Northern Shovelers, Bufflehead, Green Winged Teals...

Sorry for the lack of quality as I was focal length limited so lots of heavy cropping.

Buffleheads (first time I have spotted these interesting looking ducks)

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I'm struggling with the crooked horizons in these. Also, the colors look strange - maybe it happened when you uploaded these to POTN? In the 3rd shot, the ducks almost look like they were cut and pasted from somewhere else. Some of the whites are blown out.

The flying egret looks great, so does the harrier.

Yes, definitely need to straighten them and as you said, closer. Where are these, Jason; would love to get a bufflehead. I'm at Port A.

very good, love the BIF you got.

5Dmaniac wrote in post #13747212
I'm struggling with the crooked horizons in these. Also, the colors look strange - maybe it happened when you uploaded these to POTN? In the 3rd shot, the ducks almost look like they were cut and pasted from somewhere else. Some of the whites are blown out.

The flying egret looks great, so does the harrier.

Actually the harrier is straight. That was a hill and not a horizon so straightening it would not be an accurate representation of what I saw. For the others, editing at 3am when one can't sleep doesn't equal consistency Lightroom doesn't show any highlights blown BTW. It is more they were so far away that any fine detail in white feathers couldn't be resolved.

The in flight teals where the horizon is crooked is just a screw up on my part.

BTW, These were at the LLELA http://binged.it/ylaA5​f

I'm sympathetic, Jason. The few ducks we get are able to stay far away, so close shots are rare. When shooting birds in flight, I am less concerned about the horizon. You should be pleased to get such a variety and make good ID shots with limited reach.

Man, that place looks good to me!
Nice shots!
I knew immediately that the harrier was either a hill, or a levee, I have shots that are really similar. heheh

Thank you for sharing that place with us, although I am aware of it, I haven't been yet, but have been meaning to go sometime.
If you want close-up shots of Buffleheads, I know that White Rock Lake is easier to get close to them, on the West side over by the old boathouse they're there. About 20 feet away from the shore too, if not less, at least the last time I was there a photographer I know was out there shooting them, I was at the road watching.

Good job on all that you shot though!

Randy

How far is the walk from where you park, to where this was?
Was it crowded there when you went?

It appears that you had a pretty good walk there, if I'm not mistaken, well, as far as where the 'pointer' was on the map.
I bet that place is cool in the Summer months with all of the lily pads, well, providing it has water. heheh

I am really interested in that place, at least try it out and see what they have their.

Pretty good shot to have Ring-Necks AND A male and female Bufflehead!

Thanks!

Randy

Probably a quarter or half mile. Easy walk and I was the only one there. They are only open Friday, Saturday, Sunday. PM me and we can meet up. They have several osprey that aren't too shy as well.

PM sent!

Randy

I am no expert but I am not so sure that some of the water shots are tilted. I see the ducks appear to swim down hill but the reeds appear to be straight up. I have had similar issues when shooting at angles to the prevailing weed line. Can be funky when the wind creates waves that are running counter to the angle of view. Looks like an awesome place to shoot.