Harlequin Duck

[Rob Melone]

Barnegat Light, NJ

I was having a conversation with some birders on the jetty while I had my lens focused on this harlequin drake. While kneeling, I would turn to talk with them and while they were responding I refocused. This shot occurred during our two way conversation. It is full frame and slightly rotated so there is not much I can do with providing more room. The tide was also on the low side which for those who shoot from a jetty know can be a problem for the angle. Still, I’m grateful for having the opportunity to capture this image.

Nikon D7000
Nikkor 300mm f/4 w/1.4x teleconverter
1/2500
f/5.6
ISO 400

Manual exposure
Hand held

C & C are welcome!

[Bill Dix]

Nice one, Rob. Great wing flap, and the exposure looks just right, which is sometimes tough with these guys. Yes, shooting angle is almost always an issue at the jetty, especially at low tide. This might have been a time where the TC could have come off.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rob, great colours showing here, and well timed to get the wingflap. The angle of the duck is great too. Full frame mentioned, so it is a touch too tight all round. Could you have removed your TC?

[Daniel Cadieux]

Perfect exposure, sharpness, colours. I bet you wish the TC was not on (it's pretty tight as is, and the best pose was likely cut at the near wings, but I am impressed you can get so close to this species. I love the speckling of water beads on the belly.

[Randall Farhy]

Rob, have heard that this species visits Barnegat but have never seen them there myself- this is a very good capture. Can't be prepped for all possible circumstances but I think you made due quite well on this one!

[dankearl]

Cool photo of this species, nice pose, for full frame, I might expect a tad sharper?

[Rob Melone]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I think removing the tc would have helped this image, especially if the tide was higher!