Harlequin Duck Comes Closer.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The rare-for-our-region Harlequin Duck comes in for a closer inspection. From my prone-on-my-belly low angle approach the mallards kept crossing between me and this gal, blocking the view. Luckily I had brought tasty treats for them and threw some hard to my left to get them out of the way. That worked like a charm, paving the way for a clear look at the Harlequin Duck through the lens. As you can see, the light came from the left, and this head angled splashed the light just perfectly onto the face.

Amazingly the brouhaha caused by the mallards fighting for food caused her to bee-line it straight towards me to investigate. An unexpected and very welcome surprise. She turned around and came in a second time too...even closer!

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/400s., f/5.6, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, FF image, usual eye work, reduced the bluish cast on the shaded part of the body (still some left-over too!)

[Bob Smith]

A very fine image--I like the way the bow wave water magnifies the detail of the breast feathers Daniel--what combination of focus sensors did you use for this and how far away from you was the bird?

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks for the comment Bob. This was single centre point (AI Servo, of course). The subject must have been about 20 feet away at this point. She did not stop approaching until she was about TWO feet away from my face, next to the barrel of the lens!!

[Doug Schurman]

Great detail Daniel and way to hold the sharpness with 1/400 ss. I really like the little water beads. In an ideal world I'd love to see the bird turn its head a little more.

[Diane Miller]

You're a magician with birds! Most of the ones I find are afraid of lenses. I love the inquisitive look!

[P-A. Fortin]

2 feet away? That's insane.

Did your bait/lure it somehow or did it came this close out of "luck"? I mean, the Ottawa river is not like a small pond :)

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Daniel - Gorgeous image of this lady. Excellent low pov, HA and detail. The wave takes it up a notch.

TFS,
Rachel

[Daniel Cadieux]

2 feet away? That's insane.

Did your bait/lure it somehow or did it came this close out of "luck"? I mean, the Ottawa river is not like a small pond :)

Thanks P-A! No bait for this gal, unless you consider baiting the mallards out of the way as counting (see original caption on the first post). The Rideau River she is found at is much, much narrower

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, another great low angle of capture here, and yes, the head turn with the light falling on it has turned out perfectly. I like how we can see through the water of the bow wave showing her breast.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

With no doubts this is my favorite image of the series!
Lovely pose, nice low-shooting angle produced an intimate image and plenty details and with great eye contact.
Also love how the feathers on chest seem to be enlarged by the water.

[keith mitchell]

Daniel I have enjoyed the other images in this series but this one has to be my favourite.

Keith.

[John Robinson]

That bow wave is the cream on the cake Dan.- along with the slightly tilted head. Great stuff.
John

[Satish Ranadive]

Marvelous image, Daniel Sir.
Great details on duck, even through water film. Beautiful colors, BG and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the bow wave, IQ, details, eye contact and composition. Well done Daniel.

[Joseph Przybyla]

I echo the previous comments. Lovely image, Daniel. Thank you for sharing.