After I was pretty - wood duck drake

[Randy Stout]

I couldn't help but work off of Grace's title. :S3:

This drake was imaged in Cleveland. I have lots in the golden water, which looks great, but wanted to try for a bit different look.

D700 600VR 1.4 TC 1/1600s f 7.1 ISO 800 Gitzo,Wimberley, flat on the ground

Post: Selective sharpening, water cleanup, small crop for comp.

In a perfect world, would prefer a bit more head turn our way, but felt the eye contact was so good that it still worked.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Ofer Levy]

Very nice! Lovely light and colours. I see no problem with HA - looks just right to me.

[dankearl]

One of your best I think Randy. Just sharp as it gets, great water and exposure.
It could be turned a bit more toward you, but very nice as is,

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, lovely colours showing up here, and both your angle of capture, and HA work well. You pretty much nailed the sharpness too. I like how you have shared your different water colours at different locations. :w3

[Satish Ranadive]

Marvelous creation. Lovely light and wonderful colors. Loved the great details on bird and it's colors.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Absolute KO great image...... now just one tiny point very long lens plus TC does this mean it was taken from a slightly higher angle than is optimal? I know this is a bit picky but had the angle been lower I suspect it could have been even better.

[Melissa Groo]

Wowee, this looks wonderful Randy! Love the reflection, the eye contact, the colors! Great job.

[Jim Buescher]

You sure came away with some winners this year at North Chagrin and this one's no exception, one of your best IMO. Love the spotlight look and the more neutral-toned water helps to show off the ducks fabulous colors and details.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Killer image...the head's colours pop right off the dark BG. Nothing wrong with the HA either. Really well done!

[Doug Brown]

Beautiful shot Randy! Perfect head turn, fantastic water color, and a textbook exposure. Cute title too. Well done!

[Tony Whitehead]

Super job, Randy. Love that water and plumage detail with iridescence.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the kind thoughts.

Jonathan - I was as low as I could go, tripod flat on the stone deck. Would have liked a lower option, but then you start to lose the quality of the reflections, so always trade offs.

Cheers

Randy

[Robert Holguin]

Wow!!!! Very beautiful image, love the water color, great pose, and the reflection is just stunning.
Well done.

[Jim Crosswell]

Beautiful image Randy! I like the reflection, sharpness, water texture and composition.

[Josh Clark]

Great Wood Duck from North Chagrin Randy. Excellent exposure throughtout on this guy and the near perfect reflection is always an added bonus.