It’s “only” a duck but she’s a pretty little duck.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed her six days ago at a pond near my home when she unexpectedly swam in close to me for a few seconds and I think she’s subtly beautiful. In this photo I like the nice light on her entire body, excellent detail, the low angle on the bird and direct eye contact. Here we see the uniquely peaked and angular profile of the short crest on her head that is unlike that of any other North American duck.
While I was processing the image something about her eye caught my attention.
She has three catch lights in her eye. The larger round one at the center of the iris is a direct reflection of the sun which was low in the sky so it was very close to the eye’s midline. The longer one beneath it is a reflection of the sun off the water and the catch light at the corner of the eye is probably another direct reflection of the sun. Double catch lights occur fairly often when birds are on or near water but I don’t get three of them very often. A few times I’ve even had four.
Sometimes multiple catch lights can be distracting but they’re usually natural so I prefer not to remove any of them. In this case they didn’t bother me one bit.
Ron
I agree on the beauty. What never fails for me is the architecture of the feathers, the variety, the fold and tuck of the small individual parts, and then of the larger groupings. They are a work of art in themselves as you study the patterns on backs, necks, heads, bills, and how each blends to the other. It is truly masterful just to look at that alone. Nice work.
I’m personally a BIG fan of subtle beauty! In my world, that’s far more spectacular in its way. 🙂
🙂
Ron, your duck is absolutely adorable. I wish I could pet it! The feathers are so neatly manicured and look like they were combed.
Thank you for such a delightful photo.
Thank you, Alice.
Very lovely duck. I like the catch light, it looks like a rising or setting sunset.
The sun was actually fairly close to setting when the image was taken, April.
It’s like she has a setting sun in her eye. She I is very pretty.
So subtly beautiful I love the detail and the sharpness of this photo.
Thanks, Joanne.
Like Dick, I was knocked out by the gorgeous feather detail— ALL KINDS OF BEAUTY !!
Thank you, Kris.
Gorgeous and subtle. I thank you for the ID tip. Very helpful.
You’re welcome, Sallie. Thanks.
That is one cute duck!!! I love her smile…(and her invisible neck ring)…I’m calling her a Ringed Bill duck…I can see the one around her bill….or maybe the Invisible Neck Ringed duck…that works, too.
I’m thinking a name change for this species is right around the corner, Patty. There’s been quite a bit of buzz about in the last couple of years.
She is indeed a “pretty little Duck” but where is her handsome mate??? The catch lights are amazing, thank you for this post today Ron!
I didn’t notice a male on the pond that day, Shirley – though he could have been there.
Fine shot. Ringnecks are a great example of ornithologists naming birds – the neck ring is best seen in stretched out dead specimens. Why is was not named Ring-billed for an easily seen feature is beyond me.
I agree, Thomas. I’ve been hoping they’d make that name change for a long time now.
No “onlies!” 😉 She is lovely and looks quite content. It almost looks like she’s smiling. The detail is wonderful and I like her little splayed tail feathers.
I spent a fabulous half hour yesterday watching seagulls bathe in a pond. I don’t ever recall seeing them bathe before and it was fascinating to observe their flutterings and gyrations.
They had an effective method for “wind assist” to their post-bath preening: turning about 30 degrees to allow the wind to pick up some of the feathers for easier access. A couple even roused during active flight — talk about multitasking! 🙂
I’m so grateful to you, Ron, for inspiring me to tune in more to birds and their behaviors. 🙂
Yup, bird behaviors are fascinating. Sounds like you now have the bug too, Marty. I can’t see how it can be anything but contagious…
Can ducks have sweet faces? In my opinion this one does. So much beautiful detail captured in this bird. .
“Can ducks have sweet faces?”
Apparently they can, Ann. 🙂
Wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Just beautiful!
Thank you, Pam.
Absolutely beautiful – the whole duck and the feather detail on the close-up is superb.
Thanks, Dick. I think the good detail on the duck is perhaps the biggest strength of the image.
Great photo Ron. It is interesting how the light reflected in the eye can tell us a lot about the image. I heard they are thinking about renaming this species to “Ring-Billed Duck”. I am all for it since every time I look at one through my binoculars or camera I mutter to myself about “what a stupid name… grrr..” — perhaps I need to reread “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” 🙂
That name bothers me too, Ed and I’ve heard the same thing about the push to change it to Ring-billed Duck.
And yes, the position of the catch light on the iris is a good indicator of the position of the sun when the photo was taken. It also explains why catch lights are so difficult to get at mid-day – especially in raptors with their overhanging brow ridge.
She is a beautiful bird and you certainly caught a lot of detail – feathers/triple catch lights/crest/white ring/mark on her beak! 🙂 The subtle colors are wonderful and one would never notice the contrasts in shape/color of the feathers at a distance. You know it’s cold when the pheasants are in the trees! -18 before windchill yesterday morning with about 10″ of snow on the ground.
Thanks, Judy. Yes, I’ve noticed that pheasants like to be in trees especially on very cold mornings as they try to warm up in the rising sun. I wish we had some of your snow!
Light fluffy stuff so don’t know how much good it will do………….