Four-winged Mallard Pic--Ever Seen One?

[Jim Thompson, Jr.]

This is the beauty of photography. Your eye and brain would never be fast enough to capture this. Stand back from your monitor. Photo may be off alittle bit in clarity but I was just lucky to capture it at all. I've heard of four-winged mallards before but due to their extreme speeds and acrobatics a hunter has yet to harvest one. I'm told their vertical jump from the water allows them to rise 27 feet in 2.3 seconds. What makes this photo unique is that they are rarely captured in flight with another bird, they're always so much farther ahead of the rest of the flock. Photography tip: Always focus on your subject's head and more precise on their eyes. If these are in focus the rest of the subject can be off. If the body is in focus and not the head you're sunk. Our eyes naturally draw to theirs. I never run my focusing beep, I have trained myself not to or notate the in-focus dot in the viewfinder but snap the shutter only when the subject is in focus to my eye. I autofocus 95% of the time. Hope you enjoy these pictures and that I'm not boring you with all the posts.


http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6882/dsc01661ow.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5992/dsc00115xz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2193/dsc01442xr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/959/dsc01394qa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jeff Riverin]

Wow Jim, awesome work, especially the last one! Simply beautiful!!!

[Keath Wetovick]

Great Jimbo!

[Christian Curtis]

Jim,

Thanks...that is supercool!

[Curt Wilson]

Jim,
Thanks for the post. Keep the pictures coming, because I always look forward to opening the posts.

[Cory Johnson]

Sweet. I had to look at that for a moment. LOL, then I got it.

[Cody Frazier]

those are AWESOME Jim! What type of camera are you running?

[Goosman]

cool photo's Jim!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Daryl Neal]

Now, that is one cool picture.

[Travis Mueller]

Impressive Jim. Looks darn cold.

[Duster]

Cool pics! I like how that drake has ice on his chest!

[bigguns]

If I had to 'guess' I'd say the 4-winged mallard was in fact 2 birds in VERY close proximity. Actually, I believe that that is the case - zooming the pic adds a new dimension and a different look.

[John Traiforos]

Jim, you're my hero !!!

[honkerbonkers]

Jim i seriousely think you should publish a waterfowl calendar, i know for a fact i would purchase one! Always seems that your fantastic photos make me feel the excitement of the hunt! Thank you again for sharing.

[Brobones]

You are one great photographer

[duxbutt]

Sweetness. Those are great. Thanks for Sharing

[Rob Jepson]

Jim,

Pretty stuff...I got your email with AF tips and have "reconsulted" my operating manual. Hopefully will get some improvement on the next outing. Thanks for the help!!

[GooseFlocker]

Thanks, Jim

More awesome pics added to the screen saver. :)

[goosehunter64]

Holy crap Jim................totally spectacular

[Kevin Carter]

Great looking pictures. Nothing like one of those old 4 winged mallards