.....and now a female Goldeneye

[Richard Unsworth]

:o

Found it hard to catch these gals, they seem to dive frequently staying down for 45 secs(I timed 'em). I was lying on my side on the bank for this one.
I wish the light had been more uniform

1/640, ISO 800, Ev +0.67 f 8
40D 100-400 +1.4 TC
Rich

[Robert Amoruso]

Getting low is a good choice Richard. Unfortunately, the light direction and strength is really working against you here. The strong side light has overexposed the left side of the bird and left the head in a mix of sun and shade.

The look over the shoulder can work as you get to see the head and the plumage on the back - try for more DOF to get more of the back in focus.

What would have been best here is frontal lighting as that would have lessen shadows and let you expose for the highlights. I have this problem all the time, I set up on the bank but the one I want never gets in the right light.

[Richard Unsworth]

:p

I am sure birds have a master plan to float around into the wrong positions:)

nothing is clipped though and I do like the water drops!

for these conditions I should have run minus the converter , its limiting me on SS


thanks

[Tony Whitehead]

Nice looking duck but difficult conditions as Robert as commented on. Agree with your advice re removing TC as it would slow focus as well. Critical focus seems to be on the back and the head/eye looks a bit soft but ?is motion blur. Water drops are great.