An Odd Duck

[Bill McCrystyn]

D300 70-200 1.7X F/4.8 1/1000 EV -0.33

I had never seen one of these Muscovy and was very surprised to see it in Arkansas. That is one big duck. I thought at first it was a mutant Goose or something. :D I liked the way the light seem to give character to his face. If you were about to tell me I should have used fill flash - don't. I like exsisting light photography and I like shadows. I do wonder if it is not a little tight in the frame but I wanted in close on that ugly mug.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Nice find and mood. I find the crop too tight and the BG a bit busy. The bird looks a bit soft on my monitor and I would tone down the highlights on the chest.

[Bill McCrystyn]

I would have to agree with your critiqe Axel. It was a low light (f/4.8) forest setting with a stray beam coming through the trees. I focused on the eye and re-composed. I probably should have thought to go to ISO 1600/3200 to get a better ap. I think I will try getting a verticle out of this to relieve the confined feeling. Thanks.

[Bill McCrystyn]

I think this verticle format helped.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Good crop idea, I like it better this way.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Really like the repost Bill. Very nice detail in this capture and excellent eye contact. thanks for sharing.