Since I posted this image of the simply stunning Male Mandarin Duck, a few people have asked the question...how did you get that shot? Well, I'll tell you how. Images of birds on water look so much better when you can get as close to their level as you can, which means one thing, getting down as low as you can, sometimes meaning you have to get pretty mucky to get the perfect shot that you're after. Ideally you want to wear clothing you're happy to get dirty and also you will want to wear dark clothing as to be as camouflaged as possible as not to be seen by your subject as you lie or crouch down ready and waiting for the shot.
Not only is the image of the subject you want to photograph important but so is the background. As I walked and monitored the Mandarin Ducks and their habitat, I wanted to select a background at the back of the lake that I wanted in my image, and as you can see from this particular image, I selected a backdrop of fern leaves hanging over the water rather than a messy backdrop of sticks and twigs. With my backdrop selected, I then positioned myself on the edge of the lake, and believe me, at my ripe age of 51 it's not as easy to get down onto my stomach as it used to be! Once in position behind a small amount of foliage and lying in a small amount of mud it was essential to select the correct settings in my camera and have the lens extended and wait patiently for a Mandarin to come into my frame.
If photography has taught me anything, it's patience. Patiently waiting on my front and staying as perfectly still as possible with only my eyes moving, a Mandarin was heading towards the frame of my shot, but as fussy as I am sometimes when it comes to my images, I didn't want a 'side on' shot of the duck, but ideally a front facing Mandarin Duck, or even better a Mandarin Duck front facing with his head to the side to display its beautiful plumage.
Finally, the Mandarin entered the frame, I took a burst of shots, the Mandarin turned after hearing the clicks of the camera, I continued to take a burst of shots in the hope I could get the image/s I wanted. You're not always going to get the image you want, but once the Mandarin had disappeared, I slowly pulled myself up, I checked the images on the screen, and I was delighted to have nailed the shot that I wanted...a perfectly positioned Mandarin Duck, the perfect background, perfect colours and the perfect photograph! One happy photographer!...It was worth getting down and dirty for.
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