The Molt isn't Pretty.

Wood Duck in it's summer coat.

1/1000, iso800, f5.6, 500mm (300 w/ 1.7tc), D800, HH

DSC_5618bp2.jpg

Beautiful setting with these water reflections.

Laurent

Hi Dan, great HA here, and although scruffy, the colours are all there to see, and well exposed. Love the ripples moving out infront of the chest. As the focus is on the wood duck's molting, I would come up from the bottom, as the reflection is not too clear.

Stunning colours, also love the ruffled feathers Dan. I like the head angle too and the darker BG works, nice pop well done.

Good colours
i love the head angle and the details on the bird, the water looks fantastic
super image

Nice capture of the Woodie's beauty fading and lovely water. At least he can look forward to regaining his splendor next season...unlike the human species. :w3

Dan:

He is a bit scruffy for sure! Just makes us appreciate his full breeding plumage the more.

The color temp is a bit cool, could consider warming it up a bit. I agree with Stuart about the reflection, and would consider cropping up to just above the reflected eye, at least.

Cheers

Randy

This is how I look with my make-up off!!!:bg3:
Usual great IQ and I really like the water ripples on this one.
I would make this a bit more of a pano crop taking some off the bottom but as I play this critique role more and more i realize this really is a personal preference issue most of the time!
gail

Excellent IQ, nice pose and nice colours, Dan. The bird does look scruffy. I usually don't see them this time of the year, so this molt is new to me.

You've made your ugly duckling seem beautiful with this nice frame. Good sharpness, and I like the detail in both blacks and whites. I agree with the cropping and color temperature suggestions. Here's a repost.

Attachment 129921

Thanks for the comments.
Doug,
I like the repost, it is warmed up (I am a bad judge of color).
I appreciate you taking the time.

nice image Dan,like Dougs repost,

Yikes, a few feathers sure makes a difference. The techs and detail are great as usual. I like the repost. Show me him in a few months. Before and after :)

I dig the plumage! You could do a molting ducks workshop I think:bg3: Due to the head angle, I think centering the duck a bit more in the frame would work here too....feels slightly tight on the right side to me. Nicely rendered details here sir.