Keeper of the Day.

[dankearl]

Wild ducks are just beginning to show up at our local pond.
The Green Herons are always there... Taken yesterday, There is
a group of us who take and send each other our
"keeper of the day", from Crystal Springs duck pond.
This was mine.
D500, 420mm (300 w/ 1.4), f4, 1/2500, iso1100
1DS_3507bp3.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=183255&stc=1&d=1568989429)

[Aditya Sridhar]

Nice shot Dan! I love the full downstroke. The detail on the wings is stunning - almost looks like plate armor. The green background complements the birds really well. The head though is slightly blurred unfortunately. This bird, I imagine, is difficult to photograph in flight, so well done! TFS

[dankearl]

Thanks for the comment Aditya...
Here is a 200% crop of the RAW, I am not sure why you think the head is blurred?
1DS_3507-2.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=183259&stc=1&d=1568992094)

[Aditya Sridhar]

That's weird...The 200% crop is certainly very sharp. Not sure why the OP seems blurred on my screen :bugeyed: I'll look into it. Apologies

[Alex Becker]

Great pose and BG. Some of the yellows are hot (legs and on the head) and I would address those back at the RAW if they aren't blown as it's a really nice and that just detracts a bit. Love that we can see the feet so clearly. TFS

[Bill Dix]

A keeper indeed. Nice wing position, flight angle and green BG.

[gail bisson]

I thought the same thing as Aditya when I saw the OP. The head is sharp but not tack sharp on the OP and although the 200% view is sharper it is not "tack sharp".
Might be worth a bit more sharpening.
But this is still a really good flight shot with a terrific BG, great wing position.
Gail

[greg cowle]

Great pose and colors. I think it is sharp, but based on the 200% frame it was a but underexposed, so the details aren't there in the plumage on the head, perhaps making it seem less sharp. Keeper for sure.

[John Mack]

Solid flight frame. Like the pose and that green background. Composition is right on.