Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks from Viera Wetlands this weekend.

I was surprised to get these two in the same plane and facing each other - almost a reflection. Flash is providing a good portion of the illumination on the birds with the shutter speed chosen to give the correct ambient light exposure. Even though I use Manual most of the time, if I am just photographing against a water or sky background pre-dawn, I will use +2 as a starting point in AV Automatic.

The eyes were worked to remove the steel eye (Quick Mask selection 1: select eye, de-select the catchlight, Hue/Saturation adjustment and desaturate and reduce lightness to make black except catchlight; QM selection 2: select catchlight, Hue/Saturation adjustment, desaturate and lighten catchlight). I also saturated the legs a bit more and de-saturated the bills a bit - again using QM and Hue/Saturation adjustment.

I opened up the black-belly a bit but did not go overboard as I like it dark as presented. Cleaned up a lot of junk in the water. Comment welcome.

Canon 1D Mark III, 600mm + 1.4xTC (840mm)
1/160 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Av
Metering: Evaluative
Exp comp: +1 2/3
ISO: 800
Flash: External E-TTL
Flash exp comp: -1/3

Looks excellent Robert !!! Both the tech and aesthetic !!! Unusual having the two in such position with that beautiful smooth water bg !!! Big Congrats !!!!

congrats Robert, really nice....the comp and the cleanliness of the image

i have looked at this one about four times now. couldnt decide what to say. i love the compo and that you got two identical head angles. it is very clean all around. it almost looks like a painting. i like it more and more everytime i see it!!

Like Harold, I had to look at this one several times because it was just sooo good! I decided I love the water's reflection on their breast feathers the most. Incredible image, Robert!

And THANK YOU for the wonderful explanation of how you took this. That helps so much to hear how you lit and exposed this kind of image.

Great to have both in focus. Setting and light are unique. Maybe a bit more contrast and a tad darker overall?