American Wigeon drake

From Cape May several days ago.

D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 1250, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual, Gitzo and Mongoose.

Holy Moly! This is one heck of a good shot!
Love everything about it.
Great grasses in the BG that really add to the image without taking away from the tack sharp bird.
My only suggestion would be to move him back a bit to the left in the frame. If you cropped some from the LHS you could also eliminate the bright white area in the grass ( part that looks like an arrow).
Really excellent image. well done Bill.

Thanks Gail. I wish I had more room on the right. I was watching him sitting on the water, and (of course) the instant I took my eye off him, he took off. I quickly acquired focus and fired off a half-dozen frames, but my panning didn't quite keep up with him. I debated stealing some vegetation from the left and pasting it in on the right, but thought better of it. But I could crop a bit tighter from the left to move him back in the frame. I'll take a look.

Here's a repost with him just a bit further back in the frame (slightly larger crop).

The original is nice. the repost is nicer, Bill. Lowe the up wing pose, shooting angle which is perfect. Nice muted colors overall.

Egads! What a super flight image, Bill. I too think you've captured everything you would want in this great picture. Love all the detail and that one droplet falling. Simply outstanding.




Geoffrey

Oh boy Bill, you really nailed that one. Great flight pose, and lots of habitat without it being distracting.

My thoughts were right with Gail. Terrific image in every way except wanted to see the duck out of the middle and your RP looks great.

Hi Bill, great flight pose here, and the Wigeon really pops from the BG. Yep, you really nailed this Bill . Congrats.

Repost rocks. Love the flyer and his habitat. Only tiny thing that I can suggest is adding a bit of vibrance to his green head. Wish this was mine!

Bill sir, I am ready to take another snap, the moment handsome comes out of frame.
Fantastic flight shot. love it.

Regards,
Satish.

Fantastic shot Bill. No nits from me. All 'fits' well. Details and colours are beautiful.

Will

Excellent wing position, eye contact, and sharpness. I like the repost, but I would be tempted to boost clarity, contrast, and saturation on the bird (in particular the head). Here's a repost where I did just that.

Attachment 156056

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. And thank you Doug for taking the time to repost. It really makes him pop.

One of your best Bill! I think you have another IOTW here.

Thanks Jim. This was one of those rare moments that made me smile the instant I clicked the shutter.

I must have missed this or just looked on my phone but I had just gone to the home page and opened this and I had to tell you how nice of a IF shot this is.
Doug's little boost is what I thought it needed and I love the wing position and great head and body angle. I agree with Jim, One of your best!!

Thanks David.