Saturday, April 20, 2013

Areas Needing Work

Ring-necked Ducks
I arrived early enough the next morning to see several more ring-necked ducks on the pond.  I counted four males and 1 or 2 females.  Wikipedia makes this observation:  Unpaired ducks showing up on breeding grounds will most likely end up being non-breeders. The pairs stay together only for reproduction, until then, they separate.  

Ring-necked Duck Pair
I had not shot ducks or many birds for some time and needed reminding of several things.  My goal is that these things would come to mind during shooting and not just later at the computer.  

The white portions of the birds are extremely prone to over exposure and need in camera compensation.  I shoot raw which gives me more latitude for adjustments later in the computer.  

I have been thinking and learning about my camera's auto focus settings since I shot the Wide-winged Hawk earlier this season.  I can now adjust the auto focus settings on the fly, albeit, slowly.  A shot such as the one above is a challenge because I don't have enough DOF, depth-of-field, to render the eyes of both ducks sharply.

As I practice, I am beginning to be able to direct my attention to the light conditions instead of just technical issues.

Ring-necked Duck Pair
Tomorrow, I will go into more detail about my practice and post shot processing practices.

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Friday, April 19, 2013

Duck Overload

Ring-necked Duck Drake
I was the first to arrive the other morning and I found a pair of Ring-necked ducks.  This is the drake.  They are not large and they are diving ducks.  They are migrating to spring breeding grounds.  

Ring-necked Duck Drake
The are so named because the male has a cinnamon colored band around its neck.  

Ring-necked Duck Pair
Like most duck species, the female shows only a few markings in common with the male.  They were patient with me and I made nearly 800 captures.  I finished after three days of work with less that 10% to keep and even fewer that I thought I can print.  

The experience served to remind me that I need much practice and improvement as a photographer.  I will discuss that tomorrow.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Lamenting the One That Got Away!

GNC Pond
The geese and ducks have not been on the pond in the mornings when I arrive, lately.  If I hurry, I can get there before the sun rises above the forest.  It is a great time to photograph.  Clouds always make it interesting.  

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Monday, April 15, 2013

The Perfect Landscape, Not!

Sunrise Pond
When I arrived, the geese were floating off to the right in the open water.  I soon realized that I had a unique opportunity for an image.  I quickly set up my camera but, alas, the geese had moved onto the little peninsula by the time I was ready.  Maybe I should have snapped a hand held one before I set up.  Their heads were not meeting the opposite shoreline when I first saw them.  Every thing was ideal!  Oh, I guess it is like the big fish that got away.


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Sunday, April 14, 2013

Goose Action

Canada Goose
I am exceedingly interested in flight.  When I see geese flying, I compare, in my mind, their flight with that of aircraft.  

Canada Goose
It is like being at the airport watching bombers land.  It is amazing to me that they do it with such grace.

Canada Goose
Landing is Landing whether it is a goose or an airplane, even down to the flair before touchdown!  

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