Goldeneye ducks, plus

[Craigie]

These images where taken in the last two days.
#1 and #2 are Goldeneye ducks, taken on the river Tay on a dull day. A very skittish duck and take off as soon as they spot you.
This is the first time I have manage to capture them and that was at a bit of a distance.
#5 is a Coot landing on the ice covered pond.
C&C most welcome.

1 f6.3 1/1250 ISO 2,500 FL 600mm


2 f7.1 1/1250 ISO 3,200 FL 600mm


3 f7.1 1/1000 ISO 160 FL 283mm


4 f7.1 1/800 ISO 500 FL 200mm


5 f7.1 1/1000 ISO 640 FL 531mm


6 f7.1 1/800 ISO 500 FL 600mm

[Shadowman]

Nice ones, #5 stands out as a gem.

[Craigie]

Nice ones, #5 stands out as a gem.

Thanks for veiwing and commenting, John.

[Wavelength]

Superb images

[bnnrcn]

That 5th image is so lovely and makes me smile

[Wavelength]

yes, #5 is funny; i remembered some Indian folk dance

[NorthernFocus]

We get a lot of golden eyes in the spring. When they have love on their minds it's possible to get a little closer. Or to sit still and have them come closer to you.

The shot of the coot is cool. You may want to try a crop by pulling down the upper left corner to eliminate the white OOF bird and place the coot such that it is moving into the frame rather than out of it.

The swan might have appreciated a little more headroom. We spend so much time/effort trying to get close to birds that when we finally succeed there is a tendency to literally fill the frame with bird. Sometimes less is more. The rule of thirds can be a good guide. In a shot like this placing the bird's eye on the upper third line or, at most, centered in the upper third usually produces a pleasing result.

[madcrow]

Great series. Awesome capture of ducks in flight, that some work. For skill alone, for me, #1,2.

[Geoff F]

Good shots of difficult subjects.

Exposure is working well although I would be thinking about a bit of crop/clone to remove some of the bright out of focus background birds and a few small bright spots.

#4 has good wing position but you were unlucky to miss out on seeing its eye.

[Craigie]

Superb images

Thanks Nandakumar.

[Craigie]

That 5th image is so lovely and makes me smile

Thanks Binnur, I am pleased it made you smile.

[Craigie]

We get a lot of golden eyes in the spring. When they have love on their minds it's possible to get a little closer. Or to sit still and have them come closer to you.

The shot of the coot is cool. You may want to try a crop by pulling down the upper left corner to eliminate the white OOF bird and place the coot such that it is moving into the frame rather than out of it.

The swan might have appreciated a little more headroom. We spend so much time/effort trying to get close to birds that when we finally succeed there is a tendency to literally fill the frame with bird. Sometimes less is more. The rule of thirds can be a good guide. In a shot like this placing the bird's eye on the upper third line or, at most, centered in the upper third usually produces a pleasing result.

Thanks Dan for your comments and critique, as always it is appreciated.
There does not seem to many Goldeneye ducks on that stretch of the River Tay.
Below is the alternative crop you suggested, which is a better image.


With regards to the swan shot, I have to agree you are correct.
Just got carried away with getting so close.

[Craigie]

Great series. Awesome capture of ducks in flight, that some work. For skill alone, for me, #1,2.

Thanks Maurice your input is always appreciated.

[Craigie]

Good shots of difficult subjects.

Exposure is working well although I would be thinking about a bit of crop/clone to remove some of the bright out of focus background birds and a few small bright spots.

#4 has good wing position but you were unlucky to miss out on seeing its eye.

Thanks very much, Jeff your positive comments and critique.