Handsome beggar

[laurie golden]

Wood ducks live at a local park and are fed by lots of visitors so are very tame. The challenge is to get them alone and before they climb out of the water and start eating the cracked corn. Photo taken late in the day with a little light coming through the trees.

Nikon D800, 200-400 f4 lens at 400mm
ISO 800, f4.5, 1/200 sec
Manual exposure
25% crop

[Nick Palmieri]

The water is beautiful. I really like the low angle. I wish the head was turned a bit more but nice as presented.

[Tim King]

I like the vertical highlighting in the water and how the WODU is following it. Very nice.

[David Salem]

Great water color and a nice drake woody. Exposure looks good and the duck is full of detail. I too wish for more of a head turn but beautiful non the less. Well done..

[PhilCook]

Have to love that gold color, and the duck is beautiful as well, certainly different than what we call wood ducks here. Very nice indeed, wonder also how it may look cropped to vertical with the greener water on the right cropped out

[Joe Senzatimore]

Yes to a little more head turn , but still a fine capture with a great fall feel.

[laurie golden]

Thank you all for your comments. I agree that a vertical crop might be nice, I was just to fond of those green swirls on the right.

[Shawn Zierman]

What a magical water canvas to capture this beautiful duck on.
The thumbnail does not do the image justice.
I enjoy it as is and would not change a thing.

[Petros Petrou]

This is a great image. Great exposure, detail and the water colors make this a special capture. Well done.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

The subject is spectacular, but the dual color in the water is just awesome. I liked the thumbnail, and I like the full sized even better!

[dankearl]

The crop is perfect, I would never get rid of the green swirls.
Water is beautiful and I have no problem with the HA, Looks fine to me.
Lovely photo.

[Greg Basco]

Laurie, I love the reflections all the way around the canvas. Your framing is great for my taste. I am fine with the head position. The one eye gives you good contact for an engaging feel to the image.

Cheers,
Greg

[Gary Hamilton]

Another vote in favor of the composition as is, especially keeping those beautiful green swirls. Very nicely done, Laurie.

[Robert Holguin]

Beautiful shot.
Love the colors and the texture of the water.
Great pose and terrific comp.
Well done.