Gadwall duck

[Tom Barry]

At least I think so. I've heard that gadwalls sometimes breed with mallards or other similar ducks. On Lady Bird Lake, Austin:
IMG_2686_DxO by tombarry975, on Flickr

[Cantab]

Tom, I enjoyed the photo. One thought is whether it's possible to darken the reflections in the water as they are trying to draw attention from the duck.

Were you using a high powered telephoto or were you fortunate enough that the duck simply paddled past you?

I don't recall seeing a gadwall but I believe you're correct that they sometimes breed with mallards -- on the other hand, I could be wrong!

[Tom Barry]

Thanks much. I was using a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L on a 70D, plus polarizing filter + fill flash (sun was backlighting the duck) at a relatively short distance. I liked the pattern of the reflections and didn't think they detracted very much from the main subject. Here's another shot (taken with the 70-300mm zoom) of maybe the same gadwall (there were several) from a different angle with a different quality of light on the water:
Gadwall (I think) by tombarry975, on Flickr

[AlwaysOnAuto]

First shot has me squinting because of the reflections off the water, second shot is great!

[Cantab]

The second photo works very well.

[Shadowman]

That's what you'd call and odd duck, nicely seen and captured.

[JBW]

First shot has me squinting because of the reflections off the water, second shot is great!

or is it just ever so sligh5tly out of focus? Agreed the second shot is very good.

[JohnRostron]

At least I think so. I've heard that gadwalls sometimes breed with mallards or other similar ducks. On Lady Bird Lake, Austin:

I have always felt that Gadwall are a most nondescript duck, especially the females. The only really distinguishing feature is the black patch under the tail which shows quite well in your photo.

I do prefer the second photo; I agree that the reflections in the first are distracting.

John