Wood duck drake looking pretty

At the ABQ zoo with Doug and Kristin Brown. Thank you both for a fun and memorable day!

Added a little room on the top and toned down the rock perch a bit in post.

1D4, 500mm
1/2000, f7.1, iso 800, manual

All comments appreciated.
Thanks

Wow! Great colors, pose with open mouth, and bg. I like it just the way it is.

Sweet. Love the colors, open beak, and wonderful detail. Nice work.

Beautiful image, love the exposure colours and detail, I think I would add a little more to the top other than than a super shot.

Hi Sid, this just shows that if you position yourself in the right place, you can achieve any shot, in captivity or in the wild. The exposure on the colours is perfect, especially on the head, and you pretty much nailed the sharpness too. Killer BG, and if anything, I would add a touch to the right.

Thanks for the comments, folks.
I should have mentioned that although the pond is in the zoo, these ducks are wild.
Although, being very tame, they are sitting ducks, so to speak :)

Very nice Woody shot. The pose with the crest raised and the mouth open is great. Techs look awesome and the BG is nice and smooth. Well done.

Great looking image Brother, loved the setting and that wonderful looking duck... beautiful shot..

I remember that duck! Terrific pose and excellent detail, not to mention a great lunch beforehand!

Lovely colours and a classical exposure, the bg is amazing
i like the open beak making it special
wonderful image

A real stunner you have here. Love the light, the BG, the rock, the iridescence and that special calling pose.

Amazing capture, love the colors, sharpness and comp.

Love the pose very nice job with this one!

Perfect exposure, angle and a different setting for the Woodie.
Very nice.

Colours and details are out of this world!! Tight in the frame, yes, but that is all...everything else is top notch.

Exposure for a wood duck does not get better than this! Love the BG.

Wow, what a beauty Kiran. Love everything about this image.

Loved it. Superb color and open beak is a plus.

Such a brilliant shot this is, the colors the moods and the everything about this is perfect !!!

Excellent Sid! everything is perfect, light, pose details all there

Beautiful job creating an image at the zoo that doesnt look like an image at the zoo. I love this guy! Great expression and a beautiful bg

Phenomenal shot, Sidharth. Just love everything about it. Perfection is the word.

Beautiful photo, Sidharth...everything about it. The pose is to die for. Fine job.

Thank you all! Appreciate the comments.