How to Improve your Waterfowl Photography

A few years ago I got serious with my waterfowl photography. I initially made a number of mistakes, read hundreds of articles on how to photograph waterfowl, practiced what they preached, discovered the good, discarded the bad and what follows is my approach to waterfowl photography. Hopefully you can avoid making the same mistakes and go right to the rewards.

What is Waterfowl?

Let’s get this out of the way right up front. Webster dictionary defines Waterfowl as a bird that frequents water. Cambridge dictionary further defines it as any bird that spends much of its life on or around a river or lake, especially one that is shot for food or sport. In the United States that would include all varieties of ducks, geese, swans, coots, grebes, and loons. There are 43 waterfowl species in the US and according to the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) there are 174 species worldwide. In 2022 the waterfowl population in the world was estimated to be just over 32 million, so locating your subject should not be an issue.

Gadwall

Mute Swan

Common Loon

Camera Gear and Settings

Let us clear this misconception now. A number of articles will indicate you can capture waterfowl images with any camera and lens. That may be true, but the quality of your image will vary significantly based on the equipment used. Unlike birds or larger mammals that might appear in a tree or field very close to you, waterfowl is very skittish and tends to stay their distance. In some cases, a very large distance from your camera. Using a smartphone or point & shoot camera will capture the image but the distance will not do just for the photograph. You really need an acceptable lens. I started out with a 200mm and a teleconverter and that proved not to be enough reach. Last year I upgraded to a 400mm and still needed a teleconverter and I had to adjust my camera to crop mode. It provided a good reach, but the image quality was lacking due to reduced pixels and high noise levels. A 600mm would have been the sweet spot but I went all the way and traded in my 400mm for an 800mm. This will allow me to avoid the teleconverter and not use the crop mode unless the waterfowl is at an extremely far distance. If I were starting out today, a lens in the 600mm to 800mm would be my first choice.

Today’s major camera brands have all advanced to a point where the differences between them are so small that neither has a significant advantage over the other. I would give some thought to its low light capabilities along with a good auto focusing system.

As for settings, every photographer will have an opinion so all I can do is share what works for me and recommend you practice with different controls until you get to a comfortable position. I set my camera on Shutter Priority as I believe that is the most important control when you are looking to produce a tack sharp image when your subject is moving. I typically set my shutter speed at 1/1250 or 1/1600 and the Aperture wide open. I will drop to 1/1000 if the light conditions are low. I keep my ISO on auto ISO but keep an eye on it to see that it stays between 3200 and 6400. With todays denoise software, I am not afraid to go above 6400 if the lighting conditions require it.

Best time to photograph waterfowl

Here in the northeast US, waterfowl can usually be spotted during the months of November through May. It starts out slow but by the heart of winter, you are in full swing. Towards late spring, the number of species begin to dwindle. The Wood ducks and Mallards are the first to arrive and last to leave. There are usually a few that stay all year. Springtime is when you can enjoy the young Swans (cygnet) and Geese (goslings). It is an extra bonus watching them mature over the months.

Gosling

Cygnet

Some of my favorite ducks to photograph include:

· Wood Duck

· Bufflehead

· Common Eider

· Common Loon

· Gadwall

· Hooded Merganser

· Red-breasted Merganser

Regarding the weather, I prefer calm winds to allow for nice reflections. Also, clear skies at sunrise and sunset will add that perfect color to the water from surrounding late fall foliage.

About an hour after sunrise, I wish for some light cloud coverage to mute out the sun once it gets too intense. I try to avoid overcast days as the reflected water is not very pleasing. But with that said, if you have a desired subject, take the photograph. It is amazing what you can do in postprocessing these days to salvage your image. Make that call on the computer and not in the field.

Plan ahead and be prepared

My favorite time to photograph waterfowl is in the early morning just after the sun rises. This beautiful light will showcase their amazing plumage. Also don’t forget to capture the catchlight in their eyes to enhance the image. This is even more relevant for species with black heads, as it makes the eye stand out.

To ensure success, plan out your trip the day before. Get all your gear ready. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged and your lenses are cleaned. Allow enough time to get to your location and set up before the sun peeks over the horizon. Planning ahead will minimize stress so you can enjoy the day.

Know your waterfowl behavior

The best advice here is to study the habits of the species you want to photograph. An award winning image takes time to produce. You need to understand their behavior so you can position yourself appropriately. The challenge with waterfowl is they are very alert about their surroundings and often wary about movement. You will need to stay motionless in one spot if possible, so the ducks do not see you as a threat. Most of the time when I arrive at a location, the ducks seem to move deeper into the pond. I typically will sit on the ground and quietly wait for a period. Before you know it, they return to the shore area. As long as I don’t make any sudden movements, they go about their business ignoring me which presents a great opportunity to capture their actions. Pay close attention to how the animal is reacting to the wind, light, and surrounding area. Some ducks bob their heads up and down, make a sound, and turn toward the wind before liftoff. Other ducks will take off nearly vertically. Still others require a running start. Once you can predict its next movement, then ready your camera for the perfect shot. Putting the time in the field and developing an understanding of their behavior will reward you in the end. Practice! Practice! Practice!

Look for Gestures

Most waterfowl’s action consists of preening the feathers. But if you give it time, they will put on a show. Some will flap their wings. Others will have water dripping from their bills after a dive. Pay attention to takeoffs and landings. These movements can add drama and make your images more interesting. I came upon two Canada geese that appeared to be fighting. It may have been just playing around but either case it made for some great photography.

Resources

There is an app you can download for your phone or computer called eBird. You put in a location and it will tell you hot spots in that area and list the species currently being seen. People join the app and record what they see in their area. It is extremely helpful to identify what waterfowl are currently being seen at your favorite site. I use it all the time to help plan my next adventure.

Have Patience

The other day I was all geared up to visit one of my favorite locations. Following what I preached above, I prepared for the adventure. The night before I checked the app for current species, arrived early before sunrise, and was excited and raring to go. And I got nothing! Very few waterfowl were present and those seen were in poor light. After three hours of anticipation, I called it a day. Disappointed yes, but tomorrow is another opportunity and history has shown me, it just might be the best day ever. Have patience, it will deliver. That is what keeps me excited for tomorrow and should you as well.

Take Aways

Here is a summary of the Take Aways from this article.

· Use the right equipment

· Know the best time of the year to see waterfowl in your area

· Be prepared

· Know your subjects behavior and look for gestures

· Use the eBird app

· Be patient

Waterfowl Photography can be frustrating at times so I hope that you find my approach useful and can elevate your photography to the next level. If you have any tips that might be helpful, please share in the comments below.

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