Birds in Nature - images of wild birds by Richard Ditch

Subject: Redhead (Aythya americana)
Place: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date: December 2003
Equipment: Nikon N90S, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (= 600/5.6), tripod
Film: Fuji Sensia 100
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered
Scan: Minolta Dimage, 75%

Commentary: Once a suitable place is found, photographing ducks is about as easy as it gets. Look for a local park where lots of people visit and where resident hybrid mallards are regularly fed by visitors. Wild ducks that winter at such locations often will adopt the ways of the resident birds and allow close observation if they think there may be free food involved. Although I don't feed birds in these situations, I will take advantage of what others have set up for me. Stay low behind a collapsed tripod and watch the ducks through the viewfinder. Look for good light on the face, interesting patterns in the surface of the water, and try not to include parts of other birds.