Blue-winged Teal

[Isaac Grant]

Another frame of the very handsome male Blue-winged Teal from March. This species is typically very shy and difficult to approach. I made plans the night before when I heard this male was at a local lake. Got to this spot before first light and laid down on a frozen spit that sticks out onto this lake and waited for the sun to come up and the bird to approach. Got lucky with a few passes while the light was just perfect.

Canon 1DX and Canon 500 f4 ii + 1.4x iii. ISO 800, f 5.6, SS 1/2500. Tripod mounted with legs fully extended.

Processed with DPP 4.6 and PS.

[Bob Smith]

Your effort sure paid off here Isaac. This light is marvelous, a perfect setting for the side feathers--and you got just the right angle of head turn. The hairlike feathers on the back just behind the neck are a nice touch too.

[gail bisson]

No such thing as luck when you do your field craft properly!:w3
Beautiful IQ, POV and light.
You got the perfect HA to allow the light to catch the crown feather colors.
Gail

[annmpacheco]

IQ!!! color palette is gorgeous and your positioning of the duck is superb. Amazing when the exposure is spot on all the wonderful details you can see. I also love the top of the bill!!! Well done.

[Bill Dix]

I loved the earlier frame of this guy, and this one is equally splendid.