Wood Duck pair at loafing site

[Ed Erkes]

Nikon D2X, 200-400 with 1.7X.
Spent five mornings in a blind photographing wood ducks about two years ago. Wood ducks in North Carolina are very skittish and I had to be in the blind before sunrise. After feeding and courtship activities, this pair crawled onto a log for a siesta under some overhanging branches by the shore. I have lots of more conventional photos, but I like this one because it is a little different. Of course, the nonphotographers I show it to don't seem very impressed by it.

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Ed, I am afraid that most photographers may not be very impressed by this one. It is different, and I like the relections, but with the birds buried, it simply does not work for me. You would surely enjoy a visit to Chagrin Reservation in Cleveland in early OCT....

later and love, artie

[Judd Patterson]

Hey Ed. I can sure appreciate the difficulty of approaching/photographing Wood Ducks in some locations. Still, I also feel that this is a tough image due to all the clutter in front of the ducks. Even the brightly colored male gets lost quickly in the branches and doesn't hold my eye/interest long. Beyond the gorgeous reflections, I do like that you managed to keep both eyes visible...that gives this image a bit of a connection to the viewer...but I still think your conventional images of these ducks are probably much better. Nice work thinking outside the box...keep on experimenting!

[Ed Erkes]

Certainly tastes vary. Here is one of my more conventional photos from the same trip. I also like this one, but we've all seen images like this before. I like the original post because it shows how a very colorful subject can camouflage itself. It also illustrates typical midmorning/early afternoon behavior of the species. I had read that they "generally rest or loaf in areas of cover, often on a log under overhanging cover at the edge of the shore." I was excited that the wood ducks showed exactly this behavior ,and yet I could clearly see their eyes through the branches.For those interested in learning more about wood duck ecology, I highly recommend Frank Bellrose's Ecology and Management of the Wood Duck; It is the bible on wood duck behavior. Frank Bellrose, along with Fredric Leopold (Aldo Leopold's brother) have probably done more research on wood ducks than any other scientists.

This may well be an image that only a parent could love, but I like it a lot.

P.S. If it is inappropriate to show another image in the same thread, please delete this one.

[Todd Frost]

I see what you were going for. Maybe a tighter crop? As has been said earlier its a tough one for most viewers. Put together in a series depicting the ducks behavior it opens up more possibilities.
Todd