I love the way that Bufflehead ducks (Bucephala albeola) run across the surface of the water to gain speed before taking off, like this male bufflehead that I spotted last Saturday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The images were already pretty much monochromatic because of the limited light, so I decided to do a black-and-white conversion of them.
If you look closely at the first image, you will see that my camera’s shutter speed was fast enough to freeze the motion of the water, but slow enough that the wings are blurred, which I think enhances the sense of speed. The wing tips are blurred in the second image as well and we also have a really cool reflection of the bufflehead after it has successfully taken to the air.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Great action shots, Mike.
Oh yes, love the frozen water and blurred wings.. how fascinating. Great capture!
Just to be clear, the waterin the photo is still liquid, even though its motion is frozen. 🙂
Thanks Mike, haha.. its ok I was up with the play, do love that photo!
I love b&w
Thanks, Robert. I too love black and white and still have some black and white film in my refrigerator waiting to be shot. There is something really pure about photography when you take color out of the equation.
There is. Orson Welles once said that black & white is the actor’s best friend, it heightens drama and distills the action down to its essence. I used b&w for my Community TV show for that reason. Looking forward to any possible b&w pictures on your site. 🙂
That’s an interesting comment Mike! When I spent a week exploring b&w on my blog it was really fun and I found some interesting photos and art in b&w. I was surprised how much I enjoyed them! Interesting you’ve still got some b&w film in the fridge!
The film is from about two years ago when I took some shots in black in white and developed the film myself. I then scanned the images and manipulated them digitally, so I wouldn’t have to set up a full darkroom. I do plan to shoot some more–there is something really special about shooting with film, because you have to be so mindful of doing things manually and methodically.
Stunning photos Mike! 😃 You are so talented!
Great captures, the duck and the water splash, Mike!
Thanks, Ellen. As you know well, there is a lot of luck involved in capturing a waterbird’s takeoff, especially when it is unanticipated.
You’re welcome! Wonderful that we learn to capitalize on that luck!
Nice in Black & White! Cool shots!
Slick!