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Cute factor? (warning)

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15 replies
Posted by Stephen Kaluski on April 23, 2010 at 2:43 AM
Cute factor? (warning)
Whilst waiting to photograph another subject, we suddenly found ourselves being mobbed by a party of extremely young, inquisitive and persistent mallards. No enticement, baiting or incentives were made, they all came on their own way to investigate. To the point where the 500 was put aside and the 70-200 became hopeless too, even a macro that someone else used could not cover how close they got, certainly up front & personal. Once they looked and checked us out they then hurried back to Mum. This continued for abut 10 minutes, back and forth.

Agreed, this is not a stunning image, light is harsh and focus could be better, just posted as a bit of fun.

Steve
MKIII 70-200 f2/8 1/1000 f/5.6 ISO 200
Posted by Andy Shepherd on April 23, 2010 at 2:54 AM

Cute warning indeed!! as for the shot Steve, it has some lovely backlighting which shows off the very fine detail in the feathers. Must have been a lovely experience.

Andy...
Posted by PhilH on April 23, 2010 at 2:58 AM
We had the same with Ducklings the other week... I actually like this image, only minor nit and nothing you could do about, is that the OOF bird is not better placed...

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by John MacTavish on April 23, 2010 at 3:10 AM
Great to see wee ducks. Still waiting on the nests near our ponds to hatch
:toast:
Posted by Justin on April 23, 2010 at 3:12 AM
A good story and a good accompanying image. :cool:
Posted by Graham Goddard on April 23, 2010 at 4:05 AM
Cute indeed - Mallard chicks though mate......
Posted by Calum Dickson on April 23, 2010 at 4:58 AM
Definitely cute :smile: How often are you mobbed by chicks Steve??? :biggrin:

:toast: :toast: :toast:
Calum
Posted by David Taylor on April 23, 2010 at 5:58 AM
I had duck for dinner yesterday. Can't wait for these to grow up. :biggrin: :wink:

:toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by Brett Lewis on April 23, 2010 at 6:17 AM
Fun story and Fun image.. Nicely captured moment..

Brett :toast:
Posted by Lewis Thomson on April 23, 2010 at 9:52 AM

Hi Steve,

I love it, my only nit is the one thats already been pointed out by PhilH. The leader looks a cheeky little so n so!

Cheers,

Lewis.
:toast:
Posted by David Sewell on April 23, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Cute indeed. Another shot that works because of the low viewpoint.

David
Posted by Andrew Harrington on April 23, 2010 at 12:10 PM
aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted by Austin Thomas on April 23, 2010 at 12:13 PM
You are getting soft in your old age Steve !

But it is cute as you say.

Cheers

Austin
Posted by Tom Smit on April 23, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Sometimes it's the picture that counts, but here the experience is more important. At least if it would happen to me.
Although good shot despite the circumstances.
:toast: :toast:
Posted by Phil Mclean on April 23, 2010 at 2:16 PM
As you say nice fun moment but also a tender moment for you,well caughjt in the circumstances.

Phil. :toast:
Posted by Guy Rogers on April 23, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Hello Stephen.

I love it when these kind of moments happen and this image brings back lot of memories.

Love the lighting on the first duckling giving some very nice detail while you have kept some good detail in the dark areas of the ducking. I find the OOF ducking fine and in just the right place.

The only nit for me if I was going to pick one would be the bright stone just in front of the ducking, which I would try and tone down a little.

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey: