Gadwall Preening.

[dankearl]

What most consider a "bland" duck, is actually much more attractive out of water.
1/500
f5
iso400
420mm (300 f2.8 w/ 1.4)
nikon D7000

DSC_6926nx2.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=107791&stc=1&d=1327644357)

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, the focus and sharpness is in the right place, and I like the raised feathers from the preening behaviour. The log looks very slippery due to all the moss on it. :w3Comp wise, if this were mine, I would move him over to the RHS.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Wow, I am surprised too I have never noticed the beautiful colours an this species. I really like this image you have captured some fine details there. I too would consider repositioning the duck to the right, so he has somewhere to look as it were, alternatively if you just flip the image you may consider it job done.

[christopher galeski]

Beautiful image,the colors make this image,nice detail,well done.

[Melissa Groo]

Really beautiful image of this gadwall, lovely textures, patterns, colors. So much to look at here. Wish we could see the eye a tad better. Have you tried lightening it even just a little?

[John Chardine]

Dan- Yes they are amazing ducks, especially like this when they are in fresh plumage. I really like detail in the feathers and the colour tones. Agree with above on crop and with Melissa on lightening. Best bet is to do this from RAW and use the Fill light slider to lighten up the duck. You may also need to selectively lighten the top of head and eye area with the dodge tool.

[dankearl]

Thanks for the comments.
This is why I really enjoy this forum.
Suggestions noted and here is a repost.

DSC_6926nx4.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=107809&stc=1&d=1327679225)

[John Chardine]

I like! Well done on the reprocessing job.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful image Dan!! I dont find these ducks at all I think their feathers and colors are very attractive. With that said, I love the pose you captured here. Excellent detail, I really like the complementary background, and the mossy perch tops it all off. Repost is much better.
Well done.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Dan, the repost is much better. A front view of Gadwall is always nie as it shows off the pattern on the breast. liked the layers of feathers and the pose. you chose a very good shooting angle. well done.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Repost works fro me Dan! Nice job following the suggestions!

[gail bisson]

Repost is excellent.No nits from me. Lightening the eye really made this picture shine,
gail

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Repost addressed all my suggestions. Nice image.