Speedy and erratic ducks in flight are a good test for a new camera so three days ago on the Antelope Island causeway I put the Canon R5 through its paces, with mixed results. I consider this photo to be one of my successes, even though the Shovelers weren’t very close.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was lucky to catch these four Northern Shovelers in a visually interesting formation with a duck at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions and no other birds in the frame to distract the eye. I was shooting down on them from the causeway near the raised bridge so the Great Salt Lake is in the background. All four birds are sharp and I got flight postures I like from each of them.
For me, more than anything it’s their flight formation that makes the shot. It reminds me of…
Blue Angels – image in the Public Domain
the Tight Diamond Formation made famous by the Blue Angels. The Shoveler’s formation isn’t as tight as that of the Blue Angels but then F/A-18 Hornets don’t have to flap their wings.
But flight formations can be a matter of perspective.
There was actually a fifth Shoveler trailing behind, as revealed by a different crop of the same image. I like both versions of the photo.
The day after I took this photo I returned to the causeway at the same time of early morning and almost all of the ducks were gone. There were only a few scattered ducks on the shore, along with a single lonesome-looking American Avocet, and a couple of small clumps of ducks far out on the lake.
From several hundred thousand ducks to only a few hundred in 24 hours. The difference in such a short time was dramatic and kind of depressing. I’m going to miss them but they have to get on with their business of making babies up north.
Ron
Love the comparison of the flight formation of the Northern Shovelers with the Blue Angels’ – so beautiful. It’s amazing the way technology mimics nature and enjoys the benefits and harmony that nature provides. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like the lady is leading a dance audition – she’s in perfect form, wings open, body turned open just so, feet/head in a perfect straight line. But the four clumsy boys haven’t quite got it. “Again, please…….5,6,7,8!” Straggler may not get the part!
😊
I’m with Lyle — I feel like the straggler. Although, he adds visual interest with his wing position being so different from the cluster ducks’ (sorry, couldn’t resist😈).
“sorry, couldn’t resist”
No you’re not, Marty. And I’m glad.
You’re right. Not sorry at all. 😂😈🤣
Symmetries in flight, individually and as a whole. Perfectly timed. The straggler reminds me of myself and the time change. Not quite up to speed yet. At least the ducks don’t have to deal with such nonsense.
I’m having a tough time with the time change too. It seems like I’ve been up for half the day before the sun comes up and there’s enough light to photograph birds.
Nice.
Thanks.
Beautiful. Smart thinking by the guys putting the lone female up there in the 12 o’clock position. Glad you mentioned them heading north because yesterday afternoon I went down to our Willow Lake and noticed that there were very few Northern Shovelers.
Neat adding the Blue Angels. For almost all the years we lived in Irvine CA there was the big El Torro Marine Base air show. We were only a few miles away and when they were performing two in the formation would make their turn back toward the base right over our street. We used to stand out there and take photos. They were quite low and the noise was loud, but what an exciting thing to watch right over our heads.
Everett, I’ll bet that was fun. And loud.
It’s working! YES! 🙂 Beautiful capture of the Shovelers. 🙂 When the critters are on the move they ARE on the move when migrating barring weather delays.
Thank you, Judy.
Lovely formation photos. Because the ducks are further away, the detail is less obvious. On close inspection, however, they seem very sharp.
I was a little surprised to see the Blue Angels photo, and for a moment wondered if you’d had a fly-over in the middle of your photo session! Got a good laugh at the “tight formation b/c no flapping wings” comment.
Always worth checking your blog each day.
Thanks, Nancy. Yes, the ducks weren’t very close so there’s less detail but that helped to get them all sharp. Tradeoffs…