http://www.flickr.com/photos/93828462@N02/8599045056/in/photostream/ is better than http://www.flickr.com/photos/93828462@N02/8599043274/in/photostream/ which I’m sure is frustrating when your subject hides in the the branches. I think I would crop and adjust shadow and highlights. As I go through this more, I lean further toward using a flash more. I think I would do something like this: http://cameraclicker.com/galleries/OtherSites/8599045056_2b391a6f1f_k1.jpg.
I think Scott Kelby was quoting someone else when he said, if you want better photos, stand in front of more interesting subjects. I think the ducks are good. I’m a city boy who has not spent much time on the farm and finds either city or woods and rivers more interesting. Technically, I like low noise, sharp focus, pretty colours, good contrast. As far as composition, there should be something to look at. You could do rule of thirds, fill the frame, leading lines, triangles, or any number of other schemes.
Looking through your photos I see a good one surrounded by not so good ones, and I see that throughout. Some photos like this one, http://www.flickr.com/photos/93828462@N02/8538400472/in/photostream/, leave me wondering what you saw, or if the shutter was released accidentally. I see another similar one with someone hiding behind the bush, but I would not post it either, normally, because it does not really appeal to anyone outside the subject person’s family. I think the most recent batch may have a higher percentage in focus, which is a good thing.
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