Guarding Her Flock

© Mary K. Robison

Guarding Her Flock

Uploaded: July 10, 2009 01:19:26

Description

This is dedicated to Ann Coates, whose lovely swan photos prompted me to visit the local park Thursday.
Note: the "halo" of brighter water is natural ~ a tree's shadow fell across the water surrounding the ducklings, but didn't cover the mother's head. Still, I do think her smile is angelic, don't you? ;-)

Exif: F Number: 3.1, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 10/2000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 29.00 mm, Model: FinePix S7000

Comments

Paul E. Earl July 10, 2009

Extremely cute! A lovely image, Mary! #1152160

Brett Dolsen July 10, 2009

Wonderfull animal composition Mary!!Great timing!Brett #7723980

Kerry Hill July 10, 2009

Ohhh this is so gorgeous, Mary!! Fantastic composition and details!! I'm sure Ann will love this!! #7723995

Michelle Alton July 10, 2009

An apt dedication, Mary. This is wonderful--the way they lined up in perfect symmetry for you. Not sure how it's possible to actually "smile" with a hard bill for a mouth, but she DOES seem to be "kvelling" with pride! (untranslatable Yiddish word for something that a proud parent does) #7724019

Ann Coates level-classic July 10, 2009

Mary, I am so glad you were prompted to go to the park and thank you so much for your kind words. Your capture of this lovely family is outstanding. I love the way mother duck is looking proudly over her brood and how you have captured her wee ones busily doing what ducks do best. Fantastic timing and composition Mary and once again thank you. You have put a smile on my face tonight. #7724079

Nadya Johnson July 10, 2009

Love it, Mary! What a fabulous shot! #7724084

Mary K. Robison July 10, 2009

Thanks very much, Paul, Brett, Kerry, Michelle, and Nadya, for your encouraging comments. You've made my day!
And, Ann ~ you're very welcome. I'm so glad you enjoyed the photo. And I need to thank YOU, for getting my lazy derriere out the door, which helped me re-discover my enthusiasm for photography. THANKS!
Have a grand weekend, everyone! #7724115

Ann Coates level-classic July 10, 2009

Mary, that is very sweet of you. Look forward to seeing some more duckie captures. #7724122

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe July 10, 2009

This is wonderful, Mary. I bet you are glad you went to the park. Composition, clarity and details are perfect. Love it! #7724131

Tiia Vissak July 10, 2009

very sweet! #7724261

Mary K. Robison July 10, 2009

Thank you for your friendly comments, ladies!
Ann, you can bet I'll have more duckling photos to post ~ I took more than 300 photos! After deleting since midnight, I have "only" 200 to winnow down to some magical number, less than 50, I hope!
And, yes, Tammy ~ I am SO glad I went to the park! I didn't expert to see younger ducklings today. I'm used to the "adolescent" size in summer. So Thursday was a fantastic surprise, and all because of Ann! :-D #7724497

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer July 10, 2009

It sure is, Mary. The love of a mother...!!
An absolute FABULOUS capture of this beautiful family. And I can't get over how symmetrical they arranged themselves for you :0)
A must in my favs. #7724639

Karen Engelbreth July 10, 2009

So cute and wonderful - love it, Mary... #7725099

Sam Britt July 10, 2009

Terrific image, very sweet, Mary. #7726179

Patricia Ronan July 10, 2009

Fantastic composition and beautiful light and colour in this really sweet capture Mary:) #7726417

Maria Warren level-classic July 10, 2009

THIS IS SO GORGEOUS!!!!!! THE COLOR THE LIGHT IS GREAT #7726475

Phillip R. Connolly July 10, 2009

Did you discuss the composition with these subjects before capturing it, Mary!!! lol Great capture!! Couldn't have been planned better!!

Phil #7726512

Mary K. Robison July 10, 2009

Kirsten, Karen, Sam, Patricia, Maria, and Phil, thanks so much for your friendly and supportive words. I really appreciate them!
And, Phil ~ as you may have guessed, this is the best one of more than 20 I shot of these little ones jockeying for position. I was so happy when I found this in the file --- made that trip to the park, lugging my tripod, truly worthwhile!
Have a wonderful weekend, everybody! #7726918

Evy Johansen level-classic July 11, 2009

Aw, this is such a wonderful capture, Mary!! Wonderful clarity and colors! Great compositon! (LOL, Phillip!!!) #7727221

Ujjwal Mukherjee July 11, 2009

Wonderful moment captured here,Mary with excellent timing! The light and composition are just fabulous!! #7727257

Max Aureli July 11, 2009

Great shot, Mary!!! Love the way the guardian is posing!! Fantastic colors and lighting!! Great timing!! #7727335

Mary K. Robison July 11, 2009

Thanks very much for your encouraging comments, Evy, Ujjwal, and Max. I appreciate every word!! #7727341

Lynne Morris July 11, 2009

Wow this is a beautiful capture Mary, great light and colours, lovely work. #7727345

Cindy Bendush level-classic July 11, 2009

A very touching image Mary! Mama ducks do such a good job with their broods and are so much fun to watch. Love how you've captured everybody together here :-) #7727369

Laura E. Swan level-classic July 11, 2009

Symmetrical perfection, wonderful dedication to Ann and a really cute shot, Mary!!! Love it!!!

-Laura :) #7730100

Mary K. Robison July 11, 2009

Thank you, Lynne, Cindy, and Laura, for such warm and friendly comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the photo! #7730143

Tommy E. Burgess July 11, 2009

Fantastic capture of this beautiful family Mary!! #7730155

Mary K. Robison July 12, 2009

Thanks for commenting on this, Tommy! I appreciate your feedback. #7731288

Colleen Farrell July 14, 2009

Wow, fabulous capture of this family, Mary! They couldn't have been "arranged" any better if you'd posed them yourself! Love it! #7739456

Mary K. Robison July 14, 2009

Thanks, Colleen ~ glad you like it!
I took so many shots of these little guys that day, and was truly surprised to see that, in this one, they'd encircled the bread so symmetrically. What are the odds, I wonder? #7739696

Gail Vitikacs level-classic July 16, 2009

This is such a lovely capture Mary!! #7744465

Mary K. Robison July 16, 2009

Thanks for commenting, Gail! #7744767

Alex T. Mizuno July 16, 2009

Great wildlife photo Mary! It's just like one scene from BBC's "Planet Earth". The lighting and comp are really magical! #7747023

Mary K. Robison July 17, 2009

I'm glad you like it, Alex! Thanks for commenting. #7747617

Chris Ebben July 23, 2009

I think you did a wonderful job on this one, I only wish I could have been there too. And I'm sure I can see the Mother smiling. Wonderful work=^..^= #7776647

Mary K. Robison July 24, 2009

Thank you for your friendly and supportive comments about this, Chris! Glad you like it! #7777440

Maria Warren level-classic August 17, 2009

congrats on your finalist!!!!!!!:) #7857481

Alex T. Mizuno August 17, 2009

Congratulations Mary! Glad to see this again!! #7857560

Karen Engelbreth August 17, 2009

Congratulations.... #7857906

Jim Kinnunen level-classic August 17, 2009

Absolutely a wonderful image, Mary...Congratulations!!! #7858521

Amy M. Wilson August 17, 2009

Congratulations on a FABULOUS Finalist, Mary! #7858562

Carla Metzler August 17, 2009

Congratulations on your beautiful finalist, Mary! :-)
Good luck in the next round!
YFC #7858676

Jane Hirst August 17, 2009

Super capture.........they posed for you!! Congratulations and good luck. #7858817

Ann Coates level-classic August 17, 2009

Congratulations Mary on this outstanding finalist. Best of luck in the next round. #7859407

Evy Johansen level-classic August 17, 2009

Huge congratulations on your beautiful and well deserving finalist, Mary! #7860120

Teresa Burnett level-classic August 17, 2009

Huge congratulations on this marvelous Finalist, Mary!! Best of luck in the next round!! #7860351

Mary K. Robison August 17, 2009

Thank you, Maria, Alex, Karen, Jim, Amy, Carla, Jane, Ann, Evy, and Teresa, for your kind words and Congrats.
This was my favorite capture in July, and I'm very happy that the bp judges chose it as a finalist. #7860501

Barbara Waldoch August 18, 2009

Congratulations on this gorgeous Finalist, Mary! #7860841

Stefania Barbier level-classic August 18, 2009

huge congratulations on your SPECTACULAR finalist!!! #7860845

Shawn Jennings August 18, 2009

Great timing on this, Mary! Congratulations on your finalist! #7862255

August 18, 2009

Wonderful shot !! Beautiful Gallery..:) #7862580

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer August 18, 2009

How could it not be a winner? Huge congrats, Mary. I hope to see it again very soon. #7863275

Nadya Johnson August 18, 2009

Congratulations on your outstanding finalist, Mary! #7863581

Agnes Fegan level-deluxe August 18, 2009

Congratulations Mary! #7864054

Colleen Farrell August 18, 2009

Woohoo!! WTG, Mary--I'm so glad the judges picked this one. Big congrats on a most well-deserved finalist! #7864206

Renee Doyle August 18, 2009

So sweet!!! Congratulations Mary on this beautiful finalist!! #7864461

Mary K. Robison August 18, 2009

Barbara, Stefania, Shawn, Janice, Kiki, Nadya, Don, Agnes, Colleen, and Renee ~ many thanks to you all for your supportive comments and Congrats.
I appreciate them so much! #7864957

Raymond Pauly August 18, 2009

Fantastic pose and capture, Mary! Congratulations to you! #7865116

Max Aureli August 19, 2009

Congratulations on this fantastic shot Finalist, Mary!!!! #7865853

Yulianto Soeroso August 19, 2009

congratulation yeah #7865932

Tammy Scott August 19, 2009

Congratulations on the awesome and adroable finalist! #7866175

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe August 19, 2009

Congrats Mary on your Wonderful Finalist! Jeff #7866717

Mary K. Robison August 19, 2009

Thanks very much, Ray, Max, Yulianto, Tammy, and Jeff, for your kind words and Congrats. I do appreciate them! #7867181

Julianne Bradford August 19, 2009

Wonderful pose and well deserved finalist award Mary! Congrats! #7867506

Cindy Bendush level-classic August 19, 2009

Such a cute capture of a proud mama and babies! Congratulations Mary! #7870504

Mary K. Robison August 19, 2009

I appreciate your kind words and Congrats, Julianne and Cindy. Thanks! #7870597

Tommy E. Burgess August 20, 2009

Huge congratulations on your beautiful and well deserved finalist Mary!! I'm so far behind but am glad I took a minute to stop by your sight. I really enjoyed this when you first entered it and am happy you got well deserved recognition for this wonderful moment you captured here. Excellent!!! #7873817

Mary K. Robison August 20, 2009

Many thanks for the Congrats and for all your friendly and supportive words, Tommy! I'm glad you enjoyed the duck family so much!
None of your bp buddies will hold you up to scorn if you have to skip some comments. Real Life (your major outdoor project)comes first!
And now, to repeat what I said on your
latest photo's discussion thread: Get Some Sleep!! #7873849

anonymous August 21, 2009

Huge congratulations Mary on your beautiful finalist! B- #7874927

Mary K. Robison August 21, 2009

Thanks, Barb! #7876623

Phyllis H. Burchett August 23, 2009

This is gorgeous, great capture and composition. Lovely moment! #7880077

Mary K. Robison August 23, 2009

Glad you like it, Phyllis!
Thanks very much for taking time to comment. #7881576

Sherran Andersen level-classic September 04, 2009

Belated congrats Mary... sorry I have been scarce this summer on BP hope to catch up soon. Wonderful wildlife capture. Sherran #7916468

Mary K. Robison September 05, 2009

Thanks for the Congrats, Sherran ~ I'll take 'em whenever I can get 'em!
Hope your summer absence was because you were busy having a terrific vacation somewhere! #7916928

Ujjwal Mukherjee September 05, 2009

Oh!,missed it,Mary!!
HUGE congratulations on a super Finalist!! #7918959

Mary K. Robison September 05, 2009

Thanks so much, Ujjwal!! Glad you like it! #7918967

Marvin H. Gohlke Jr. September 08, 2009

You nailed this shot, I love it!! And I loved going through your gallery! #7925015

Mary K. Robison September 08, 2009

Thanks for checking this out and commenting on it, Marvin!
I enjoyed your gallery as well, especially the "Old West" images. Beautiful work!
Congrats again on your POTD!! #7925211

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