Eider

Canon 1DX
f/4 500mm with 1.4
f/5.6
1/800
ISO 1600

The Eiders are now returning to my local harbour getting ready for the breeding season ahead. I counted over 100, mostly males last night. This male, which I captured last week, is in almost pristine condition. As the breeding season draws closer the pink coloured feathers on his chest will go a deeper colour. Looks like good times ahead.

Will

Such handsome ducks, I'm sure you are ready for the next little bit with them! Good thing it gave you a head turn as it has swam past you at this point. Are you able to find a spot to lay lower?

Hi Will, excellent exposure on the Eider, and a good a HA too. I like the hint of breeding colours on the chest, and Im glad you have plenty subjects to keep you busy in the coming weeks.

What a beautiful bird, love the colors. As said exposure looks good, judging from the color of the water I think it might have been overcast which would help greatly. Lovely image... thank you for sharing.

Still have not been able to get a proper shot of one of these. I like the cocked tail and how the bird stands out against the brown water. The darks on your bird look too dark and without fine feather details showing well. Can you bring those up some?

Thanks for that guys, much appreciated. Hi Daniel getting lower is an option, but I have to time it with the tide, I am behind a large concrete block, sitting on rocks, when the tide gets yer bum wet, you know its time to move. About 1 hour before high tide is perfect, the sun is behind me at sunset. Hi Isaac, I thought some one would mention the blacks, and I can see where you are coming from. I actually did bring the blacks up, but decided against it, I thought it looked too unnatural. It did show more detail though.

Will

William, nice image, exposure and colors are very nice, good HA, shooting angle doesn't bother me.
Good job.

-Tim