local duck ...today

in a local pond

I think he too loves the indian summer weather we are getting at the moment

Very nice shots, stands out well against the dark water.

Lovely mallard shots Marie, the dark water background works well.

Lovely captures Marie.

Beautiful shots Marie they really do stand out, spot on sharp just wonderful. I'm glad you've got indian summer we've got freeze your butt off fall.

Dear Marie, the framing and concept is "vintage Marie".
However, out of regard for your artistry, I owe you a critique too, not just a reflex "nice shot".
To me it looks like you used the speedflash which has rendered the creatures an bit "flat" and "lifeless". Particularly in the first one you have somehow lost the detail/clarity too.
I remain your obedient servant and admirer,
Peter

thank you all very much Pete and Dennis and Reyno


sorry to hear about about the cold there Sandy


Frank mentioned the snow in a post yesterday

here today it is hot and sunny
'out in the garden' ......... sunbathing weather
(it is , honest)

(for the moment)


thanks

thank you Petkal
I thought I did use flash
but the exif says 'no flash' used and I don't understand that (yet)
maybe thats speedflash ?
I saw no flash firing at the time but I put it to 'flash' and it popped up
it was late afternoon and there was not a lot of light around where the ducks were swimming
I was using the 300D
I also thought I used manual mode and had the lens tuned in to manual but I think thats why some of my other pictures are looking a bit soft
(a bench shot I took) , the camera may be in P or auto
and I had thought it was in manual, and the lens set differently

I am not sure yet (have to read up more) if the lens is affected if it is set to manual and the camera to P and other modes other then auto
(which the lens has a setting for)
am trying to operate the new lens properly using manual and other settings , making sure the lens is adjusted to same
but it's not happening everytime , so I am doing something wrong
some shots say manual everything (in the exif) , others don't , and I don't remember changing settings for that to happen

thanks a lot for your concern
I know what you mean in ways. the natural light would be much better anyway , however it was late afternoon and getting dusky just then
and the ducks needed more light to show up any detail at all
(I also used a polaroid filter on the lens which would darken things slightly but got the water nice )
I thought the detail came out well (# 2 )
but using the flash may be a little too harsh for the bird.
am wondering why 'flash' did not show up in the exif