Coming Out of the Dark

[Doug Brown]

I spent yesterday morning at our local zoo with Miguel and another friend because the winter ducks are starting to arrive. The temperature was cold but the action was hot. I photographed this Wood Duck as it was flying from a shady spot to a sunnier area of the pond. Manual exposure is a must for this type of exposure!

Canon 1Dx, 400mm f/5.6, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO 500, manual exposure, hand held

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Doug,

Greetings. Wow, that's outstanding. I really like the chiaroscuro impact and especially the water droplets enhancing the detail on the breast. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Jonathan Ashton]

Doug it's an absolute gem, lovely DOF and fine detail.

[Richard Flack]

Incredible photograph Doug. Really awesome!

[vishaljadhav]

Wonderful image, the exposure on the duck with the dark bg is wonderful. Good IQ.

[adrian dancy]

As good as it gets. Everything looks good to me.

[Rick Bowers]

Amazing Woody flight shot! I'm usually not a big fan of dark BG's but it really works here. Congrats.

[Randy Stout]

Doug:

Very dramatic, sharp, excellent detail/exposure, I like the feet showing up, comp.

Well captured.

Cheers

Randy

[Tim King]

Nice wing position, and exposure on the whites. Sharp as it gets. The sun angle is not ideal for flight shots as it creates a lot of shadows on the bird.

[Thinus Schoeman]

I have to agree, it is as good as it gets I think! Very well done!

[Carl Walker]

Supper capture Doug. Water droplets excellent detail and lighting all works well

[Danny Laredo]

This is just fantastic!! Well done!

[Marina Scarr]

Killer flight shot, Doug. The duckie against that dark BG really pops. Love the pose and the droplets.

[Markus Jais]

Awesome shot. I like the dark background and the light on the duck. Fantastic sharpness and details in the feathers. One of the best shots this species I've seen seen.

Markus

[Karl Egressy]

Great flight shot if this fancy looking duck, one of my favorites.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent pose, sharpness and details. I love the dark BG

[Miguel Palaviccini]

I don't think there is anything I would do different to this shot ...

...

Except maybe print it!

[pat lillich]

wow Doug - this is truly beautiful - especially love the pattern of the water on its breast extending the dots...

[gail bisson]

A wonderful image! Congrats and TFS
Gail

[HadiAnsari]

Hi Doug.
Great flight shot .I like the pose .droplets and the dark BG.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Stunning frame Doug, great dark BG and some light on the duck works very nicely. I also like the pose and droplets well done.

[David Salem]

Very cool Doug! Very unique and artistic presentation on this great looking Wood Duck shot. The detail and exposure look great against that dark BG. Well done. See ya soon

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

[LinzRiverBalmer]

beautifully done, I'm late to the party on this one. What BG at the zoo did you use? Was this in the main pond by the amphitheater??

Nothing I would change, best image of a wood duck I've seen. I told Miguel on his wigeon post, I will ask our neighbor for permission if you both want to come shoot at her pond in Corrales.

[Doug Brown]

beautifully done, I'm late to the party on this one. What BG at the zoo did you use? Was this in the main pond by the amphitheater??

Nothing I would change, best image of a wood duck I've seen. I told Miguel on his wigeon post, I will ask our neighbor for permission if you both want to come shoot at her pond in Corrales.

This was shot as the duck was flying from the water in front of the amphitheater to the main pond. What kind of birds does your neighbor have? I'd be interested in paying him/her a visit. Thanks for the offer!

[LinzRiverBalmer]

Hi Doug thanks for the area info for your BG. I must get to the zoo with my newer camera before the festival for practice.

i shall ask my neighbors permission, she should be fine with things.

she was funded by the wildlife fund and I believe the pond was done back in 99 or 2000.

they took a 1 acre plot of their land and went work, BG is great as its surrounded by tall foliage, mostly native grasses with berms, so easy to hide yourself.

last I checked wood ducks galore, blue heron, kingfishers, other ducks, raccoons... Oops not a bird, guinea fowl.

across the street from my house we've had a pair of owls in a cottonwood for years, they will talk to you.

small raptors, kestrels, and juveniles love it.

if you are really adventurous both my neighbor and my father have bat houses. My father built ours and its a duplex. Video one time we counted somewhere in the high hundreds once.

will ask dad if they are already gone for the year. Will ask what's on the pond right now too.

will send you a PM after I talk to the neighbor.

[D. Robert Franz]

Love the lighting on this one Doug!

[Doug Brown]

Appreciate the comments everyone!

[Matthew Studebaker]

beautiful pose and I love the dark background. Very nice.

[BobbyPerkins]

Awesome, really does Pop off that nice dark background, and well defined.