Bufflehead Drake: Catch a Speeding Bullet

[Doug Brown]

These guys are incredibly fast fliers (about 50 mph). This is a frame that I've always wanted in my collection. Photographed in Southern California last week.



Canon 7D, 600mm + 1.4x, f/7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, -1/3 EC, hand held

[Bryan Hix]

Seriously? I will give you an A for 1) being able to get this guy in your viewfinder and track him and 2) handholding your hefty rig while still getting an impressively sharp photo. Great job.

[Bill Dix]

Doug: A truly amazing HH technique for such a long lens and fast-flying bird. Exposure looks spot-on to me. Superb capture.

[Ofer Levy]

Superb!!! Looks technically perfect to me. What do you think about this presentation with more canvas all around ?

[Bonnie Block]

Spectacular, Doug! No one is takin gthis one away from you. Excellent on all accounts----Nearly impossible.
GREAT job!

[Randy Stout]

Doug:

Nice techs of a real challenging bird for BIF.

My 1st thought, once I got past the wow, was, needs more room to fly into.
Because he appears to be angling down, I think Ofer's crop works well.

congrats on a toughie!

Randy

[Danny J Brown]

Dad burn, Doug - This is a phenomenal shot!!!!!!!!!! I've never seen such a little rocketship caught in a razor sharp frame. You nailed that little butterball. By the way, I like Ofer's repost. Good job Ofer.

[Ofer Levy]

Just saw you took this HH using the Canon 600mm - I am even more impressed!!!

[Steve Maxson]

Outstanding, Doug!!! I would echo all the great comments above.

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the repost Ofer! I like the added room on the bottom of the frame.

[denise ippolito]

Doug, Super flight shot! I love the pose and angle!!

[arash_hazeghi]

Super flight pose and awesome BG. Flight pose and wing position can't get any better. A minor point, I see some fringes (chromatic aberration) in the edges of the white patch in the face as well as the water drops. detail is very good and can even take more sharpening.

[Glenn Bartley]

Awesome stuff Doug!!

[Harshad Barve]

this is too good image ,
TFS

[Alan Murphy]

Stunning and impressive image Doug.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Beautiful Doug Bhai, loved the pose and details here, you sure making the 7D work well, congrats...

[James Salywoda]

We sure had fun working these beautiful ducks. This is a superb shot my friend I'm glad you got it.

[Doug Brown]

Always fun to photograph with you Jim!

[gary rouleau]

Doug, this is awesome, catching a bullet with such beautiful colours and detail plus hand held!!!. I think its picture of the year.

Cheers
gary