Side view

[Gary Esman]

Hello, thanks for looking. Just getting more practice flight shots. Let me know what you think.

7D, 1/4000, iso:200, f/4, 500mm, HH

Gary.

[Randy Stout]

Gary:

Lots of layers here give the bird a nice sense of depth. Nice wing extension, like the shadow on the rear wing, bright pop of orange from the feet, good head angle,curl of rump feathers.

Well exposed. Crop fits the pose well.

Cheers

Randy

[Matthew Studebaker]

great pose showing off those beautiful white-bordered, blue “speculum” patch in the wing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gary, the colours pop nicely from the lighter BG, and I do like the angled banking angle. If anything, I would blend in the darker areas on top.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Gary,

Looks like you had plenty of light to work with (ISO 200, 1/4000"!) Wonderful capture with nice extension on the wings. I like the separation between the beak and the right wing. Great catchlight too!

I agree with Stu about blending in the darker areas on top.

Miguel

[Bill Dix]

Can't go wrong with Mallards -- they're lovely ducks. I really like the good separation of head from wing, and the wing extension. And the feet. Nice comp.

[dankearl]

Very nice pose and wing position.
Really, one of the most attractive ducks there is, just because they are common
doesn't diminish them for me. A very nice BIF of a colorful duck.
I might erase the smudge at the top of the frame.

[Arthur Morris]

I've always loved the speculum on the drake Mallards and this one does it justice. In addition to all the pluses above I love the shadow of the near wing on the far wing. Way to go!

[Arthur Morris]

ps: I sort of like the dark smudges and for a reason too....

[Gary Esman]

Thanks all for your comments. I am torn whether I like the smudges or not. Make it a great day.

Gary.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I come late to the party but the image is so good, lovely wing pose, ligh and bird.