Red-billed Teal take-off

[Chris van Rooyen]

Another image from our local water purification plant, where I have become a very regular visitor. Quite a substantial crop, about 70%.

Camera Model: NIKON Z 9
Date/Time: 2022:10:04
Shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 3200
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Processed in DxO Pure Raw2, LR & PS

[Dorian Anderson]

This is great. I'm digging the full sun and cracking color! Pose is great, and I think the details held up well given the crop. Engaging pose, and the water drops coming off the feet are a nice touch. I'd clone out the reflected catchlight. But a really nice frame!

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Chris, nice work, the bird looks great. I love the droplets coming off the legs, pure background, nice colors and detail, wonderful image. Thank you for sharing.

[Colin Driscoll]

Lovely shot with great DOF, whole bird in focus from tip to toe.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Pretty much spot on good pose and a few water droplets too!

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Chris ... nice one all around .
The flying pose is very cool , as are the tones and colors ...
Shame that you had to crop that much .

TFS Andreas

[Chris van Rooyen]

Hi Andreas, Dorian, Joseph, Colin and Jonathan

Thanks for taking the trouble to view and comment on the image - appreciated. I guess a large crop is not ideal, but if the IQ holds up, I'm OK with it. That is the joy of having 45MP to play with.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent IQ for that crop! Like you say - 45MP has its advantages indeed. Kinda wish for a less blotchy upper right corner, but all else checks my boxes.