Long-tailed Duck

[Alan Murphy]

Long-tailed Duck

Barrow, Alaska

D3, 600, ISO 800, f6.3, 1/3200.

Love these guys in breeding plumage.

[Doug Brown]

Probably my favorite flight shot of yours (except maybe the Painted Bunting :S3:). Exceptional flight image! Peak action, great eye contact, and a perfect exposure. Love the curl in the tail feathers too. I've not seen this species in breeding plumage before.

[Craig Clute]

An absolutely amazing image Alan! Images like this remind me of what is possible... Nice work!

[Luis Villablanca]

This is an amazing image, Alan! The wing position, proximity to the water and detail presented are outstanding.
When I was in Nome, I could not get close to Long-tailed Ducks for a good shot.
Would you mind sharing some details on how you made the image?

[gail bisson]

I love the breeding plumage. We have lots of long tails in NS but only in winter. I love the purple and the eye. I like how low he is flying to the water and the curled wingtip.Love the wing position. Lovely!:cheers:
Gail
PS Thanks for the info Alan.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Alan,

Very nice! I love the view of the near wing. The bird being slightly angled toward the viewer helps create and engagement for me. Great colors and composition. Well done. Thanks for sharing this lovely image.

[Clemens Vanderwerf]

Gorgeous image, and great colors on the wing. Nice bkgd and water ripples. The only thing I could think of is a bit more space in front, but he, it is perfect enough already.

[Joe Senzatimore]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!:cheers:

[Tom Rambaut]

One of the best flying duck images I've seen - stunning plumage.

[Arthur Morris]

Pose and SH beyond incredible. I have seen and photographed this duck a bunch; your image seems to have a magenta cast to the BLACKs. Detail in the near upper wing is insane.

How many frames of this single fly by?

[Brendan Dozier]

Wow, this is just awesome, Alan! Love the low flight path, wonderful detail, and water texture really make for great composition. Well done! :cheers:

[Alan Murphy]

Pose and SH beyond incredible. I have seen and photographed this duck a bunch; your image seems to have a magenta cast to the BLACKs. Detail in the near upper wing is insane.

How many frames of this single fly by?

I see the magenta, thanks. I kept 11 frames from this flight pass, with 6 being as sharp as the one I posted.

[Alan Murphy]

This is an amazing image, Alan! The wing position, proximity to the water and detail presented are outstanding.
When I was in Nome, I could not get close to Long-tailed Ducks for a good shot.
Would you mind sharing some details on how you made the image?

Hey again Luis. They are very responsive to playback. Thanks.

[Luis Villablanca]

Hey again Luis. They are very responsive to playback. Thanks.
Thanks for the hint, Alan.

[Arthur Morris]

I see the magenta, thanks. I kept 11 frames from this flight pass, with 6 being as sharp as the one I posted.

Thanks Alan. How many frames in all from the single pass?

[Alan Murphy]

Thanks Alan. How many frames in all from the single pass?

16 frames.

[Arthur Morris]

16 frames.

Thanks and wow. That should open a few eyes. In a similar situation I would get off 2 or 3 at most...

[Karl Egressy]

Amazing flight shot, Alan.
Love the closeness to the water, wing position and most of all the beautiful breeding plumage that you never see here.

[Kiran Poonacha]

great angle and pose captured well here Alan... very nicely done..

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Just a phenomenal frame, Alan. Echo all the positive comments above. Probably the best duck in flight image I've ever seen.
Do you ever miss?

[Ishmeet Sahni]

Alan, this image is just amazing, the small drops of water, the wing position, the skimming just over the water..........
I don't think I have liked a flight shot better.....

[Tommy Rodgers]

Alan, not much else to say except "Great Job." I am gong to put this next to my computer to remind me what I am working for. Thanks for sharing.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Amazing. Your usual great techs with amazing detail bu ti especially love the lines and super curves in this one as well as the colors and feather detail.:cheers:

[Morkel Erasmus]

Found it. Love it. Fantastic timing and love how low it flies over the water.