Tufted Duck

Hi

I took a visit to a local pond recently where there are a few Tufted Duck in residence. I took a few photos and noticed a narrow yellow / orange reflection on the water caused by a shrub on the far bank and so lined up with it and waited for a duck to pass over.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...uck5200949.jpg

Taken with 7D and 500mm and 1.4TC. Taken at ISO 400 -0.3EC F6.3 at 1/640s.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Compacy Flash card filled New Year.

Cheers

Rich

Gorgeous shot Rich! Love the wing flap, the eye contact, the beautiful water colour, and perfect exposure! Wish you a merry christmas as well and hope you'll have a productive (photographic) 2010.

A real 'wow shot' Rich. Loved the pose, colors and the eye contact. Very good job with exposing the blacks.

You found just the right bush to make this a real keeper! Great sharp eye and wing flap. Well done. And Merry Christmas.

Fantastic image !! Awesome low angle, pose, colours - really stunning.
Does this version look good on your monitor? Opened it up a bit using levels and S/H as well as added some canvas to the sides.
Merry Christmas!

Smashing shot man! Love the bg and the wing position! I wish for the tuft to show a bit more but this is great!

I was so taken with the shot I wouldn't have picked it up myself, but I think Ofer's tuning does bring it more alive - or "open it up".

Exceptional shot, Rich. Just beautiful light and color.

Thanks for the comments. I prefer Ofer's version which has more 'pop' and many thanks for taking the time for taking it in to PS:). Ofer's version looks very similar to the one I currently have for my Desktop Wallpaper, so I must have played around with that one more than the one I posted here.

Cheers

Rich

Exceptional shot here.

Ofer suggested and showed some things good for it too. Such things are fun to watch and learn from.

Very cool angle, pose, sharpness and BG but the colors put it over the top for me.

I am pleased you like it Rich. I always feel a bit uncomfortable to repost such a stunning image as people can get annoyed but on the other hand this is a critique forum and we are all here to learn from each other.
Cheers! ;)

STUNNING! The exposure was the first thing that stood out to my eye! The re-post maximized your image!

Fabulous image made even better by Mr. Levy. Colors are wonderful.

SPECTACULAR is the word man , Just too good
TFS

What a pose! About as good as it gets! And the water color works perfectly with the colors of the duck.

Love the original !! No nits . Merry Christmas to you too !!

all said above, I love this too..

Beautiful image Rich but I do like Ofer's adjustments. It really shows the irridescence on the head.

This is lovely picture Rich, the BG is stunning and wing position as well as that beautiful smile in the ducks face is good one. Congrats!!

What a very nice shot ! I like BG , real good pose and sharpness .
With best wishes in new year
Babak