A Preening Scaup

[dankearl]

A Lesser male, they can be attractive in the right settings I think.

1/1000, iso1000, f6.3, 420mm, D800, HH

002_4267np1.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=138150&stc=1&d=1393203307)

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Dan! I like the preening pose, sharpness, calm water, BG and composition.

[Grace Scalzo]

Really lovely, Dan. Was the light flat and even? it looks perfect for this hard-to-expose for duck. Did you blur the background in your post processing?

[dankearl]

Thanks, Grace.
Light was usual Oregon Overcast, I haven't shot under iso1000 for months!
I used Topaz NR on the BG.
I bought it to do star photos but am really liking it.
You can lay it on as heavy as you want, This may be too much?
It is a nice product for those of us who are always shooting in low light.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good preening pose here and you got some really appealing colours surrounding the scaup. The eye looks great, as do the fine details on the head. As for the NR / blurring....it looks awesome on the BG but may be much for the FG (especially the reflection).

[Holger Leyrer]

Wonderful quiet image. Perfect low angle and exposure control. Nice BG and FG. Great !!

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks for the explanation, Dan. I read what Daniel said about the foreground and agree, it looks a bit unnatural. The details and color on that duck are stunning.