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Mallard season is open! ;)


Mallard season is open! ;)
Photo Information
Copyright: Pieter van der Horst (sAner) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma AF 100-300/f4.0 EX APO
Exposure: f/4, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Europe [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-04-01 8:43
Viewed: 1329
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Of course the title is meant in a sarcastic way! I know many of you are sick 'n tired of Mallard posts! But still ... I like Mallards! :)

This is the first photo I post on TN which I took with my new Sigma lens. I never used a lens longer than 210 mmm and this one is 480 (when you take the factor 1.6 into consideration) and I have to get used to it (have to get rid of my shaky hands ...;)), but I think I did reasonably well on this first shot. What do you think? Hit me hard! I need to learn!

focal length: 300mm
shutter speed: 1/800
f-stop: f/4

Info on Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard)-

The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a common and widespread dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe and Asia. It also frequents Central America and the Caribbean. It is probably the best-known of all ducks.

This 56-65 cm length dabbling duck is strongly migratory in the northern parts of its breeding range, and winters farther south. It is highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks.

The breeding male is unmistakable, with a green head, black rear end and a blue speculum edged with white, obvious in flight or at rest.

The females are light brown, with plumage much like most female dabbling ducks. They can be distinguished from other ducks, by the distinctive speculum.

In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female.

It is a bird of most wetlands, including parks, small ponds and rivers, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing. It nests usually on a river bank, but not always particularly near water.

This is a noisy species. The male has a nasal call, whereas the female has the very familiar "quack" always associated with ducks.

Mallards frequently interbreed with the American Black Duck, Northern Pintail and domesticated species, leading to various hybrids.

info taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anas_platyrhynchos
marhowie, NitzanCK, red45, dew77, Comandante, liquidsunshine, elroyie, scottevers7, mrower, Luc, Runnerduck has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To liquidsunshine: Didn't use a fishingline ...sAner 1 04-01 12:15
To ellis49: Thanks again Gert!sAner 1 04-01 11:00
To marhowie: no tripodsAner 1 04-01 10:47
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Critiques [Translate]

I have 100-300mm Canon lens on my EOS Elan. It's a great lens to work with. As you become more familiar with it, you'll want to jump to a super tele, trust me. :) :)
Excelent work and well done on this one. The water drops are a bonus to this scene.

Mike

I love mallards too :-) But I'm a little tired to watch few photos of mallards day by day :-)
But your picture is superb and funny :-) Good job.

Very nice Pieter.
Congrats to your new great lens.
Very good and funny pose, very good colours and details.
I like the water drops splashing around.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-04-01 10:40]

I like mallards too Pieter please do not hesitate to post. Yours is a very good action shot! I liked the water drops ;)
Well done and thanks for sharing

Nice action shot!
Good captured moment!
Mallards are most photogenic animals and darling of natur photographers.
Good job!

Nicely captured shot Pieter,
A well taken shot with your new lens. well timed, good action.
Did you clone out the fishing line!!!
Thanks for posting

Very good performance, you did well with 300mm focal length, you have a great lens one of the best in this range!
If you are not steady enough I suggest you use a monopod, it will help you a lot when you get use to it, it is practical solution for walk around gear.

A great stop action shot on this Mallard. Excellent color and detail. The stopped droplets in mid-air are great. No your average duck post, much bettet.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-04-01 21:47]

Pieter, very nice action shot. To me, rather funny, and that's great.

These animals are very beautifu; I've never seen one of them; nice job.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-04-02 5:25]

Bonne prise de vitesse car la tête bouge très rapidement quant il fait ce mouvement.

Félicitations et bonne journée.

Pieter, Nice action shot with the water drops-a-flying always an added bonus..Did you tripod? Also, I find that you will have the most success with this type of shot shooting at the brightest time of day, clear/sunny for the needed shutter-speed. Well done and I know you will become VERY friendly with your new 350D in the days ahead!

I didn't know that the mallard season started in spring.
I will try shooting some :-)))))

Good shot, but underexposed.
Well caught.
TFS.

You did a great job. I'd be proud to have taken it. It is such a pleasant change from the usual duck sitting on the water shot- not that these aren't nice too. This guy has character and the water droplets are beautiful.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-04-02 14:12]

Argh!!!
;-))))

Points tomorrow!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-04-02 20:54]

;-)
Personal assessment of the photo: great.
Good visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thanks Pieter.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-04-04 7:32]

Belle et intéressante composition photographique pour ce superbe canard. La pose et les petites gouutes sont sympas. Jolies couleurs et bonne netteté.
Well done.

I can't believe I missed this handsome chap!
A great capture Pieter, the water droplets are fantastic.
Well done and thanks for sharing.

-No pts, will update later-

Great POV and I love the spraying water droplets, Pieter! I have always enjoyed the brilliant green heads of the mallards.

Ah, the ONLY way to shoot a mallard. Love the water droplets. Good start with the new lens!

Witaj Pieter!
Beautiful dynamic drake. Excellent frame. Natural colours.
I congratulate and greet - Roma

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