Bufflehead-light direction makes all the difference

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bajadreamer

bajadreamer

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We do not see many Buffleheads in my area (Southern California) and when I do see them, typically they are on large lakes far in the distance. This one came to a small community pond (tennis court sized) and stayed for a few days. I was able to get many shots and there was an incredible difference in the appearance of the bird based on the light direction. Wrong direction-drab bird. Right direction-spectacular bird. These birds are also tricky to expose for me. The white on their heads and body is super reflective. This picture was taken on a bright overcast day at about 8:30 AM.
This shot was cropped approximately 15% from the right and bottom maintaining the 3:2 aspect, the exposure on the head was selectively brought up. Most importantly there was no increase in saturation or vibrance-this is the duck! DeNoise AI was run on the entire picture.
Bufflehead-Rancho-Calavera-1.jpg
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No kidding! Beautiful image. I found the same with the ruby-throat hummingbird. If the light is wrong the throat looks black. If the light is right the throat shows the most beautiful ruby-red color.
 
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Stunning colours and a great shot. For iridescent birds I’ve found bright overcast is the only way to go. I tried using a polarising filter last week to see if it would do the job but found it no help at all. We see in 3 colours (RGB) but birds use 4. I often wonder what we’re missing.
 
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Squawk said:
Stunning colours and a great shot. For iridescent birds I’ve found bright overcast is the only way to go. I tried using a polarising filter last week to see if it would do the job but found it no help at all. We see in 3 colours (RGB) but birds use 4. I often wonder what we’re missing.
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Agree about the sky. Interesting information about birds' vision. Have never tried any filters before.
 
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Rassie said:
No kidding! Beautiful image. I found the same with the ruby-throat hummingbird. If the light is wrong the throat looks black. If the light is right the throat shows the most beautiful ruby-red color.
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Absolutely-hummers present much the same problem, although as I understand the physics of the light reflection are different between hummer feathers and duck feather.
 
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bajadreamer said:
Thank you. This bird made it easy; very cooperative. I do regret not being able to get lower. This pond has a cement ring surrounding it, so very difficult to impossible to get lower than what I was, even with live view.
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The only photos I've gotten showing full color on Buffleheads has been from a higher angle. Don't know if being at eye level would help. :)
 
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