|
|
|
On the Brink
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This was also taken at Lake Ontario this past weekend. This mallard seems to be contemplating whether to jump into the lake or not. I liked she was right on the edge for a long time and couldn't make up her mind.
Wikipedia says:
The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos[1]), also known as the wild duck, is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Probably the best-known of all ducks, it gave rise to most domestic ducks, apart from the Muscovy Duck.
What is dabbling? A mallard is a dabbling duck because it tips its body into the water bill first. The tail sticks right out of the water into the air. With their bills, they look for food. Mallards do eat snails, insects and small fish. But, 90% of their diet is grass seeds and other plants - including pondweeds.
It is strongly migratory in the northern parts of its breeding range, and winters farther south; it is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It also frequents Central America and the Caribbean, and has been introduced into Australia and New Zealand. It is now the most common duck in New Zealand.
The dabbling duck is 56–65 cm length, with an 81–98 cm wingspan, and weighs 750–1000 g. The breeding male is unmistakable with a green head, black rear end and a blue speculum edged with white, prominent in flight or at rest. Males also possess a yellow bill with a black tip, females dark brown. Both males and females have a blue "speculum" bordered with white on both sides. A duck's "speculum" is the back portion of its secondary feathers.
The female Mallard is light brown like most female dabbling ducks. It can be distinguished from other ducks by the distinctive speculum. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female.
I cropped the photo, increased saturation, cloned out some of the spots on the side of the ledge and the head of another duck. I also added a clear frame, resized and added a signature.
I hope you enjoy it. |
geterdone, GreenBaron has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
Hi linda, nice photo the duck not decided to bring, great color and focussing. TFS
rintile
Very nice capture of the perched duck - great composition and point of view - I like how it's on the same eye level as the duck. Great sharpness and depth of field. I really like the colours and blue tones of the water and how it's highlighted with the duck's blue speculum...
Hi Linda, nice shot of the pretty girl:) Nicely focused, showing lots of detail, vivid strong colors, good compo. It's just a good shot Linda, TFS Lyndon
Hi lInda,
Yesterday I posted a duck related picture as well. But this madam has a very thick feather coat comapred with the ducks in my 'backyard, must be cold overthere. Anyhow a very sharp picture with the mallard well composed. Lighting and contrast are fine. Superb posting!
Hans
:) No more eggs for today, but wil be back for more tomorrow....
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 166 W: 30 N: 254]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 566 W: 29 N: 158]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3193 W: 949 N: 11493]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(49013)