Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I have seen lots of Ring-necked Ducks but have never seen the actual ring. At Reifel Bird Sanctuary there were quite a few and I was able to get a photo of one and actually see the ring. Just a first for me.
Specific Feedback
Any feed back is appreciated.
Technical Details
Om-1 Mark ll, Zuiko 50-200 with 1.4 extender, f/4.0, 1/1000 sec, 230 mm, ISO 400
LR. I did enhance the ring just slightly.
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A very nice image with good detail, tonalities and color, very interesting water and a lovely reflection. I would consider cropping the top to remove the darker areas in the water.
I have a few pictures of these that someone has ID’d for me and always wondered about the name (or the ID) as I’ve never been able to distinguish a ring, either. Good to know there is one in there somewhere.
Charlie:
This looks like an adult breeding male. I found it in the Sibley guide. According to the picture, breeding plumage is October through June. So if you were there recently, you have a pretty good chance of being right about the ID. I’m not sure where in British Columbia this wildlife reserve is located. And I’d be curious to know why you were up there unless you live in that neck of the woods.
With respect to the image, I agree that the water is very nice with swirling patterns. I also agree with Diane that cropping off the top of the image would be better. Nice job.
Seeing that ring is so unusual in this species is so unusual that it makes this image, Charlie. I do wish the duck had been more parallel to the focal plane, but detail still looks good. The water is fabulous, and I think I would have spent quite a few electrons just photographing it.
I agree about cropping out the dark areas at the top of the image. I wish that the duck gave you a nice head turn, but ducks are always ducking out of getting the best pose 
. The techs are perfect and you got the ring. Well done…Jim
Reifel Bird Sanctuary is near Delta, BC which is south of Vancouver. I live in Bellingham, WA so it takes a little over an hour for me to get there, depending on the time at the border.
Actually, I was so taken with the ring that I didn’t think to much about the rest. I will definitely go back and maybe find one with his neck up an pointing more towards me than away.
Frankly, I did not see the ring until it was on my computer.
Charlie
I know Bellingham quite well. And I live in Olympia.
My son and his family live there. He went to school at western.
He and his wife own and operate Paws for a Beer in Fairhaven. I have 2 grandchildren who live with their parents.
But I have not been up there in a while.
I have Parkinson’s and cannot drive anymore.
David
Dave,
Sorry to hear about your Parkinson’s.
We are familiar with Paws but, at this time we are dogless. Probably that will change in the not too near future. We have always had dogs but had to put our Terrier down about a year ago.
If you do get up to Bellingham, we should get together. I would be happy to drive you up to Reifel and spend time there with you. I am 89 and healthy. I don’t hike as much as I used to. Flat feet make it uncomfortable. I can still make it a couple of miles or so. Anyway, let me know if your planning to be in the area. At least we can have a brew at Paws.
Charlie
| David Schoen
December 5 |
Charlie
I know Bellingham quite well. And I live in Olympia.
My son and his family live there. He went to school at western.
He and his wife own and operate Paws for a Beer in Fairhaven. I have 2 grandchildren who live with their parents.
But I have not been up there in a while.
I have Parkinson’s and cannot drive anymore.
David
Charlie
Thanks for the offer to take me up to the refuge.
Unfortunately, I cannot travel that far because of the Parkinson’s and some of the associated issues.
I have dystonia in my hamstrings and it is very painful for me to sit down. I had deep brain stimulation, surgery, which is one of the few treatments that will eventually allow me to return to a more normal life. But it’s gonna take at least another nine months or so before I’m ready. And there is no guarantee that the surgery will allow me to travel. I go to Seattle to the University of Washington for much of my treatment because it is so specialized. But I’m positive that it will eventually work.
I’m 76 and I am generally healthy other than the Parkinson’s and its associated problems. But it is neuro degenerative and there’s no way to know what will happen in the future.
Thanks for your understanding.
David Schoen
