Mallard duckling

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hand held
Canon 1DX Canon 500mmf4 L IS & 1.4TC III
Auto ISO 6400 -0.3 1/1600 sec f6.3

I was lying on my belly photographing dippers when I saw the mother in the river, the duckling was close behind. The current took the duckling to the riverside where it climbed up and obviously didn't see me or Barney (my dog) who was lying next to me. I quickly rattled off a few shots before it disappeared, the camera settings were those I was using to photograph a static dipper, as is so often the case Auto ISO came in handy.

[John Mack]

I Like the low angle, the stuff that duckling is walking into is distracting. But it sounds like this was in the spur of the moment.

[gail bisson]

Cute grab shot!
I am not crazy about the rock? tree branch ? in the BG as it pulls the eye away from the duckling. I am Ok with the grasses on the left.
Nice low POV and the IQ and detail on the face is excellent.
Nice to see the leg up.
I am not sure the stuff on the bill adds anything to the image,
Gail

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, as a 'grab shot' you did well, any more below as it's certainly tight. Could do a fraction more of some 'perceptual' sharpening for me.

TFS
Steve

[Alex Becker]

I agree with Steve regarding a tad more sharpening. I don't mind the busy BG and such as much due to the 'cuteness' factor of this guy and understand it wasn't a planned shot. I like the eye as well. TFS

[William Dickson]

Great shot Jon, the duckling looks so cute. I like the green ivy creeping onto the frame and the pose on the bird.

Will

[Joseph Przybyla]

Cute little guy or gal... nice image under the circumstances. BTW... I am a big fan of Auto ISO using Manual with a Nikon camera. Thank you for sharing, Jon.

[Daniel Cadieux]

That is too cute! I love the greenery. I agree with Gail about that object in the BG, but the duckling's charm overshadows this :-)

[David Salem]

Thought I commented last night. Not sure what happened?? Cute little guy and I like the exposure and details but I am in the same boat with the others about the busy BG and the stuff on the bill.
TFS