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Spunky the Tufted Duck


Spunky the Tufted Duck
Photo Information
Copyright: Bente Feldballe (milloup) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 483 W: 41 N: 618] (1706)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-04-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron 28-300XR
Exposure: f/11, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Aquatic Birds - Aves Acuáticas [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-10-07 18:13
Viewed: 1435
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Mogens' series of my special springtime friend Spunky brought him back so vividly, that I decided to take a look at some of the numerous photos I made of him during the about 1 month we had the pleasure of knowing him.
Generally, tufted ducks are rather shy - very shy, if you compare them to hungry mallards ;-)). However, Spunky was more courageous than the rest of them, which is what gave him his name. Usually, it would be hard to distinguish one tufted duck from another, but in this particular case it was not so hard. Spunky had a wound on his chest looking like a triangle without any feathers on it. Over time we saw him grow new feathers on the bare patch, so I reckon it wasn't anything dangerous.
Spunky soon turned out to be just as fond of fresh bread as were the mallards, but he had the disadvantage of being smaller, so he often had to dive under or take a detour when a mallard had its eyes on the same piece of bread as he did. At other times, however, I watched him snatch up bread right under the nose of a mallard or a seagull and dive under bringing the haul with him. He'd then emerge at a safe distance and quickly swallow his bounty.
He soon got the message and would usually turn up expectantly as soon as I entered the area by the pond. Don't know if Mogens also had that effect on him or if it were merely my feminine charms, but for me he'd come over, anyway ;-))
But so would a large bunch of mallards, too, so Spunky then devised a tactics of swimming so close to the shore that he was between the group of mallards and me. At times this meant that he was so close, I had to zoom *out* in order to fit him onto a photo when using the 300mm lens.
This photo was taken on 11 of April, which is about halfway through the time Spunky was at our pond. You can still see the triangle, but new feathers are growing back. On 22 of April I went away to Germany to visit a friend, and when I returned on 26 of April, Spunky had gone. I sincerely hope he's still out there and that he managed to find himself a cosy little lady tufted duck to team up with and raise a brood with this summer. General stuff:
The Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula, is a medium-sized diving duck. It breeds widely throughout temperate and northern Eurasia, and occurs as a rare visitor in North America. It is believed to have expanded its traditional range with the increased availability of open water due to gravel extraction, and the spread of freshwater mussels, a favourite food. The population of this abundant duck is probably close to one million birds.
These birds feed mainly by diving, but they will dabble. They eat molluscs, aquatic insects and some plants. They sometimes feed at night.
Treatment: Crop, saturation +10, USM and resize.
PDP, RAP, Robbrown, ellis49, Callie, AndyB, japie, Luc has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-10-07 18:15]

Spunky is becoming famous! Beautiful capture Bente. Very sharp, very detailed and i love the water around spunky. Great note too.

The color and sharpness are very nice.Allowing one to see the true beauty of this little duck.Very nice post.

Morning bente I write this from the middle of the north sea on the way to holland.
Good to see Spunky make an appearance here, love the way he is shratching behind the ear.
good shot, the whites are very nicley detailed.

It's always a special moment when a wild animal fauvors one. He rellly does look "Spunky". Brilliant in-movement shot you captured, Bente. Clairty is top-notch. Touching and killer note you wrote too.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-10-08 9:18]

Ahaha.... simpático pato por cierto.
Excelente imagen en movimiento Bente, con una gran agudeza y detalles, incluso sobre los blancos.
Perfecto encuadre y una suave reflexion completan una muy buena entrega.
(oops.... puntos mañana)

Ahaha.... likeable duck by the way.
Excellent image in movement Bente, with a great sharpness and details, even on the whites.
Perfect frame and a smooth reflection completes a very good post.
(oops.... points tomorrow)

Beautiful capture Bente.
Good colours , nice composition and very good details.
Great note.
Good job.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2004-10-08 14:32]

Bente, He is inviting you in for a swim. I am sure it was the feminin charm and not the bread, I know that look in his eye.
This is a splendid picture, I never saw any of him as far as I can remember.
PS, I posted one of your favourite birdies.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2004-10-08 18:46]

A lovely capture.
Excellent detail and colours,great control of the whites.
A good shot,very well done.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-10-09 14:26]

I love this shot. It is as if is hopping up and down shouting "Here I am Bente! I'm glad to see you." You captured this moment excellently and the DOF and detail is excellent.

Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-01-05 17:15]

Bente, great shot. I like the eye of the animal. It is so shiny and has such a contrast with the feathers that I have the feeling it's fake, as if not belonging to the bird. Congratulations on your note too.

Very nice post I like the yellow eye, great pose as well.
Well done.
TFS.

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