Couple From The Duck Pond

[SCraig]

Actually it's a lake but "Duck Lake" didn't sound right

Hen Mallard - Mallards are by far the most common species of duck we have in this area. Find a pond or lake or just a big puddle and odds are there is a Mallard there somewhere.

Drake Greater Scaup - There are two species of Scaup, Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup, differing primarily in their size. I also read that the drake Greater Scaup has a greenish tint to their heads whereas the drake Lesser Scaup has a purplish tint, so I'm pretty sure this is a Greater Scaup.

 

[ceeboy14]

Could be "Duck Soup," tis the right time of the year....

 

[Radical]

I love the drake.

 

[pixmedic]

 

[Mayo]

Great photos.. Just how are you getting these Crystal clear shots? Could my d3100 do this?

 

[David8]

Don't mean to hijack your thread, I hope you don't mind. These three were taken with my D3100, so to answer your question Mayo, absolutely! Shame about me cutting off the wing of the second duck...

 

[SCraig]

Regarding Pixmedic's Duck Song, I feel like I just wasted 3:12 of my life ;( The guy could have at least smacked the duck or something. OK, so it was cute :mrgreen:

 

[SCraig]

Could be "Duck Soup," tis the right time of the year....

Haven't seen that movie in years!

 

[SCraig]

I love the drake.

Thanks, he is a pretty one.

I've got a bunch of shots of the Scaups there but they are normally well out into the lake. Today there were some near the bank so I was able to get some decent shots. There were also a couple of Canvasbacks there today, first time I've seen any of them there, but naturally THEY were well out into the lake

 

[SCraig]

Great photos.. Just how are you getting these Crystal clear shots? Could my d3100 do this?

Thanks, glad you like them.

The D3100 should certainly be capable of that type of shot. Both were shot with a 500mm lens, however I have a lot of duck shots taken with a lot shorter lens on a much less capable camera that are probably just as good.

The trick is not so much the equipment but getting the birds to help you out. You have to get close unless you have a lot of lens, and sometimes even when you do. That means being patient and waiting for them to come to you because if you try and go to them they will just fly away. Birds and wildlife are difficult subjects to shoot well because they will not cooperate in any way most of the time. Throw out a little food and sometimes they will get closer, other times not.

 

[SCraig]

Don't mean to hijack your thread, I hope you don't mind. These three were taken with my D3100, so to answer your question Mayo, absolutely! Shame about me cutting off the wing of the second duck...

Nope, I don't mind at all. Hope it helps him out.

 

[Mayo]

Yeah.. Thanks. I only have the 18-55mm kit lens so I believe when it is time for an upgrade ill start seeing sharper images.. But first gotta learn the equipment I have.

 

[David8]

Yeah.. Thanks. I only have the 18-55mm kit lens so I believe when it is time for an upgrade ill start seeing sharper images.. But first gotta learn the equipment I have.

Don't discount that lens completely. We got some reasonable photos of some ducka that came right up close to us with our 18-55mm lens. Go an give it a go! What harm can be done?

 

[SCraig]

Yeah.. Thanks. I only have the 18-55mm kit lens so I believe when it is time for an upgrade ill start seeing sharper images.. But first gotta learn the equipment I have.

Don't discount that lens completely. We got some reasonable photos of some ducka that came right up close to us with our 18-55mm lens. Go an give it a go! What harm can be done?

The 18-55 is actually a pretty decent lens that is capable of some very good shots. It's certainly not a good choice for birds due to the short focal length, but if you can get close enough it will do a good job for you.

 

[Compaq]

waddle waddle