Hen Mallard from Last Evening

[Ed Vatza]

The "perch" is a huge tree stump that washed into the middle of a local stream during a flooding rain.

Image was made about an hour before sunset with the duck actually backlit. I used my Canon 30D and 400mm f/5.6 with 580 EX II flash.

Image was cropped from 3504x2336 to 2920x2336.

1/125sec at f/5.6; ISO 400; EC 0; Flash.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/EdV_02/0803__133.jpg

[Arthur Morris]

Good COMP and head angle. I would get rid of the curved twig and the white stuff above her tail. Face could be lightened a bit. Later and love, artie

[Jonathan Michael Ashton]

For me I would not have guessed you have used flash at all. The background to the right is a little fussy - but that is the way it was. If you wanted to capture the situation as it was it is fantastic, if you feel the need to "improve" then perhaps move a little clutter as Artie suggests.
I think the detail is superb
Jon

[Raymond Barlow]

beautiful image, a very artistic look., I don't mind the clutter on the right, but it might be a little tight overall for my tastes. Well done.

[Linda Robbins]

Nice pose, good composition and sharp detail. I like the cluttered tree stump perch, but agree that the curved oof twig is a distraction.

[Ed Vatza]

Thanks all. I appreciate all your comments and criticisms. I see what you mean about the twig. Otherwise, I have a preference for a nature background so it doesn't bother me a whole lot. I seek to capture nature as it is (and maybe improve on it just a little bit ;)).