Female long tail

[Grace Scalzo]

One of my most favorite sea ducks, this female is beginning to exhibit her breeding plumage. THey will be leaving our waters soon. I like how she is riding the little wave.

Thanks for looking and for your critiques..I value them all.

1/1250, f 10, iso400
Canon 1Dmk4, 500 f4 + 2.0 tc + lowered tripod on dock.

[Marina Scarr]

Love the way she is looking right at you, and that little splash. The dark blue water is lovely and I like the feeling her riding the wave. Believe it or not, we have a LTD down here in Tampa right now. I am hoping to get a photo before it flies back to where it belongs.

[Randy Stout]

Grace:

She is lovely, agree with Marina's comments re: water color, wave.

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

1000mm and this resolution?
The water is very nice, the wave action with the duck surfing and the
light is just superb.
You even got water drops!
Very well done as usual, I would not change a thing.

[gail bisson]

LTD are my favorite waterfowl as well. Nice detail, good HA. No nits from me,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

Nice eye contact and nice looking water, Grace. I should pay them a visit here before they leave.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks everyone. Dan, Santa brought me the new 2x TC (Series 3). I see a big improvement in the quality of images that I can produce with it. Of course, good light, clean air (No atmospheric haze) helps and I work constantly at my long lens technique to maximize sharpness. Plus, you do not see the ones that I delete. :w3

[arash_hazeghi]

sweet light and nice details. good exposure

[Clemens Vanderwerf]

Nice light. Like the slightly raised left wing, and looks like she is surfing down on the wave!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Neat pose and glance-back, and I like the splashing water. Nice subtle colours on the back. I'm normally OK with double catchlights when obviously coming from the water, but here I'm finding the lower one contributing to too much of the pupil being covered...I'd try a version without it.

[Grace Scalzo]

Daniel, what good eyes you have. I didn't even notice that, thanks, will definitely employ your suggestion.

[Robert Holguin]

Beautiful shot. Love the dark blue water color, great timing on getting her on the wave, wonderful light, and great comp.
Well done.