Theme- Last Day for -- Down the Barrel

[Randy Stout]

From the local bird sanctuary, this redhead drake had been grazing, and came right at me with a bit of vegetation still stuck in his bill.

D300 600VR 1.4 TC f/7.1 1/1250s ISO 640

Post:; Selective sharpening, minor crop for comp.

The dark mark on his left eye is iris pigmentation, not the nictitating membrane, so I left it in.

Advice and thoughts always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Grace Scalzo]

Perfect for the motif, but a little tight in the frame. :w3 Roman's going to love it.

[Tom Rambaut]

I don't find this tight at all.

This is front-on for sure and I do like the little bit of grass? or whatever coming from the bill.

Overall a nice image of a pretty looking duck.

[Robert Holguin]

I like the crop dont think its tight. I really like the lighting, the head on shot, and the low level shot. Sharp and great colors. The water drops really add to the image. Well done.

[Ofer Levy]

I like the low angle and colours. However, I am afraid this image doesn't work for me - bird is way too big in the frame for my taste and the shallow DOF doesn't help either.

[Steve Canuel]

I like this close up and the way the head is off center of the body. Also like the almost metallic look of the red feathers and the shine on the bill.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Dont know how you managed this one soooo close !!!!! I am counting the feathers !!

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the input, pro and con.

This is tighter framing than I would normally use, but I was playing up the right down the barrel theme, and at least for me, that theme is aided by in your face, tight framing. I do have some canvas to play with, and may revisit it.

I do need to clean up the one really bright specular reflection from a water drop on his back.

Again, I appreciate the honest critiques from everyone!

Cheers

Randy

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great textures and colors Randy and the plant material hanging from the bill adds...Looks really good...Good job

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Randy, you could have entered this in both theme's. :w3 Love the head on angle, focus point spot on, and I do like all the droplets. The hanging piece of weed puts this over the top. Well captured.

[George Cottay]

I think you got the crop just right for the desired effect. It looks as if we are square in the path of a tugboat.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the low angle, colours and complimentary BG. Well done Randy!

[Jim Neiger]

Perfect image for the theme. I like the light and colors.

[Ron Caswell]

Excellent low angle Randy, I guess if I had to choose I would like the grass gone since it keeps my eye moving to it instead of the stare of those eyes. Ron