Wood duck in fog

[kevin Hice]

Shot in Nd slough. This particular slough sits in a coulee and has more foggy mornings than I would like. But it is about my only wood duck habitat. Sits not too far from the Missouri river. Wood ducks don't appear much farther west in Nd for lack of trees/sloughs or potholes. I live in the Central flyway and the prairie pothole region
is east of me. The lack of Woodies is contributed to the lack of habitat hence no trees occur on the prairie. Processed with Dpp 4 Photoshop.
Canon R3
Rf 400 2.8
400 mm wide open
1/1250
ISO 8000 Should have mentioned shot from my floating blind. I use my blind almost exclusively. I just take it for granted.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I love it, the low angle, the rich colours of the duck and the subtle background in shades of green to light brown. I like the bill slightly open - seems like he's saying, "howdy". This blind of yours is a real asset.

(What does Nd slough mean?? I think a slough is a stretch of water - perhaps we call it a canal - I am intrigued - did a google but unsure??)

[kevin Hice]

Jonathan thanks for the comments. In Nd we have plenty of sloughs and potholes from when the glacier went through. A slough I use the term meaning a swampy area full of cattails usually very shallow and stagnant water.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Jonathan thanks for the comments. In Nd we have plenty of sloughs and potholes from when the glacier went through. A slough I use the term meaning a swampy area full of cattails usually very shallow and stagnant water.

Thanks Kevin - excuse my ignorance but Nd - what's that?

[kevin Hice]

That's Ok state North Dakota

[Jonathan Ashton]

That's Ok state North Dakota

...I should have worked that one out!!

[Arthur Morris]

Whoa! New lens. When did you get that one? As noted by Jon, this is a loverly image. You got the whole reflection and the purple cheek patch.

with love, artie

[Randy Stout]

Kevin:

Very nice Woodie. I love it when their mouth is open, they do indeed seem to be chatting. The soft light helped show all the colors and detail. Fog works nicely too.

Can you share a few details or perhaps an image of your floating blind? Home built or perhaps from Mr. Jan? I have pondered getting one for awhile. 95% of my shooting is from my boat/kayak, because the loons move so much, and are on larger bodies of water. I still would like to try a floating blind for other waterfowl species on the small ponds and streams that dot Michigan. Thanks ! Randy

[kevin Hice]

Randy home made. I have put some images on here late last summer I believe. I am building a new one message me and I can send you some photos.