Sometimes it’s the water rather than the bird that makes an image.
Pacific Black Duck
There’s a lake I visit sometimes that looks amazing when the clouds, wind and sun play with the way the light hits the ripples made by the ducks as they swim, surprising quickly, across the water.
I tried to get images where the light was playing differently on the surface and affecting the colours and reflections. I think the golden light in the image above hardly looks like water.
I find it fascinating that water can look like satin fabric that’s been held by the corners, fluffed into the air and allowed to settle.
Over the past week I’ve had an awesome time out and about with the camera and am looking forward to sharing the images, as well as continuing to prepare this year’s version of the ‘mystery’ post. There is something totally magical about being able to look at birds in detail without stressing them, recently I’ve been so grateful to my camera gear that I was spotted patting it as if it was one of my dogs.
These images were taken with my Canon 5DIII. I’d hoped that a recent firmware upgrade would address the issues I have with my 7DII but it didn’t and I’ve finally sent it back to Canon and hope that I’ll be happy with it when it’s returned. In the meantime I’ll keep patting the 5DIII.
Happy birding, Kim
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Kim – I think it is both that make the image. The coloring of the duck with the silky colors of the water so compliment each other. Neither would be quite right without the other! 🙂
Thank you Sherry, now you’ve got me wondering how the images would look without ducks. Hmmm the water wouldn’t be moving without the ducks swimming through so I guess the images wouldn’t work at all!
Hi Kim,
Amazing blog as usual. I like your approach. I usually find my Pacific Black Ducks in the same water and the same positions… So it’s inspiring to see you find a way to make each photo unique.
Just lovely.
I find the same thing with the ducks Evie and was pleasantly surprised to see how different the water sometimes looks at this lake. I’d been there heaps of times without realising. Good luck finding interesting water on your next visits to ducks 🙂
Hi Kim,
Great and superb , marvellous pictures again.
Sorry for your 7DII. 🙂
Thank you Alain! Hopefully the 7DII will come good, I’ll know soon.
Truly magnificent! Beautiful ducks captured with brilliant photography on satiny water. Second photo for a competition?
I hadn’t thought of that Margot but with you and Alyssa both mentioning it maybe I will give it a go one day.
Oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my.
I have seen shot silk which didn’t look as luxurious as that water. And the duck sets it off beautifully. Thank you so much.
That’s what I thought EC 🙂
Une vraiment très jolie série avec un coup de coeur pour la première pour l’angle de prise de vue.
Très beau jeu avec le lumière sur la surface de l’eau.
Bravo et merci.
Bonne journée
I’m glad you like the images Pascale, merci beaucoup!
Lovely! The second pic is my favourite with the clear reflection. The water does look very satiny!
I love hearing about favourites, thank you!
Hi Kim, Very pretty photos, I love the ripples in water too.
I hope your 7DII returns to you in a better than new state.
Carole. 🙂
Thanks Carole! I hope the 7DII returns in better than new state too because it hasn’t been good since day one, though it has great features and feels good in the hand. I know others who are happy with theirs so I’m hopeful mine will come good.