Finally, Finally a Duck!

peargrinpeargrin Registered Users Posts: 191 Major grins
edited March 22, 2013 in Wildlife
I love ducks. I know when non-photographers see pictures of them, they think nothing more than "oh, that's a pretty duck...". They have no idea the amount of time, stealth, and sheer dumb luck it can take to get a photograph of some of these glorious but skittish creatures. (Unless you're really into Mallards, of course...)

So here's one I finally managed to get this year. The weather was terrible, and it's far from perfect, but I'm so happy to have gotten near such a beauty. (It's a male Red Breasted Merganser.)

Many thanks for looking!


DSC_8832-2-L.jpg

Comments

  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2013
    Pear, I, too, would be thrilled to get this photo! The duck is beautiful, and I KNOW how hard it is to catch them. We were just our riding around and scared up two wood ducks in a nearby pond. It's always when I don't have a camera. I have gotten a couple of photos of diving ducks this year for the first time, but nothing near this quality! Congratulations! Best, Pam
  • squirl033squirl033 Registered Users Posts: 1,230 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2013
    these guys can be very difficult to get close to... looks like you had good success with this one! excellent shot!
    ~ Rocky
    "Out where the rivers like to run, I stand alone, and take back something worth remembering..."
    Three Dog Night

    www.northwestnaturalimagery.com
  • TazZTazZ Registered Users Posts: 52 Big grins
    edited March 16, 2013
    i like it i have gotten some of the hooded ones but they are a hard one o get
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2013
    Very good capture, love those eyes.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2013
    peargrin wrote: »
    ... but I'm so happy to have gotten near such a beauty. (It's a male Red Breasted Merganser.)

    Yep, always great to have such an opportunity ... and well exploited ...

    peargrin wrote: »
    ...(Unless you're really into Mallards, of course...)

    Guilty as charged, m'lud :)

    pp
    Website

    Flickr
  • cgmcdonaldcgmcdonald Registered Users Posts: 61 Big grins
    edited March 19, 2013
    Great shot!

    Sent from my Milestone X using Tapatalk 2
    My Site: www.cgmphoto.us
  • peargrinpeargrin Registered Users Posts: 191 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    Hi Pam, Thanks so much for your wonderful comments. Your Wood Duck encounter is a classic. That duck is high on my wish list, and I haven't been able to get close yet. Wishing good luck to both of us!

    Hi Rocky, thanks so much for the kind review! Very appreciated!

    Hi Taz, Many thanks! Congrats on the Hoodie! I had a close encounter with one this year too, but there was no light at all. Another one for the wish list...

    Hi Harry, I always really appreciate your comments and expertise! Thanks so much! The eyes really are something! I wonder if it helps with their underwater activity in some way?

    Hi Paul, thanks so much for your very kind comments. And I love Mallards too! We wouldn't have very many duck shots without them!

    Hi Charles, many thanks for your kind comment!


    Lesson learned on this one: If you find a duck in a certain area, go back! I did the next day, and came home with a boatload of photos. Terrible light again, but I'm so happy to have them. And I'll go back again, now officially being a duck paparrazzo! :). They're on my site.

    Best wishes,

    Pear

    http://peargrin.smugmug.com
  • AceCo55AceCo55 Registered Users Posts: 950 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2013
    This is a post that gladdens my heart. There are a lot worse photos of ducks taken and I'm sure there have been better photos of ducks taken. BUT THIS IS YOUR PHOTO - a milestone photo - and its is one that has taken you to another level in your photographic career. You can feel the joy and sense of satisfaction you have gained. If one was looking for an example to show people why photography is such a wonderful and worthwhile hobby, you could do worse than point them to this thread.
    Thank you so much for sharing the joy you have experienced in capturing this image.
    My opinion does not necessarily make it true. What you do with my opinion is entirely up to you.
    www.acecootephotography.com
  • Dennis KaczorDennis Kaczor Registered Users Posts: 2,413 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2013
    Nice capture and great eye on the Red-breasted Merganser. The females are always coming in close here, and the males are timid most of the times and stay out.
    Regards - Dennis

    Dennis Kaczor Photography
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