I was not preening!

[Tom Rambaut]

This Hard Head was very busy preening then noticed me sitting on the waters edge.

1d MK 4, 700mm, 1/1000 @ 5.6, ISO 800, Manual mode and on a tripod.

Thanks Tom

Just noticed the mark in the BG to the left of the bird. Proberbly would clone this out in a redo!

[Jeff Dyck]

Nice light and feather detail Tom. It's always tough to get that head angle when the birds are preening - well done here! I agree that you might dodge that mark on the left (and perhaps the dark blue one on the right edge?). Perhaps a little tighter crop?

[PhilCook]

The light is showing off the nice sheen on the feathers, this species normally look a little dull, but you have brought out the best in it I think. Nicely composed in the frame I feel, and like the natural behavior

[Rachel Hollander]

Nice light, detail and sharpness. Well done.

TFS,
Rachel

[Melissa Groo]

Wow, excellent preening pose, Tom, to get the head almost parallel to the sensor like that. I love how the eye is almost the same color as the water so it kinda looks like you're looking through a hole to the water beyond. Sweet light and colors.

[Marina Scarr]

Really terrific details here and I like the pose.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tom, great low perspective, and the light has brought out the colours very well. Overall, great detail and sharpness too.

[Tom Rambaut]

Thanks to those that stopped by!