Splish Splash

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This Harlequin Duck was doing its morning routine, the splashing seems to be part of it. :)



1D3, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/1000s, f/8, EC -0.67, ISO 400

[Connie Mier]

Interesting tail feathers! Skillfully captured, Axel. It seems a bit tight, but then again, the water splashes covering the entire frame is a nice touch.

[Anand Kavalapara]

That is a nice looking duck and great image of it in action. Do these ever come closer to the shore?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

That is a nice looking duck and great image of it in action. Do these ever come closer to the shore?

Thanks, Anand! Harlequin Ducks prefer rocky shores. Sometimes they rest on the rocks and if you approach them slowly they might let you get quite close, this image for example is not cropped much. In Massachusetts you can find them at Andrew's Point in Rockport on Cape Ann. Be very careful, the rocks there can be very slippery.

[Anand Kavalapara]

Axel

Thanks for sharing the location. Still appreciate the detailed email you sent me abt 3 years back, about photographing birds in South beach Chatham.

[Michael Zajac]

Axel, Nice action captured. I like the splashes and the details. The tail feathers look good.

[Fabs Forns]

Very nice pose, nice bird and water drops a big plus.

[James Littlejohn]

Nice splashy energy. I think they just do this for fun. Really nice colour in this shot.

[Myer Bornstein]

Anand An other location that is great for harlequins is Sachuet NWR in Middletown RI. This year there have been at least 100+ harlequins present and right up to the shore.
Also this is a great picture of their activity
Myer

[Steve Canuel]

Really like the puffed up chest and splayed tail feathers. Water drops are sharp, clear, and a big plus for the image.

[Matt Vosniak]

Loving the action with all the flying water Axel. Never had the priviledge to photograph one of these fell but I gotta believe getting a good exposure is very difficult. Yours here looks pretty darn sweet though. Well done!!!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Great timing Axel and beautifully capture with excellent exposure and the water droplets adds a lot to this image.

[Nathan Beaulne]

Very nice, love the composition and the that tail spread

[Chris van Rooyen]

Lovely action and sharpness, great "moment"!

[Nate Chappell]

Love the pose of the tail straight up in the air, nice action Axel.