Wood Duck [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

Miguel Palaviccini

05-20-2013, 01:26 PM

Sort of my nemesis bird ... I'd seen them quite a few times, but always too far to photograph. This time I had two things going for me: I learned about patience and there happened to be more males than females. As I approached the edge of the pond, they all swam to the other side (expected). I lay down on my belly and got comfortable for a bit. I noticed that out of the 14 total, only 5 were females. That left 4 unpaired males. I'm not one to use calls much (I'm not experienced and never know if it's too much, or not enough, or what birds responds to ... etc), but I used my iBird app to send out the female Hoodie call. That got their attention and slowly they came over to investigate. Once they got within range I was able to get some shots, with this one being one of my favorites.

Shooting info:
Nikon D800 | 500 f/4 + 1.4
1/500" | f/6.3 | ISO 2500
Grizzly bean bag for support (full review here (http://mrpalaviccini.blogspot.com/2013/05/review-grizzly-bean-bag.html))

Vivaldo Damilano

05-20-2013, 01:42 PM

Great to get the open beak and the head turned towards you. I love the smooth water and BG. Well done on getting good detail ESP in the shadows area's, very nice Miguel.

Marina Scarr

05-20-2013, 02:32 PM

Great job on working these ducks, Miguel, and it looks as though your technique and patience has paid off. You have a lovely calling pose and water. Nice low angle.

jack williamson

05-20-2013, 06:14 PM

Well done to get this bird in range. The shooting angle is great, the duck is excellent and the fade into the oof bg is perfect.

Jack

dankearl

05-20-2013, 07:28 PM

Nice Duck, Miguel.
A bit toned down, I would saturate a bit more, but that is how they look where I live.

Grace Scalzo

05-20-2013, 08:10 PM

Nemesis no more, Miguel. Beautiful duck, and a nice pose. I think you could add just a bit more contrast as well as saturation, as per Dan.

Roman Kurywczak

05-20-2013, 09:29 PM

Very nice details and angle. I too think you could boost the contrast a touch.....but an easy tweak to a fine image!

Juan Carlos Vindas

05-20-2013, 11:36 PM

Quite nice, and with open beak! very nicely colored bird, light and bg.

Frank Schauf

05-21-2013, 01:51 AM

Excellent image quality, great details and sharpness.

Karl Egressy

05-21-2013, 06:17 AM

Great pose and beutiful calm water, Miguel. I would darken the mid tones of the duck.

Kaustubh Deshpande

05-21-2013, 04:51 PM

Excellent shot...loved the open bill-raised crest pose and the clean BG. You can add some color sat and if the reds near the eye are getting too hot, add a mask there. You also got the purple cheek patch.

Other than that, I have two suggestions (a) use of a slightly warmer white balance and (b) move the bird a little to the right in the frame.

Robert Holguin

05-22-2013, 12:58 AM

Beautiful shot!
Love the calling pose, excellent details, shooting angle is just amazing, and wonderful background.
Your patience paid off very well.
Well done.

Satish Ranadive

05-22-2013, 03:57 AM

Beautiful image of beautiful bird.
Love the colors,details,lights and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

mohammad reza shahab

05-22-2013, 04:13 AM

Love the calling pose,beutiful details and BG.
Well done.