A Painted Turtle looks on as pair of Mallard Drakes take flight
I must confess I did not notice the little turtle until I reviewed this capture, as my attention was riveted upon the beautiful Mallards.
As I rounded a bend in the lake shoreline the Mallards watched me intently. Once I had the camera setting readied I began closing the distance as usual running the boat at very slow speed waiting for the moment they exploded into flight.
When shooting take-off shots, it is always a difficult call as to the best combination of aperture and shutter speed. In many cases I find myself fighting for enough light but that was not the case here as the bright sun was at a high angle. I used a 1/500 sec. shutter for this shot which gave a sharp image of the duck’s bodies while still allowing a pleasing amount of motion blur on the wings.
You caught them in motion so well, the wing tips are fine and it's great to see the feathers spead out like fingers. The water is still in the air wich gives an insight at how fast these Mallard are at take off.
ReplyDeleteA stunning 'Country Capture' Salty
Nice shot, Salty. It is hard to catch things like this but if you have a burst mode it is easier to do. I also don't see half of the things in my pictures until I get them in the computer. In fact, that's how I chose the picture I posted today of the underside of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak's wings.
ReplyDeleteSalty: I really enjoyed your Mallards today and the turtle is a bonus.
ReplyDeleteUnexpected surprises are always the best ones.. great action shot salty..
ReplyDeleteI love the flare of the mallard's wing-tips. Beautifully caught action. Great lighting.
ReplyDeleteWell done Salty, caught well.
ReplyDeletePop over to see my Q post and the Bluebells.
Male mallards are one of my favorite birds. I'm learning the hard way about fast shutter speed without enough light...lots of blurry images.
ReplyDeleteUnlike the mallards, that turtle seems unflappable.
ReplyDelete