Jordan River Mallard drake in low light – Nikon D500, handheld, f7.1, 1/100, ISO 1000, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light
I took this low light Mallard drake photo yesterday while I walked along the Jordan River in the chill of the early morning. The cottonwood trees lining the river bank meant I had shade where this drake and a Mallard hen were foraging in the fast moving water.
Even though I was hand holding the camera, I managed to capture the duck sharp enough to my liking despite my shutter speed being slow enough to blur the water in the background. The water dripping from the drake’s bill was a messy blurry though.
This was the one and only photo that I took yesterday that I liked well enough to share.
Mallards are very abundant in my area yet I don’t like to pass up opportunities to photograph them. This time of the year the drake Mallards can look pretty sharp in their breeding plumage. It still excites me to have them in my viewfinder.
Later in the morning when the light was better on the river I walked by where the mallards had been and found that they had moved on.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mallard photos plus facts and information about this species.
This mallard pic is great. Looks like you caught him right after he sipped his first martini. Great shot. Thanks Mia.
A walk by the water is solace and heart balm isn’t it? And the mallard a bonus.
Mallards are such good looking birds. I feel so fortunate to have so many near me.
I agree! Handsome ducks, and I love this shot.
Nice composition in your crop, with water dribbling from a recent dabble. The winter high-key portrait is a nice comparison. I am still trying to master exposure compensation as the light conditions in Connecticut vary greatly by season and position of subjects, more challenging than the more consistent settings in Florida.