Mallard Posing Like A Swan

[Jeff Sorbie]

I like how this Mallard is posing like a Swan.

A700 + Sigma 120-400mm, 160mm, 1/500, f/6.7, ISO200, Cropped and Lightroom Adjustments

[Arthur Morris]

I always love ducks images like this where you can see the speculum (those light blue feathers). Did you crop this? It could sure use some more room all around. EXP looks OK; the highlights could be toned down just a bit for my taste.

[Jeff Sorbie]

Thanks Arthur. Yes I did do a bit of cropping to this photo to remove some of the BG.

[Fabs Forns]

Very nice colors but the eye does not look sharp to me, maybe because of the double catch light.

[Randy Stout]

Jeff:
Very nice display of the colors here. I like the speculum, and also appreciate the green on the rear, as this area is usually not well seen.

I might be tempted to soften the brightness and contrast of the water in the background just enough to highlight the bird even more. Subtle brush work on an adjustment layer might work nicely.

A very nice capture of a common bird.

Cheers

Randy