A Pair

[Stu Bowie]

These two Black bellied whistling ducks are probably males, but its always great to capture more than one in the frame. I nearly managed perfect wing positions from both, but will have to do with this. Taken at a local pond in Pretoria a little while back in winter.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/2000
F/6.3
ISO 640

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

This is quite nice, with similar poses, good DOF, sharp, well exposed, composition. Lighting really makes the ducks pop.

Next time I want three in a row

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

I really like the diagonal line created by the 2 ducks. Allows for a very nice comp. Great wing and head positions. I wish the ripples of the water continued into the right upper corner of the frame. Great techs,
Gail

[Kiran Poonacha]

Love the angle of the birds and the POP makes this Bhai.. nicely done.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks guys and Gail.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Stuart, nice one. good DOF coverage, clean view of the heads, angle and light is excellent. Well done.

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp with perfect EXP. Love the wing position of the rear bird (as I suspect that you do too).

[Doug Brown]

I'd take the wing position of the rear bird any day. Always nice to get both birds sharp. I like the pano crop and the nice exposure.

[dankearl]

Very nice, Stuart, getting both birds that sharp is no mean feat and both with in such great flight poses.
I am really impressed.

[Craig Brelsford]

Your techs are spot-on, as ever, Stu, and it is indeed no mean feat to get a pair together and in focus. A pity that one so often is required to shoot from the car in South Africa; I can see how a lower perspective could make this fine shot even better.

[Stu Bowie]

A pity that one so often is required to shoot from the car in South Africa; I can see how a lower perspective could make this fine shot even better.

Thanks Craig. This location is at a local pond in Pretoria, so one can walk around to get the best angle. This was also the lowest angle possible. It is only the National parks that one is restricted to staying in your vehicle.

Thanks to everyone else for your feedback and comments.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Stuart! I like the composition, sharpness, lighting and exposure.

[Nevil Lazarus]

Stuart - I assume your Pretoria pond is the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary. On my visits to Pretoria, I often go there - I have family just over the road. I have never seen this species there -- it is a USA bird - Have they been introduced? The common White-faced Whistling Ducks are always to be seen. I was in South Africa a couple of weeks ago, and saw some interesting local species at the Roberts sanctuary -- but no Black bellied whistling ducks -- interested to hearre this from you,
Regards,
Nevil Lazarus