Long-tailed duck over wave

Photographed a couple days ago. This species gets most active when the waters are rolling and the winds howling. Tough conditions but fun.

1/3200, f 6.3, iso800
Canon 1dx, 600f4 + 1.4tc + rrs tripod

You might have called this Victory at Sea, for those old enough to remember. The bird is beautifully captured and the wave is stunning. Wonderful light on the bird. I can't tell if the head is a little hot, or whether you could pull a little detail out of the whites.

I think this is superb! Love the wave, the story, the curled tail and wing position.
Can you pull out some more detail out of the whites on the head? Otherwise, no nits from me.
Really like this Grace!

Whoa, did you use a spotlight?
The wave is pretty cool, the hot spots on the duck actually work as they make the duck really pop. I would leave it alone.

Very eye catching image Grace, too suggest a little investigation of the whites on the head.

Grace:

This is a very nice balance of a somewhat smaller subject in the frame, with interest provided by the wave. Nice colors. Yes, perhaps a bit to the bright side on the whites, less noticeable on this smaller subject.

Cheers

Randy

Hi Grace this is a very nice frame . Well done in getting this frame .
Overall i does look well processed with some nice colors . I would temper back on the contrast in the subject , as i think the whites are a tiny bit too white and the blacks a tiny bit too black , but this could be just me .
TFS Andreas

Hi Grace, I just love this pose, as if the LT Duck has just sprung off a gymnastic board and is enjoying the 'throw' through the air - classic. Great flight pose too. I do like how the LT Duck pops from the rough water, as well as seemingly not worried about it. Very well captured.

excellent pose and light, stands out nicely against the pure blue ocean!

TFS

This is one heck of an image, Grace. Love the story behind it and that duck really pops right off of the screen.