Common Merganser and water drop

[gail bisson]

Canon 1D MKIV
F 500 and 1.4X
ISO 400, SS 1/1600 , F 5.6 at 5:38PM at the beach in front of our cottage.
I was in the water taking flight shots of terns when 3 mergansers flew in. They are usually so unapproachable but these guys and gals didn't seem to mind me.
I like the water film on top of the head and of course, the water drop.
Cropped "a la Randy Stout"!
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

[Diane Miller]

Oh, man -- I wish I could buy water drops like that!! Gorgeous!

I wonder if all the room on the right is helping? I love the water there, but for me it doesn't quite balance the bird's body. And I do hate it when that happens....

[Nico Steenberg]

Great shooting angle and sharp details, subject is well exposed and the water drop ads to the shot. Well done Gail.

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image Gail! I like the double wave, low angle, HA, IQ and that amazing water drop.

[David Salem]

Very cool looking Image. Your patten pending great low angle and clean techs make this a well balanced shot. The water drop is the icing on an already great shot. The pano crop looks good too. Nice work.

David

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gail, being in the water has really given you such a great angle of capture, with good eye contact. Good detail throughout, especially on the bill. As the lower catchlight seems a touch prominent, I would remove it. The droplets over the body add interest, but the single large droplet falling from the bill takes this to another level. An opportunity well used.

How many sleeps.

[Satish Ranadive]

Gail:
Gorgeous image.Great shooting angle.As usual great colors,details,lights and composition.
Love the water droplet.

Regards,
Satish.

[Varun Bellie]

Gail : Brilliant one , love the level ,details and that single droplet of water makes this special

[arash_hazeghi]

love the water drop, excellent timing. sharp with excellent details. would just move him slightly to the right

[gail bisson]

Thanks everyone for the excellent feedback.
In the repost I moved the bird to the right (Thanks Diane and Arash) and I removed the extra catchlight (Thanks Stuart)
Gail

[Marina Scarr]

Wonderful capture, Gail, and it's nice to see the details here in the serrated beak. The water drop really bumps this one up at least a notch b/c of its size and perfect location. I love the little wave created in front of the bird and it's fun to see wet look. While I prefer the look without the second catchlight, b/c this image focuses on a bird that has obviously just been under water, I think I may have left it in b/c it's part of the story. I would crop the murky strip at the bottom and a little from the left if it were mine just to give it an even more polished look.

[arash_hazeghi]

repost is great

[Karen Forderer]

Wow, what a great photo! I love the wave in front of the bird and the beautiful light. Oh, and the water droplet is wonderful.

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot. Terrific low angle, very nice light, excellent details, and that huge water drop is sweet!
Very well done.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent portrait, Gail. The water droplet really makes it special. Love the details.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great pose and colours and nice water drops, Gail.