Lesser Scaup Portrait.

[Daniel Cadieux]

From last spring. While lying flat at the edge of a pond I called in a few males with audio, with this female being equally as curious. She posed perfectly in the early morning light.

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/1250s., f/8, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, FF.

[Isaac Grant]

This is beautiful. Love the light and the details. Plus how the bird looks against that beautiful blue water. Hate to sound like a broken record but I just can not get anywhere near one of these birds in NY. Am about to drive down to Maryland to get an opportunity to photograph these guys (and gals) and a few other basically impossible species in the New York City area. I'd be thrilled to get a shot like this.

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

She looks very nice, detailed, well exposed, perfect head angle ,low shooting angle, fine background.
Might consider removing the lower catch light.

Cheers

Randy

[John Mack]

Great light here and a very nice pose. The low angle is also a plus. What are you using for playing calls?

[Allen Sparks]

Beautiful frame Daniel. Bird really pops against the blue and details are great.

[gail bisson]

I love the POV and the light.
Great color blue in the BG.
Another vote to remove one of the catchlights,
Gail

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I would not mind it tighter as well, from right and above, but probably just a touch.
A gorgeous portrait Daniel!
I don't honestly know why, but sometimes I remove a second catchlight, and at other times I do not. Go figure! :)
TFS!

[stuart wanuck]

nice well done