Fall Color Wood Duck

[dankearl]

Taken this morning, fall color comes late in the Pacific Northwest, in fact this was the only bush in color
at my local pond and I just sat and waited for ducks to swim in front of it.
An hour or so to get a few photos. This is a crazy hobby at times!

1/320, iso1600, f5, 500mm (300f2.8 w/ 1.7tc) D800, HH

DSC_2557bp.jpg

[Marina Scarr]

This is a nice image, Dan. However, while I love color more than anything in photos, I feel as though the duck is competing with those reds in this particular case, esp those in the BG. I really love the color in the water though.

[Arthur Morris]

Before I read Marina's comment, I was wishing to see the bird in an all water setting without the stronger background..... Still, I like it a lot for the colors. Go figure. Image design right on. Be right back.

[Daniel Cadieux]

This is beautiful Dan! You saw the opportunity and you waited it out. It paid dividends. Highly appealing image with a wonderflu array of colors!

[Arthur Morris]

A few swipes with a 40% Clone Stamp Tool and a small crop from the top....

[dankearl]

Thanks, Arthur, the toned down BG does look better.
Always nice to get these comments and having someone to take the
time to repost.
Much appreciated, I have a few others, the female Wood Duck looks better in this setting.

[Marina Scarr]

I really like the repost, Dan. What a difference it makes.

[Shawn Zierman]

Helloooo! That repost rocks!!.....mostly. I can see some lines in the upper part of the frame from where the water background canvas
has been extended...but smooth those out and I love the difference between the repost and the OP. I think the reds are refreshing from
the usual goldens, orange, green backgrounds that are frequently seen online from that wood duck hotspot in Ohio....

[Arthur Morris]

No canvas added. Just sloppy cloning by someone too tired :)

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Dan! I like the repost with toned down BG.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, great thinking to wait for the right opportunity here. Wonderful colours throughout, and the wood duck would have been fine by himself. I feel Artie's toned down BG does work better. Still, an opportunity well used.

[David Salem]

Nice shot and great colors. Exposed well and great detail. I too like the repost. not so much red. Nice Work..

[gail bisson]

I do love all the colors in this image. I find that with really colorful BG like this you need to have a "plain" bird so that the BG enhances the bird. I can't wait to see the female wood duck with this BG.
Love the swirly water and the reflection.
Gail