Common Merganser Taking Off.

[Karl Egressy]

This is the third frame from the moment of take off.
Full frame.
The top left whitish area is the ice/snow still was covering most of the Marina.
Thanks for looking.

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 500 f4.0 L IS
ISO 400
f5.6
1/2500 s

[Doug Brown]

Nice one Karl! Whites are nicely controlled and your sharpness is good. Like the wings-forward pose too. I might crop a bit off the bottom of the frame and go for more of a pano crop since the bird is stretched so far forward.

[Walker Noe]

Nice frame. Details look good, exposure right on, etc. Well done. I agree with rethinking the crop.

TFS
Walker

[Jonathan Ashton]

That is a stunner! So sharp wonderful colours and I especially like the legs going forward and backwards.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice one Karl! Whites are nicely controlled and your sharpness is good. Like the wings-forward pose too. I might crop a bit off the bottom of the frame and go for more of a pano crop since the bird is stretched so far forward.

Thanks Doug, thank you all.
I took off a little from the top and more from the bottom.

I changed it again after reading Grace's comment.
Now the top remained and more was taken off from the bottom.
Thanks Grace.

[Grace Scalzo]

Funny, I was really liking the top with that hint of ice. Personally, I'd go for a crop from the bottom and leave the top in tact. That being said, it sure is a great frame with that take off pose. Your ducks this winter are a treat to see.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the action, running take off pose, sharpness and composition in pane #5. Very well done Karl!

[David Salem]

Another great shot of this handsome duck taking off. I like the re-post best. Well done Karl

[gail bisson]

Pane #5 is excellent Karl. I am glad you cropped out that bright highlight that was at the very top of the frame. Exposure looks good and I know how difficult it is to expose these ducks.
fun running pose,
gail

[Norm Dulak]

Very nice, Karl. The repost is even better than the excellent OP, and you've maintained good feather definition throughout the wide tonal range.

[Bill Dix]

Great running takeoff and wing position. Best in the repost.

[Marina Scarr]

Karl, you're killing me with your duck flight images this season!!! This one is a stunner. Love the running pose and the kicked up water. The extension of the neck is a nice plus. You really nailed this one.