Male Ruddy Duck

[James Salywoda]

Ruddy Duck
Southern California


A duck species that we don't see much posted here as the male Ruddy is another duck that looks nice in breeding plumage. I don't think I've ever posted a shot of the male.

Nikon D300s AFS 600 F4 1.4 TC
1/800 F8 ISO 800

Thanks For Looking

Jim

[Stu Bowie]

James, lovely relaxed pose, and he seems half asleep with the partially closed eye. I like the pastel blue of the bill, together with the rich reds of the plumage.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Lovely shot, nice low angle. The white on the cheek (not sure what colour profile??) looks a little hot.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

James, loved the head turn and low angle. Nice colors too. This one is on my list but they stay too far out on the water here.

[Greg Basco]

James, nice portrait of this guy, and the browns in the water are a nice touch. Great exposure control here.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Morkel Erasmus]

great colours, mood and light here Jim

[denise ippolito]

James, Nice looking colors in the water. Nice pose and sharp bill.:S3:

[James Shadle]

Jim,
This an outstanding example of a Ruddy Duck, beautiful specimen.
As mentioned the image is sharp, well exposed and the perspective is top-self.
I also like the placement in the frame with one small exception. I feel a little more room behind the Ruddy would improve an already
excellent photograph.

[Doug Brown]

Sweet light, low angle, and very sharp. Love the raised tail feathers. I'd move the bird slightly to the left in the frame, leaving a bit more room behind the bird.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful! Love the colours and the low angle. The tiny wake in front is subtle but very nice. I agree with a bit more room behind, and the image feels like it could use a tiny bit of CCW rotation?

[John Guastella]

Great image of my favorite duck (they just seem to have a comedic personality - apologize for the anthropomorphic characteriztion!).

On my monitor, the entire head seems to need some burning in, particularly the white patch (I shoot these birds all the time, so I know how tricky it can be getting the darks bright enough without blowing that white patch).

John