Wood Duck Drake

[Bill Dix]

For a long time I wondered how folks get such close-up shots of Wood Ducks, which in my neck of the woods are the most skittish of species. One answer, it seems (but probably not the only one) is to find a public duck pond where families and kids feed the ducks. The trick then is to find a single duck that has separated himself from the crowd. Here, after one family departed, the ducks dispersed in search of their next benefactor, and this fellow swam through the only decently colored reflection on the pond. I know it feels a bit like cheating, but hey....

D500, Sigma 150-600C @ 450mm, ISO 1600, 1/640s @ f/8 manual. HH.

[dankearl]

Glad you found out how to get close to one....
I don't know why this is cheating any more than going to
Bosque is?
The ducks at my pond are fed. They are still wild.
The cranes at Bosque are fed, are they not wild? Is it cheating to go there?

Nice image, I prefer a more sitting up pose, but you had a nice low angle and HA.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hey Bill, nice woody. Your comments make me think of Lake Morton. Nice sharp image, complimentary background, wonderful colors. Thank you for sharing.

[John Mack]

I would not consider that cheating. Nice view of the drake. Like those reflections in the water. You even caught that purple on the face.

[gail bisson]

Great ow POV and you nailed the exposure.
I know how you feel re: cheating but it really isn't- just made a bit easier!
Gail

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Nice that you caught him in that good patch of color. Right on exposure under the overcast light we had. Lovely details and like the eye contact.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. OK, I'll admit, "cheating" might be the wrong word. I've certainly not hesitated to take shots of my yard birds outside my back door.