Dutch ducks I

I do not know why, but ducks are an infinite source of inspiration for me. Hence I repaired my former hiding place near a local lake and tried my luck again. Sometimes everything fits and you make a photo that looks a bit out of the ordinary. First of all a shy ♂ Teal (Anas crecca/Wintertaling) came pretty close. Secondly, at the very moment of shutter release the flock of Teals in the background lift off simultaneously. They rise almost vertically, creating a background wall of splashing water and blurred colored patches. My luck was not sold out, half an hour later my camera AF was able to focus on this fast flying Shoveler (Anas clypeata/Slobeend) trio.

* Canon EOS 40D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/800s, +0.3 stop; from beanbag.
* Canon EOS 40D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/1250s, -0.3 stop; idem.