One colorful duck

I guess if I were to paint a duck it would be this one , The drake wood duck is most magnificent , I know there are a lot of images of ducks but the light on the water and the duck made this a photo I really like , what do you think ?
thanks
randall

well exposed, beautiful light and the water is very soothing, nice documentary shot.

I also think the shot is a bit static even with the duck plowing a bit of water, your angle is a bit high for duck shots, and maybe if the duck were framed off center it would attract more interest. Try to put a little more space in the front of the bird or at least off-set him a bit from the center.

Do you have more?

Hi Tony
Thanks for the comments , I couldn't get any lower , but I could have moved him over, this was cropped. When you say static you do mean no action right , he just swam away , as you know it's hard to get flying birds in the right focus, exposure, light, and composed just right , but we keep trying , I have seen your work it's great.
Thanks Randall

Nice photo Randall. Knowing from recent experience that Wood Ducks are extremely shy, and difficult to get close to, how close to this one were you, and how long did you have to wait to get this shot? I'm just looking for advice and encouragement!

Morris In MT

I live close to a very large creek here called Paint creek and being raised here in the next county I never was able to get close enough with a shotgun until I learned to hide, where you expect them to be, I watched and waited until he paddled up to within 5 or 6 feet of the shore and started shooting, he heard my Nikon d2x click away" its much louder than my d100 but its very fast" I usually wait one hour if they don't show I move on up or down the creek . Once about a month ago I had a flock of nearly 100 land close to me but too much brush to get any good shots.
Go to Bass pro shop and buy their one man outhouse tent only cost about $120.00 if memory serves me it makes a wonderful portable lightweight tent , with enough room for you and a seat and your tripod which is a must. You'll have birds to close to focus . Back yard shot .
Hope this helps Morris: any way I can help I will .

Thanks Randall

Randall, I think wood ducks are up there with the king fisher, and western blue herrons, to photograph. Getting close to them is like trying to stock a bobcat!

I'm envious, I've never been that close to a wood duck. Your tactic is exactly how I'd would approach it however. Time in the blind and knowing where the birds will show is priceless!

Thanks for your kind comments. I'm not much of a bird guy, but do, on occation photograph a few. Take care,

If I waited to photograph beautiful landscapes or big game I would never get any practice here in southern Ohio lol we each do what we can with what we got available I guess Thanks Randall

Thanks for the advice Randall. I have been getting a few decent photos of some birds lately, but have not been able to sneak up on the wood ducks yet. I have a friend who has about 15 pairs on his place right now, but the weather is not cooperating this week! Oh well. It will quit snowing/raining eventually, and when it does........ look out wood ducks!

Kmorris

Its a lot of fun, they really keep you on your toes. What part of Montana do you live in I went to Ennis once to go hunting near the Madison river. were planning a photo shoot through your country I hope this year , any good tips. Thanks Randall

I live in Townsend, which is about 75 miles North and West of Ennis. We play them in H.S. sports. Of course no photo trip through Montana is complete without going through either Yellowstone or Glacier Parks. But, so much of the state is photogenic that you could go just about anywhere and keep your shutter flappin'.

yes we plan on hitting Yellowstone and glacier , that big sky country is what got me started in photography back in 76 ,I bought a Minolta camera and litterly wore it out twice, and started to buy another when an old Nikon shooter suggested I buy into a system . Nikon was suggested because I could always keep using the same lenses he was right and Now I have great tools, but after 30 years I'm still working on the talent and technique lol I really like that country and cant wait to get back out there. Good shooting to ya
Randall