Mallard Pair

[David Cowling]

It's a rare occasion that we have a total freeze over of the lake, but after a minus 4 degrees C overnight the lake had a covering of ice. Bad news for the birds as they couldn't feed, they look bemused by the situation. I went and bought some duck food so they could eat, there were probably about 50 birds partaking of the feast.

Canon 5D Mk4. Canon 100-400 L Mk2. Canon 1.4 x Mk3. Hand held.

1/500. F8. ISO 800. ACR and PS 6.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice looking pair, despite the unusual conditions for them (but not for the ones over here!! -27C this morning). I like the overall colours. As posted I'd likely trim a touch off the bottom, and the male's eye looks overly bright. Hopefully things will thaw out soon...in the meantime we still have about 3 months of ice cover .

[David Cowling]

Thanks Dan. I quit like the icy conditions as it provides another dimension to photograph birds in. I havn't done anything to brighten the eye but the sun was low and bright so it must have just caught the light as I took the shot.

[dankearl]

Nice getting both sharp... the males eye does look bright and the crop could be tighter, but a nice winter look.

[John Mack]

Nice view of both of them. Like the pose on the male. Ice is a nice touch here.

[gail bisson]

Very nice image of the male and female.
I second a slightly tighter crop (but as always it is a personal preference).
Good DOF covering both birds.
Gail

[Dorian Anderson]

Nice comparison. Ice is fun as well! I kinda like the wide crop. I'd keep it since I think IQ is going to suffer as you go in.

[Arthur Morris]

Ditto Dan but I do not mind the spacious framing.

with love, artie