Bufflehead Bow Wake

[dankearl]

Female Bufflehead up close.
Flight settings but I don't pass up a nice swimming photo when they get close.

1/3200, iso1000, f6.3, 600mm, D800, HH

DSC_4248bp2.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=123671&stc=1&d=1358646597)

[Randy Stout]

Dan:

Great close-up, really like the bow wave climbing up her chest. NIce catchlight, head turn, water colors.

Good shooting angle.

I could see a bit more room to the right because of her gaze direction.

It would take a very good flight shot to beat this one!

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

This is one rocking image Dan!
The IQ is over the top. The light and see through bow wave are excellent.
The feather detail on the head is incredible.
I would smooth out the whitish blob in ULC,
Gail

[Grace Scalzo]

Dan, Your exposure is so perfect allowing for excellent details in this pretty female. The bow wake and the crystal clear water are an interesting element. I wouldn't mind a slightly looser composition, but that's just my taste. Blob noted. :w3

[Julie Brown]

Dan, this is gorgeous. I love the detail, color and sharpness. What a little cutie she is!

[Randy Stout]

Dan:

I liked this so much I came back for a second look. I felt there was a slight greenish cast, particularly noticeable to me on the breast and head. I tried to clean that up a bit. PRetty subtle, but I thought it was more accurate based on the females I have seen (usually at a far distance unfort.)

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

Thanks Randy and I can see the difference and the repost looks very nice.
You should have erased the White blob Gail mentioned!
I saw that the minute I posted it.
Thanks for taking the time, I will revisit the photo for another go at it.
By the way, I don't know if I should do this, it kind of shows how using the D800
is kind of cheating.
Here is the FF, I was not really that close, I was waiting for her to fly!
This is out of camera, only PP is sharpening for web presentation.

DSC_4248ff.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=123677&stc=1&d=1358650448)

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot Dan.
Excellent pose, lovely warm light, really like the comp, and superb details.
That is a pretty amazing camera, gut still takes a talented photographer behind it.
Well done.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, showing your original just shows how well the crop has held up. exposure and sharpness both good, and I really like how we can see right through the water on the breast. I like what Randy has done with the cast. In your OP, I would just take a bit off the top.

[Randy Stout]

Dan:

I wish you hadn't shown the original! The crop quality of that camera is pretty amazing. Here I am limping along with only 16 MP. I feel positively handicapped :t3

Seriously, it is pretty darn impressive.

Cheers.

Randy

[Nick Palmieri]

Very nice. I love the little wave of water riding up his chest.