Just a standard duck portrait, but these guys are rare during the winter months, and even when in season they do not come close up here. Ever. Except this time, and only after waiting 2 hours lying prone on the ice at the edge of the water. The water was rather choppy, so I had to time the images when the duck was at the top of waves to get a good view from the low angle. The sun was filtering faintly through the thin clouds, which helped with the colours. I was surprised to see some blue on the wing feathers!
Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/640s., f/5.6, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, small crop for comp.
The low POV and the water really make this shot for me. Not that the duck isn't gorgeous. And his signature 'ring neck' shows nicely here. Despite their name it's not usually visible when I see them in our area. Nor is the blue on the wings. Very nicely captured, and I hope you've thawed out.
I echo the rest of the comments. Details are very nice and I like him at the top of the wave. Just my kind of shooting as well with waiting long periods of time in the snow and ice. Man those people in southern California are so spoiled . Not sure if it is a function of the light but the bird seems a bit thin to me. I would consider adding a few points of blacks to the black in selective color. We get many of these wintering in and around NYC and I am quite familiar with them.
Excellent work from where I sit, Daniel. I wouldn't have had your persistence or stamina to get this so doubly impressed for putting up with what. The silkiness of the water and the great handling of the darker tones on the bird lift this. Thanks for sharing.
Ring-necked Duck.
. The water was rather choppy, so I had to time the images when the duck was at the top of waves to get a good view from the low angle. The sun was filtering faintly through the thin clouds, which helped with the colours. I was surprised to see some blue on the wing feathers!
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. Not sure if it is a function of the light but the bird seems a bit thin to me. I would consider adding a few points of blacks to the black in selective color. We get many of these wintering in and around NYC and I am quite familiar with them.
