Swan & duck pictures

I love going to Stanley park to take pictures of birds. My husband & I went to the Lagoon today where there are the swans so I got quite a few pictures of them. They were very friendly and let us come right up to them. I was able to take a close up picture of one of them.
I also got lots of pictures of ducks and some other kind of birds that I don't know what are. There was also this other bird on the Island park that was very strange looking. I have never seen anything like it ever. I didn't get a very good picture of it because my camera doesn't zoom that far so I had to zoom after the shot was taken.

Any how here are some of the pictures I got. I don't think they are anywhere as good as the shots I see in this forum.. they are not as unique.. But they are the kind of pictures I like taking :)

had a few more

Nice shots,

Some of them seem a tad soft in the focus and I believe they could all use somewhat of a levels adjustment. They seem a tad flat. I personally love the duck in the water one in your first post!

Great shot!

Jared

Which birds can you not ID? I can ID it for you :)

IMAGE 49 is a lesser scaup though I can't understand why they are that far north right now

and image 28 has a coot swimming away ;)

The first and the last are my faves - you should frame the last one! Interesting zebra like pattern on that duck!

I love the photo of the duck scrathing - excellent. Well I like most of these never managed to get that close to any of them to take photos like this.

The closest I ever got to a swan was when it was chasing me, I had a can of beans in my hands at the time. Oh! I was camping, before anyone asks.

Wildlife shots are normally very difficult to get - even if the ducks/geese are used to people being around. You were able to capture them quite nicely. A touch of level changes could help as pointed out already. I think you brought out one of the biggest things on your own though. Work on getting a good telephoto/zoon lens for yourself. I think it would take your work from an above average to a much higher level. Keep taking photos of what you like to. You can't make others happy without making yourself happy first.

I love the ability of getting up and close like that. No opportunities like that around here. I think these shots are pretty kewl but I have to say that out of all of them I prefer 2. I like the one with the swans standing by the gentleman and how you captured that moment of his reaction. I also realy like the one with the black faced black breasted duck. (Don't know what it's called) I would print and frame that one. Really great shot!h

My favorite is the duck scratching himself under the chin. Very unique, and not something that's been shot to death (pardon the pun).