Autumn's round the corner, Northern Pintail Drake

This was taken at Bosque at a very sweet spot that did not disappoint as the ducks flew in to roost for the evening. I chose a pano bc I love the habitat and colors. I am at a loss in terms of color balance, color cast, etc, ... I don't know where to start and I haven't done my homework yet to make some gains. I looked for Artie's Digital Basics II and found I had only purchased Digital Basics I, so I invested in II. I mention that in case someone suggests studying Artie's work. I have made some gains but continue to study... Also, what is the general "rule" regarding blacks in the image that are not the bird? Do they also need to be exposed properly or left as is... Here, no under or over exposure. Thanks

DPP, cropped, DE, sharpening, NR

1Dx
600mm II
ISO 800
6.3
1/2500

AMP,

Thanks for the plug. SH, colors, and HA all good to me. My two wishes are that the bird had been higher in the frame, away from the black band, and that the wings were fully raised. All in all, well done.

with love, artie

Nicely lit flight shot with a nice natural background, tack sharp duck!

Very nice. Really like everything about this one. Well done.

Everything looks good to me. I agree with Artie's comments. If the Bird is a little higher then it would have been a better image.

Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful sharp and detailed frame of this most elegant of waterfowl, Ann. I do find the black streak very distracting (regardless of exposure!) and also wish the bird was a bit higher to avoid it.
Still a very solid frame with that warm light.

Lovely frame, Ann. As Dorian says, this is the most elegant of the ducks, and this image shows him nicely in lovely light. Sure, a fully raised wing might have been icing on the cake but no deal breaker. I don't mind the dark band very much. I first thought that taking a bit off the left side for a more conventional crop would help to eliminate some of it; but when I tried a browser crop I decided it's just right as you have presented it.