American Black Duck

[Photobiologist]

This drake American black duck was hanging out near the wildlife drive at Mattamuskeet NWR. He had a hen right behind him for a while, and they posed togather quite nicely for a bit, but I just couldn't get the depth of field in the low light to get a good picture of them together.

Nikon D70, Nikkor 600 mm w/Sakar 2x teleconverter, f/4.0, 1/80th second, ISO 400, beanbag on truck window, full frame.

[rpk717]

Robert, this is a neat looking bird that I've never seen much less photographed. For me the background is a little cluttered but the subject makes up for it. Would loved to have seen both male and female together.

[jckegley]

Not bad from a truck window. I like it, I would like it better with less noise in the background, but I still like it.

[jckegley]

I appreciate it even more after noticing that you took it with a 2x extender on a 600mm lens.

Good job. I would not have been able keep the camera/lens shake out of the photo with such a long lens on a bean bag window mount.

[dholstein]

I have never seen an American Drake. I agree about the background. If you could of waited just a little the head would of not have blended with the background plus you probably could have cut down the distraction in the lower left hand corner making it easier to get rid of in photoshop. I am sure just getting the shot from that distance was important.

[Photobiologist]

Thanks y'all. I can clean up some of the trash/white spots on top of the water and enhance that some.

I did wait for them as long as I could. When he left this spot, he went almost straight up, and there sure wasn't enough light for a flushing shot....

[mobiek]

Good capture of the duck.