Northern Shoveler "IN Golden Water"

[James Salywoda]

Northern Shoveler
Southern California

This is really a gorgeous duck species in great light.

Nikon D300s AFS 600 F4 1.4 TC
1/1250 F8 ISO 500

Thanks For Looking
Jim

[Norm Dulak]

Hi Jim.

This is an interesting, sharp image of an interesting bird! And I like the subdued background, that highlights the beautiful colors of the bird.

My suggestion would be to clone out the white specks on the face of the bird, and to eliminate the blueish cast fore and aft of the bird in the water. I would also crop out about 25-30% of the water below the bird.

A quick repost respectfully provided here shows the effect that my suggested changes would produce.

TFS.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely colours and light, Jim. Good low angle. I like Norm's suggestion of cropping from below but probably wouldn't take quite so much off - I would also be interested in a bit more behind and in front to create a pano type crop if available.

[Bill Dix]

Beautiful, Jim. I personally think the water spots on the cheek, and the blue ripples, give the image some life. And I like the crop as presented -- MAYBE just a bit off the bottom and add a bit to the left, but not much of either; or leave as is. What draws my eye is the catchlight in the center of the pupil, and I wonder if it's a distraction to anyone else, given the nice bright eye of the bird. But it is natural, and shows you had the light directly behind you, so probably leave that as is too.:S3: I wish I could catch one of these fellows in such lovely full adult plumage.

[Sid Garige]

I am thinking of packing my bags and taking a trip to California Jim. :)

[denise ippolito]

James, Beautiful feather detail and nice exposure. A beautiful complimentary BG. I agree w/ Tony regarding Norm's repost.:S3:

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Yeah ! The duck looks lovely in this light . Super shot !!

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Great light, exposure and sharpness as well as a beautiful background (perhaps a bit noisy). Much prefer the composition in the original than the repost. JR

[Vivaldo Damilano]

What a beauty, colours and light are really amazing. I also prefer the original but would crop just a little off the bottom TFS :D

[James Salywoda]

Thanks Everyone! I appreciate the work Norm here is my take a bit off the bottom. How does this look?

[Norm Dulak]

Thanks Everyone! I appreciate the work Norm here is my take a bit off the bottom. How does this look?

Thanks Jim! I like that! :bg3: It's just ducky!

[Stu Bowie]

James, your repost looks good, and just love the multi colours through the shoveler. Sharp, and what a killer BG.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

James, liked your repost. Nice low angle, Bg and light. You did a great job with the whites...so hard on this bird.

[Pieter de Waal]

James you have such colourful Ducks over there. This is a beauty with lovely exposure and detail. Like your repost with a little off the bottom, I would'nt crop any more.

[James Salywoda]

Thanks for the comments everyone

[Charles Scheffold]

James, I like your repost. The colors on this duck are fantastic. Love the way the ripples in the water convey movement.

Charles