Wood Duck Napping In The Dark.

[Daniel Cadieux]

We're blessed with a good population of cooperative Wood Ducks up here (except during winter of course), and during this time of year they look prime-time. This drake found itself a quiet corner of a local pond to rest. This species' colours do not need any enhancement to ooh-and-aah the folks walking along the trails, but I gotta say that the dark background here really made those stand out even more! A bit of pishing helped to get it to open its eye...and expose its' funky-outlined pupil (some are like this, others have a regular "hard" edged pupil)

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/1000s., f/10, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, FF, NR to the BG.

[gail bisson]

This is a really nice portrait.
The IQ rocks (you do magic with that 7D2) and I love the vrop.
Only suggestion I have would be to blend in/darken the whitish areas of the water above the head.
You nailed the iridescence!
Gail

[Brian Sump]

Daniel, this is incredible. Primarily so, for me, as it is unique and artistic yet super colorful and highly detailed.

Exposed beautifully and the dark bkg adds to the drama.

Fantastic all around, TFS!

[Paul Burdett]

Definitely has the "wow' factor Daniel...a unique perspective, beautiful colours and detail. TFS

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Very Nicely done. I like the portrait and placement of eye in the frame.

TFS

[Bill Dix]

Full-frame on a Wood Duck? You've gotta be kidding. Love the image, especially with the Woodie colors against the dark BG. I only wish our Wood Ducks were just half as cooperative.

[dankearl]

This is great . intimate, perfect color.

[Dorian Anderson]

Creative and lovely. Can't beat this bird on a dramatic, dark BG. Strong details and exposure. Loving the hella close view!

[Randy Stout]

An intimate portrait of one of the most beautiful of birds. Well seen and captured.

Cheers

Randy