R Gary Butler, QPSA, PPSA  


Blue-Winged Teal by R Gary Butler, QPSA, PPSA

February 2025 - Blue-Winged Teal

About the Image(s)

On last week's outing to Merritt Island I was able to capture this beautiful Blue-winged Teal feeding on a mollusk (I think). The image was taken about 2 hour after sunrise. I used my Canon R5 and my 100-500 mm RF lens with a 1.4 teleconverter. The camera set up was 1/1600 second at f/10 and ISO 3200.

Post I did the usual adjusts in LR Classic, sharpened in Topaz Studio and added Pro Contrast in DxO Color Efex 6.


8 comments posted




Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
Good timing Gary, the calm water added to the serenity of the image. Good placement of the Teal in the frame. Have you given any consideration to selecting the subject and warm it up a tad?   Posted: 02/05/2025 16:30:07
R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Erik, thanks for the comments. Yes, I have actually considered that and done it, but as you said, just a tad. I want to try this in nature competition and of course you have to be very very careful with anything like that. I might try a slight additional global warming.   Posted: 02/05/2025 16:43:29
Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Gary, this image would not do very good in a nature competition since the duck is going away from you and giving a slight butt shot. Would do better if the duck is coming towards you. It is a nice and sharp image anyway.   Posted: 02/07/2025 17:48:25



Guy Davies   Guy Davies
God sharp image of the teal, Gary, and you have the advantage of the early morning calm on the water to avoid distracting ripples. I don't know enough about these birds to comment on the colour, but the blue in the water looks like a perfect reflection on a clear blue sky. I agree with Isaac about the bird going away from you, but it is still a very good picture of this bird - simple, sharp and clean with no distractions.   Posted: 02/08/2025 10:29:27



Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Gary
Such a calming image and the lighting at that time of the morning is for me perfect,I like the little bubbles on the surface of the water they just break it up a touch but not too much to be a distraction for me they add to scene. I am not a nature photographer but I would give it a go in a nature comp plus it is catching its breakfast so that adds to the story.   Posted: 02/09/2025 19:53:01



Vella Kendall   Vella Kendall
Lovely tranquille image of a beautiful duck I have never encountered. Agree with the spattering of bubbles as adding to the story and not a distraction. You were able to capture a nice subtle catch light.   Posted: 02/15/2025 18:24:52



Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
My initial reaction was that this image seemed a bit on the cooler side. Perhaps selecting the duck and warming it only. I see that others have commented on the looking at the southern end of the duck. That doesn't bother me. I would however like to see the duck slightly lower in the frame. I believe it would help with the composition   Posted: 02/18/2025 15:52:12



R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Thanks Bill. That is a good constructive comment. I will make a change to it before the 24th when the four chapters exhibition closes. I did by the way already warmed it up a bit.   Posted: 02/18/2025 22:35:56



 

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