Of all the ducks that pass through our area I think the Bufflehead drakes are up there near the top of the prettiest. Their brilliant white against a dark iridescent sheen creates an amazingly beautiful little creature.
Again this morning I took the boat in search of wildlife images. I noted Tom’s (Wom Tigly) comment about being able to approach wildlife better when using means other than walking. The boat is an advantage. As I am no saint and certainly cannot walk on water unless it is frozen it will take me places that I cannot go otherwise. The disadvantage is that we are not many months past the close of the duck hunting seasons. All of the migratory birds are veterans. The sight of a boat means trouble for along with it comes men, shotguns, and death. The ducks know what the effective range of the shotguns are and will flush before I can approach that close.
I have been using a 400mm lens on these excursions and it is bare minimum. All shooting must be done hand-held for sitting a tripod on a rocking boat would be of no help. Even with image stabilization and an ISO of 400 many of my shots do not exhibit the degree of sharpness that I desire. Focusing is also hit-or-miss since it is nearly impossible to hold the focus point on the subject for more than a moment. With that being said I have had enough success with the boat that I will definitely try to get in a few more runs before the migratory waterfowl has passed by.
Fishing is beginning to get underway here also. I dropped a line for a little bit this morning and picked up both a perch and a bluegill in 39 deg water. The first catch of ‘08
4 comments:
Salty: Great picture of the ducks on wing. Fishing is tough this time of the year except for stocked trout.
Beautiful photo.. I think the golden eye are really pretty too.. I know what you mean about hand holding. I have a tripod but it is usually too cumbersome for what I do, I don't really get time to set up, but have been learning to use it for scenery and that milky water effect.. My husband did get me a monopod for Christmas and I am really learning to like it. Especially when out hiking, when my heart rate gets up it gets harder to hold steady, I am sure the same can be true about the boat..You should try one.. thanks for the beautiful photo again today..
A well captured shot of flight.. this is another bird for my 'look up' list...
Keep them coming Salty.. I'm really enjoying this trip you went on.. :O)
Bufflehead...I've never heard of such a duck. I love checking in to your blog, Salty. Not only great photos, ususally a cool lesson in critters as well. Thanks!
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