Lyle Gruby
01-17-2015, 10:27 AM
148479
Yes, I actually shot these long-tailed ducks in Arkansas last year. I was on a family farm, and I was actually scouting for hawks to try and photograph. We saw some ducks on a pond and looked at them through binoculars, but we couldn't figure out what these white ones were. We got a little closer, I crawled up over a hill, and took a picture from a LONG way away and zoomed in on it--I knew immediately what they were and couldn't contain my excitement. I began crawling up closer and they actually stayed on the water-- which doesn't happen in Arkansas since ducks are hunted so aggressively. I shot them at every opportunity for the next 2 days before I had to go back to work. This was by far my most productive morning. I got there way before daylight and camped out near the bank I noticed they liked. However, on this morning they stayed away from me and eventually decided to move to the other side of the pond and began fishing. I would wait until they were all under water and I'd get up and move closer as I sort of timed it in my head as to how long they'd stay under water. They were definitely aware of me but I took my time and tried not to pressure them. I eventually got into a place where I could get some shots and they weren't scared. They only stayed for a few days and were gone 2 days after these shots were taken. This was one of my favorite photographic experiences I have had. All C&C welcome.
Techs:
D3S
700mm
f/6.3
ISO 640
1/2000
This is already a healthy crop, and I don't really have the IQ to come in much more. Birds sharpened, NR to BG, I believe I ran some destructure in Nik Viveza on the BG.
Yes, I actually shot these long-tailed ducks in Arkansas last year. I was on a family farm, and I was actually scouting for hawks to try and photograph. We saw some ducks on a pond and looked at them through binoculars, but we couldn't figure out what these white ones were. We got a little closer, I crawled up over a hill, and took a picture from a LONG way away and zoomed in on it--I knew immediately what they were and couldn't contain my excitement. I began crawling up closer and they actually stayed on the water-- which doesn't happen in Arkansas since ducks are hunted so aggressively. I shot them at every opportunity for the next 2 days before I had to go back to work. This was by far my most productive morning. I got there way before daylight and camped out near the bank I noticed they liked. However, on this morning they stayed away from me and eventually decided to move to the other side of the pond and began fishing. I would wait until they were all under water and I'd get up and move closer as I sort of timed it in my head as to how long they'd stay under water. They were definitely aware of me but I took my time and tried not to pressure them. I eventually got into a place where I could get some shots and they weren't scared. They only stayed for a few days and were gone 2 days after these shots were taken. This was one of my favorite photographic experiences I have had. All C&C welcome.
Techs:
D3S
700mm
f/6.3
ISO 640
1/2000
This is already a healthy crop, and I don't really have the IQ to come in much more. Birds sharpened, NR to BG, I believe I ran some destructure in Nik Viveza on the BG.