"The Ugly Duckling", a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

Sung by Danny Kaye, the song is based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

There once was an ugly duckling
With feathers all stubby and brown
And the other birds said in so many words
Get out of town
Get out, get out, get out of town
And he went with a quack and a waddle and a quack
In a flurry of eiderdown
That poor little ugly duckling
Went wandering far and near
But at every place they said to his face
Now get out, get out, get out of here
And he went with a quack and a waddle and a quack
And a very unhappy tear
All through the wintertime he hid himself away
Ashamed to show his face, afraid of what others might say
All through the winter in his lonely clump of wheat
Till a flock of swans spied him there and very soon agreed
You’re a very fine swan indeed!
A swan? Me a swan? Ah, go on!
And he said yes, you’re a swan
Take a look at yourself in the lake and you’ll see
And he looked, and he saw, and he said
I am a swan! Wheeeeeeee!
I’m not such an ugly duckling
No feathers all stubby and brown
For in fact these birds in so many words said
The best in town, the best, the best
The best in town
Not a quack, not a quack, not a waddle or a quack
But a glide and a whistle and a snowy white back
And a head so noble and high
Say who’s an ugly duckling?
Not I!
Not I!

We had walked along the cliffs from Whitby for 3 miles before turning off over fields (with bulls!) to Hawsker. We walked to Ruswarp along an old railway bed, through woods and down a lane. From Ruswarp we returned to Whitby, where this little cygnet was swimming in the harbour at the mouth of the River Esk.

ChrisJ, plimrn, deblink, besnard, Cricri, efigesta, cobbydale, Muse, UlfE, jean11-3, JCG, cunejo200, coco, jan515, jwmunro, ALIRIZA, Tue, stego, renerob, chrisnet, Paolo, Mondaychild, delkoo, siolaw, riclopes, mortijo, bhuniatrekearth, Photo65Net, berek, balatrek, Henryk_Bilor, danos, josepmarin, fayeulle, InasiaJones has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ChrisJ (171172) 2007-01-21 3:59

Hi Kath

I like the mixture of red & blue colours in the reflection & the graphism of the white swan & its wake. Good sharpness, colour, & lighting. Hope you didnt get too much damage from the recent storm. Thank for sharing!

bakes888 (18499) 2007-01-21 4:20

Hi Kath. I’m showing my age here but I think we had the song you mention on 45 when we were kids. Great photo. I love the patterns on the water. Nice sharp image. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Paul.

plimrn (21344) 2007-01-21 4:35

Hi Kath,
The water looks like an abstract painting of molten metals. I like the way you've used the duck to add a note of reality. The workshop is more your traditional style with the beautiful detail of the river and it's bright reflection as it curves past the manor house. The light is clear and bright ans the colors show touches of autumn. It really cries out for it's own primary post. The song is a great choice for the note. HLJ, Pat

Gerrit (62042) 2007-01-21 5:07

Hi Kath,
wonderful match between the young swam and the distored white and brown of the reflection in the water. Regards, Gerrit

pady (4800) 2007-01-21 5:10

Excellent shot with beautiful reflection in the water.
Nice composition.
Cheers
Pierre-André

vincz (19113) 2007-01-21 5:34

Excellent abstract "motifs" on the water. you got wondeful colours there, reflections of some buildings maybe. The result is a true wonderful abstract painting.

deblink (2548) 2007-01-21 5:35

Hi Kath,
The reflections on the water are magnificent and it looks like silk. I don't think the duck is so ugly, quite good looking actually. Nice.
Cheers,
Debbie

besnard (59196) 2007-01-21 5:39

Bonjour Kath
Belle prise de ce cygne qui nage dans une eau aux magnifiques couleurs et aux beaux reflets.
Merci pour le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

Cricri (176) 2007-01-21 5:46

Bonjour Kath,
belle image de ce cygne, avec de jolies reflet qui fait penser a une peinture abtrait, jolies couleurs et lumiére
bon dimanche
amitié
cricri

markstaples (15670) 2007-01-21 7:07

Hi Kath
An almost abstract shot of these wonderful reflections. I love the effect that these ripples have. The cignet is well placed in the frame. Very nice work.
Best wishes
Mark

efigesta (12188) 2007-01-21 7:17

Hi my friend
interesting title but not true, great duck there, the effect in water is amazing
regards
manuel

cobbydale (1958) 2007-01-21 7:43

Classic composition here Kath with the rule of thirds, and some lovely reflections and colours in the water. Was it really Danny Kaye who sang that song - I thought it was Rolf Harris (before he progressed to doing Led Zep covers!).
TFS. Leon.

Muse (35030) 2007-01-21 7:53

Hello Kath,
C'est impressionnant ce que tu as capturé ici.
Au premier coup d'oeil, ce sont surtout les couleurs qui attirent le regard. Les reflets sont supers et contrastent bien avec la couleur de l'eau.
Il semble tout cool lui!
Excellent dimanche
Denise

UlfE (14641) 2007-01-21 7:56

Hi Kath,

A superb shot. The little cygnet seems to have such high speed. This creates such a wonderful pattern in the water. Really good sharpness and very very nice colours. Have nice Sunday!

Cheers,

Ulf

lukie (0) 2007-01-21 8:02

Hello Kath,

the red-white reflections on the water give this photo something special. I wonder what it is, some buildings ?

friendly regards,

Luc.

jean11-3 (2799) 2007-01-21 10:06

Beautiful composition with the abstract reflections and the cygnet; I just noticed the duck almost hidden in the reflections on the left hand side.The colours are delightful.This is a change from your usual style but you have maintained a quality post.Well observed,TFS, regards Jean.

peter1892 (1681) 2007-01-21 10:31

Hi Kath - great composition, you have captured the cygnet in a slightly calmer area of water with the ripples in the background reflecting a nice red/brown colour.

pastadog (13111) 2007-01-21 11:34

Hi Kath - this is a superb shot, the sharpness and light are fantastic, we can really see the path of the duck and even the curved water surface in the spot where the duck is situated; and the many shapes and colors of this reflection in fragmentation are really amazing! Regards, Daniel

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-01-21 11:55

Hi Kath,
Very beautiful colors and pattern created by the water. The 'ugly duckling' is well presented in the frame. Excellent work. Always enjoy reading your Note and the ancillary photo(s) in the WS. Greetings from Wash DC. Danilo

coco (30439) 2007-01-21 11:59

Hi Kath.

Nice remember the Andersen's tale.
About the photo, I think that are the reflections over the water and the waves left by the duck what make different and better the photo.

Thanks for share.

leonorkuhn (16237) 2007-01-21 12:38

Hi Kath,

Very nice composition. The cygnet is camoufled with the reflections. I really like a lot these image. Great colors.
Well done.
Leonor

gilou530 (34) 2007-01-21 13:39

salut kath
hello kath these red reflections are more beautiful effects, the undulation of splendid water and the duck fixed well in bottom of the image, beautiful composition
friendship
gilbert

Graal (103040) 2007-01-21 14:00

Hi Kath,
amazing theme in Your portfolio, fine graphism and reflections. I like it. Well done.
Gr., Aleksander

jan515 (545) 2007-01-21 15:18

Hi Kath,
That is are however interesting photo, the colors very beautiful. Very good pictures with much details. The composition is excellent. Very good work. Would congratulate.
Janusz

I wish beautiful week.

jwmunro (286) 2007-01-21 15:39

Hello Kath -

This is technically a superb image in regards to composition, exposure, etc. I do want to like the image but IMO the duck (or is it a swan) gets lost in the reflections. I mean, the abstract and colorful reflections seem to dominate the image and take away from the main subject.

This is different from your normal images and is good. We all need to change our focus once in a while and look for and shoot something different. Your beach side portrait made me go back and look at some of the portraits that I have done. I am not very good meeting and talking with strangers but I should go out of my way and do home human interest and portrait images. Well, maybe in Hawaii.

Thank you for sharing

John

Tue (91526) 2007-01-21 16:35

Hej Kath,
I love the beautiful and colourful reflections in the water. The distorion of it is very nice as well. The ugly duckling is placed well in the composition. I like the reference to H.C. Andersen's fairytale! :-) Well done and thanks for sharing!
Hilsen,
Lars

renerob (601) 2007-01-21 21:30

HI Kath,
He not so ugly Kath, I like the reflections on the water, and a free song with it as well, nice one Kath.
Regards Irene

JCG (35153) 2007-01-22 3:49

Hi Kath,

A superb reflection in water disturbed by this Ugly Duckling. A very beautiful quality of image, it is very pleasant to look at. Pretty text to accompany the photograph and thank you for this splendid WS which also deserves a publication.

With all my friendships and a good end of day.

Jean-Charles

ALIRIZA (16423) 2007-01-22 4:06

Hi Kath,
Beautiful abstract motifs on the water. Very nice composition, lovely reflections and colours. Well done my friend...
Have a nice week...
Ali Rıza

ktanska (44446) 2007-01-22 5:00

Hi Kath,
That 'duckling' is alsready quite big, I wonder at what age they change feathers.
Also the reflections follow the same the. No bright colours as I have sometimes seen, but more close-to-earth red brick tones. Splendid!
Kari

chrisnet (23062) 2007-01-22 6:02

Hello Kath,
Nice reflexions and very wonderful effect of the mouvement of water, the duck is very well placed at the right of the image, a good composition, congratulations.
Regards
Christian

Paolo (41258) 2007-01-22 6:48

Hi Kath excellent image for that famous and wonderful tale.
excellent quality, composition and colorful reflections.
thanks, ciao

delkoo (68) 2007-01-22 8:42

hi kath
The shapes and reflection are quite appealing, very nice colours too, nice contrast between abstract reflections and duck.

regards
didier

siolaw (38294) 2007-01-22 9:06

Hi Kath,
Nice capture of that duck in the reflections... great colors and sharpness, good framing and position of the duck in the image
TFS
Laurent

riclopes (35577) 2007-01-22 9:22

Funny thing, yesterday I vivited a similar picture (http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Portugal/photo560089.htm)
We also have a Portuguese fairy tale, with a ugly duck, but it's a bit diferent from this...
I'm glad that you posted this as the main image instead of the complementar general view in ws, because I really prefer it. You captured very well the gracious movement of the duck and the reflections are amazing. Good enough to make abstract images cropping this one...I've heard something about the storm on the radio but I usually don't see the news on TV. I'm glad that you are ok.
Ricardo

mortijo (12828) 2007-01-22 9:43

Hello,

Excellent shot with brillant reflections. The colors are great. I took a couple of shots of cygnets in Remich last friday but the weather was overcast, so I ack the brillance of the colors.
Greetings,
John

pboehringer (770) 2007-01-22 13:46

Hi Kath, this post reminds me a lot of Norbert's master posts. Maybe you saw it alreday or not and if not enjoy the similarity of ideas. Both posts are superb in its execution.
What a shame to take the marvelous WS just as WS and not as a main post!
Regards, Peter

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-01-22 14:01

Hello Kath,
Great compo, with nice exposure control, and great use of the reflection.
You did an amazing job, the result is so pleasant...
Regards,
JB.

stego (24132) 2007-01-22 18:57

Hi Kath,
Wonderful reflections and colors, they make a beautiful abstract pattern.
The note is very apropriate and without it perhaps the title would be a bit out of place, as the duck isn't really ugly.
I say again that is beautiful, but I think that "ducks" wise isn't so great, I they confuse themselves with the bg, specially the small one, which I didn't even noticed at first, as it is very well camouflaged. The position of the bigger one (isn't it a swan?) is just perfect.
Cheers, José.
PS: The WS deserves a post of its own.
PPS: Have a nice trip in Costa Rica. It's a place that is on the top of my wish list for years, so I am much envy of you.

john_c (24666) 2007-01-22 21:21

Hi Kath,
This resembles some Impressionist work, with the cygnet nicely appearing off centre in an ideal location. The fine light, the tones and hues, are all wonderful. You caught this at the decisive moment. An interesting note. First rate work, Kath.
John

Scharan (14144) 2007-01-22 21:44

Olá Kath
Sensacional esta foto do patinho nesta água cheia de efeitos... muito interessante mesmo, as cores são lindas!
Grande abraço,
Vera.

agbonavita (0) 2007-01-23 5:20

Hi Kath. I saw today a photo from Paulo (Vato Law) with a duck too. As his photo, your is very pretty too. Love the colors and the water waves made by the duck. A simple but with a great result.

Andre

rbassin (27472) 2007-01-23 12:38

Hello Kath,
Joli cadrage avec ce jeune cygne isolé au milieu de magnifiques reflets.
J'aime bien ces jeux de lumière et reflets sur l'eau.
Roland

Angshu (56760) 2007-01-23 22:41

Hi Kath
Lovely framing of the duck...The abstract reflections of the red & yellow house with the deep blue of the water makes wonderful viewing. Going thru the threads, I am relieved that you & your family were not affected by the storm which made headlines. Also great to know about your Costa Rica trip! Have a great trip, I would wait for the wonderful images thru your eyes from there
Best Regards
Angshu

berek (50518) 2007-01-24 1:48

Hi Kath,
I like reflections on the water. simple but impressive composition with cute swan. have a nice day.
Burak
****

balatrek (7455) 2007-01-25 7:07

Hi Kath,

Little I can say of this photography, I believe that is perfect, composition, light, colour… the reflections are impressive. Excellent work, thanks to share it.

Regards
José

carper (96) 2007-01-25 7:09

well Kath I am going for this swan
very nice shot, great is the reflection the good pov and the very good light in the shot, very nice photo job here.
gr. jaap

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2007-01-27 9:36

Hi Kath
I know this style ;). Beautiful ugly bird ;). Excellent capture with these reflections with lovely colours.
Regards

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2007-01-27 19:45

Hi Kath,
Nice view, good composition. Very good reflections and excellent colours... Thanks for sharing.
Have a nice weekend.
Ahmet

danos (110407) 2007-01-29 16:17

Hi Kath ,
Excellent shot with a feast of red and white reflections in the water.The little cygnet seems to form a high speed line.Nice colours,lighting and contrast make your shot marvellous.Very nice composition with much details.
Regards,Danos

Mondaychild (378) 2007-02-02 1:57

Hi Kath,

he is not ugly at all (beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder ...) and he´ll soon be even more beautiful. And amidst these beautiful red reflections in the blue water, almost "everybody" looks great ... ;-)

pablominto (53746) 2007-02-06 1:11

Hello Kath,
Nice illustration for the fairytale!
The distorted reflections are awesome, and the mix of colours works well together...
Well framed and presented in this fine composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

ElAprendiz (30) 2007-02-08 21:09

Hello Kath
It can that the duck is ugly, but the photo is beautiful.
The distortion seems to me very original that they have given him, emphasizing the brightness of an artistic way. Good work.
John

Dis_Account (0) 2007-02-11 19:04

Kath,

Wonderful shot! I love the contrast in colours between the warm red/brown and the cool blue. The image has a real sense of movement.

...tim

josepmarin (59385) 2007-02-15 13:59

Hello Kath,
This one is a precious image, I like the great abstract effect that the reflections have in the water, with a few fantastic colors, and the detail of the duck swimming calmly, in an enterteining and very pleasant scene.
Excellent lighting also. It's a very creative shot.
Best regards,
Josep

fayeulle (27827) 2007-02-20 4:30

Hi Kath
Really stunning shot with vivid colors and superb reflexion.
Cheers
JP

gemlik (983) 2007-02-20 4:33

Hello Kath,
Great shot! colors and reflections are beatutiful with lovely duck.congratulations.
greetings
bulent

mrbialy (2568) 2007-02-22 6:07

Maybe duck is a bit ugly but water and reflection and colours are just great. very good work

Stepan (27210) 2007-03-03 2:59

There is a kind of hypnosis in the water waves. In a certain way, this is the 1st psychedelic swan I see. Funny and well seen.
Stéphane

paido (944) 2007-03-03 3:01

What a strange reflection! Although, I must admit that the magic of this shot rely on this effect that you magnificanly caught!

Thanks for sharing!

InasiaJones (31566) 2007-03-15 13:54

Hi Kath,

Great eye to see and capture this magnificient water reflection, quite abstrat but still allowing the viewer to recognize the origin of these splendid colours.

I like the way the pattern remain «hard edged», without gradient or subtility; it’s either blue, red or white, just like the Union Jack flag! Something very British about this great shot!

André