive.

The only thing bugging me a bit is the OOF snag at the bottom.

Thanks for the feedback. I confess I was focused on the reflections and really didn't even notice the "snag"! Next time (sigh).

Arne

You might be able to use the clone stamp to eliminate some of the snag. I like the pose so it might be worth the effort to work with it a little more.