Hooded Merganser

[Mick Johnson]

This is quite a rare duck but there is a pair of these on the JCB lake at Rocester.

I like the water as much as the duck.

[Stephen]

Re: Hooded Merganser

This is quite a rare duck but there is a pair of these on the JCB lake at Rocester.

I like the water as much as the duck.

Yes I'd agree with you Mick, the horizontal ripples in the water really do enhance the photo. Lovely bird as well, with exposure spot on

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Hooded Merganser

Thank's Stephen.....maybe I should clone the Duck out..

[Barr1e]

Re: Hooded Merganser

I think Stephen has covered the comments I would have made.

Terrific pic.

Regards. Barr1e

[jojo]

Re: Hooded Merganser

Perfect DoF for subject and background. Duck great but water makes the shot. Nice one.

jo

[Pol]

Re: Hooded Merganser

This is quite a rare duck but there is a pair of these on the JCB lake at Rocester.

I like the water as much as the duck.

He's a cute little fella (or is he a she) and you have a super picci there too. Perfect crest, perfect water, lovely composition.

Did you set up with something like the 100mm 2.8 and wait for what you wanted or was it one of those rare photo opportunity grab shots where everything just came together on the spur of the moment?

Pol

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Hooded Merganser

Hi Pol, and thank's.

You have a good memory with me and the 100mm lens....

I sometimes go to a nearby pool at JCB headquarters in Rocester if I want to take a load of pic's as there's so many ducks, gulls etc. They are fed daily and go mad if you have bread or even a bag of any sort. I've been today and while I was getting my gear out the car a Black swan was pulling at my trousers.

This Merganser is the male although there is a pair on the pool and even these now take bread.....they are supposed to be fish eaters. I believe they are quite rare birds in most parts.

[Pol]

Re: Hooded Merganser

Hi Pol, and thank's.

You have a good memory with me and the 100mm lens....

I sometimes go to a nearby pool at JCB headquarters in Rocester if I want to take a load of pic's as there's so many ducks, gulls etc. They are fed daily and go mad if you have bread or even a bag of any sort. I've been today and while I was getting my gear out the car a Black swan was pulling at my trousers.

This Merganser is the male although there is a pair on the pool and even these now take bread.....they are supposed to be fish eaters. I believe they are quite rare birds in most parts.

That sounds like a fun place, though I'm not sure I'd want a Black swan that close to my legs.

I most certainly do remember your 100mm technique and I even went so far as to set about trying it for myself last year. I didn't manage to get anything interesting though, I was only trying out some off-camera flash as well as testing out a long cable release 'Gert' had managed to find for me.

I'd mentioned it here in DPN actually and I'd also taken a snapshot to show what I'd been babbling on about (also mentioned your name at the time). Here's the snapshot I'd uploadeed to my gallery - not very good but it shows the general idea. I'll have to have another go at it next year.



Pol

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Hooded Merganser

Next time I do this sort of thing I'll take a pic of the setup.

I only use the Macro lens for birds in flight so I can sit back about 8-10 yards and have half a chance of getting them in the frame. So far I've mainly used it on Kingfishers, Swallows, Sand Martins and Redstarts, and a few more.

In the garden I use a hide with the lens on a beanbag, or, tripod with a gimbal type head.

Look forward to seeing your pic's.

[roentarre]

Re: Hooded Merganser

That simply looks stunning in deed!

I love the plumage of the bird

[Pol]

Re: Hooded Merganser

Next time I do this sort of thing I'll take a pic of the setup.

I only use the Macro lens for birds in flight so I can sit back about 8-10 yards and have half a chance of getting them in the frame. So far I've mainly used it on Kingfishers, Swallows, Sand Martins and Redstarts, and a few more.

In the garden I use a hide with the lens on a beanbag, or, tripod with a gimbal type head.

Look forward to seeing your pic's.

Thanks. I'd be very interested to have a look at that.

I'd been after freezing open wings using a small aperture to get good detail. I didn't have much success with the above set up. I managed to do marginally better handholding with a small aperture and a flash extender.

I rarely use the longer/heavier lenses now after I managed to injure my Ulnar nerve (left arm) about 18 months ago and ended up with a useless arm for a while. I must admit to being tempted by the new Pentax 60-250 f/4 though.

This is the only one I managed to get with acceptably clear open wings - though there's still a lot of room for improvement!



Pol

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Hooded Merganser

A superb photo! The contrast of the B&W plumage is amazing! Thats quite a hood or crest he has there! Have you got any more shots of this waterfowl? I'd love to see more of what looks like a fold or something of his hood around the neck! Looks almost like the hood of a track suit top...very athletic!!

[Pol]

Re: Hooded Merganser

A superb photo! The contrast of the B&W plumage is amazing! Thats quite a hood or crest he has there! Have you got any more shots of this waterfowl? I'd love to see more of what looks like a fold or something of his hood around the neck! Looks almost like the hood of a track suit top...very athletic!!

Jocelyn, I don't think Mick will mind me posting a link to his website. There's at least one more shot of the Hooded Merganser in his Bird Gallery, amongst loads of other stunning shots.

Here's the link

http://www.mickjohnson.org.uk/

Pol

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Hooded Merganser

That look's nice and sharp Pol.

If you've got it setup right it will always freeze any wing movement no matter how fast.

Not sure with Pentax as I have canon, but, basically it's body on 'manual' flash on 'auto or manual' both work, smallish aperture. and max sync speed of body. Also place gun as close as possible. All flashguns have a minimum distance when used on auto, think mine is about 2 ft.

One thing though, it must be a dull day. Any sign of sun and you will get weird double images because of the flash exposure and then the ambient light creeping in for the rest of the exposure.

If I was using only one gun I'd try placing it slightly above the bird but in line with camera and subject. In other words where the sun would be I suppose. You won't get rid of all shadows though with one gun. I find two is a minimum and normally use three, two on bird and one on background as on a dull day it will be very dark depending on aperture.

I could go on and on with this but you may get bored so I'll stop now.

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Hooded Merganser

A superb photo! The contrast of the B&W plumage is amazing! Thats quite a hood or crest he has there! Have you got any more shots of this waterfowl? I'd love to see more of what looks like a fold or something of his hood around the neck! Looks almost like the hood of a track suit top...very athletic!!

Thank's, I think it's just his wings you are on about. Does look a bit different now you say but it's just the unusual angle, I think.