Mallard Drake EDO Spillway

[Randall Farhy]

More of an environmental image than a pure in flight/jump shot, I wanted to keep the locale recognizable as part of an ongoing series I'm working on. Taken in the winter of 2011, aprox. 2pm. Ernie Day Overlook, Piscataway NJ.

Canon 7D, 400mm F5.6L HH ISO 400, 1/2500, F5.6 manual mode AF Point Expansion 3 shot burst.

DPP conversion>Denoise5> (Detail areas on bird masked 50%) LR5 for Adjustment, output and selective sharpening, tweaks. .16 CW rotation, cropped 40% (60% frame intact). Topaz clarity layered at 35%. Output via LR5 sharped for screen low setting.

As always, C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[Grant Yang]

It's a wonderful shot with great sharpness and lighting. I also like the pose a lot. I'm not sure the locale qualifies as recognizable though.

[Marina Scarr]

Terrific wing position with great colors. The sparkling water is fun. Although some of the BG is distracting, I find that the image as a whole works quite well and your comp works nicely.

[Robert Kimbrell]

A very well composed shot. I like processing, it really gives the bird nice separation form the water. I like the background, but also find it pulling my attention away form the bird.

[Raybel Robles]

Great image with terrific sharpness. Well done!

[Iain Barker]

Quite a different shot with the background Randall.
I do find the the highlights in in the water a little distracting but agree that overall it works.

[Satish Ranadive]

Fabulous image. Beautiful colors,very nice wing position. I like the tight crop and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Randall Farhy]

Thanks for the comments and for stopping by! The spillway area where the ducks tend to congregate leaves a lot to be desired for BG options, especially during the winter months, but it's something I'll continue to work on.

[Rob Melone]

Really like the angle!