Young Wood Duck Hen

[Joel Eade]

1DMKIV
500mm f/4L Hand held
Manual mode
ISO 800
1/2000
f/4

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Joel,

The head angle and expression are really strong and the light streaks are interesting. It might be just me but when something intersects with the head it tugs at my eye. I will say the light streaks are unique and different but with a centered subject and the bright lines wish they were not so visible - lets see what others say. The picture does have a good feel and the expression/gesture is fantastic.

Nice use of light very soft and expressive.

[Declan Troy]

I think you have a drake here. The strong white facial markings ("bridle") are characteristics of male wood ducks. Females have a white eye patch. The trickier ID part is the age. The dull bill some of the feathers point to a young-of-year bird as you concluded. No Wood Ducks around here but yesterday I was seeing just hatched wigeon while you have full grown ducks down there. What a difference a bit of latitude makes.

[Kerry Perkins]

Joel, I love the exposure, detail, color, and dreamy water. Overall a beautiful image. Head angle is spot on for my eye. The bright streaks in the bg are a bit distracting but I don't find that it detracts from the image that much. They could be removed with some PP heroics, but I think the image is strong as presented. I think Delcan is right about the gender, as images I've seen of the females lack the vertical white stripe of the bridle.

[John Chardine]

Super light and great eye contact Joel. Very nicely done.

[Joel Eade]

Thanks for the input guys .... there was a sibling to this bird in the same area that clearly had some green showing up on it's head so I thought this one was female:)

[Kerry Perkins]

Joel, I often get IDs wrong!

[Bob Miller]

Joel....very nice image! The eye being really sharp makes this image for me. The blue streaks of water do not bother me...NICE WORK!