A close and cozy encounter with a wood duck on the fence

[Jack Breakfast]

Greetings again, fine people
The wood ducks last month and in October were more than brazen, and I spent many wonderful hours just sitting there, being near them, photographing them, and feeling very peaceful and delighted indeed. Anyhow, here is a picture I like perhaps not only because of this sweetiebird but also because of the little dips in the stone and fiery leaves at picture's bottom. The cozy hen is sashaying towards me along the stone wall that runs the perimeter of one of our duckponds. Me, I was sitting in the grass with my camera. Speaking of which, it was a 7D with the 70-300L at 300mm, iso800, 1/800, f5.6. As always, I'll be glad and excited to hear your opinions, suggestions, thoughts, rebukes, and approbative cheers (where applicable). This is roughly 90% of the original. What about adding some canvas to the bottom, I wonder?

[John Cooper]

I like this head-on pose Jack and the excellent feather detail of the duck. The light-toned subject is well portrayed against a soft, darker BG and IMO the narrow sliver of rock at the bottom anchors the image nicely.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot Jack!!
Excellent pose and great head angle. I really like the dark background, great comp, and nice details.
Very well done.

[dankearl]

Nice IQ Jack.
The dark BG is nice and the DOF works very well.
Nice work.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jack, good DOF, and I like the HA in this. The feather detail looks good, and I would create more of a vertical comp with a little off the LHS, and add to the bottom, as you thought you should.

[Greg Oakley]

Lovely melancholy feel to this image Jack - agree that a little more on the bottom would be nice,
Cheers Greg

[David Salem]

I like the head angle on this and the IQ looks great. Her head pops nicely against the dark BG. Nice work.

[christopher galeski]

very nice Jack,love that dark BG,good detail in the feathers,nice pose.thanks.

[Jack Breakfast]

Many thanks for the encouraging words, folks. Greg, I agree that there is a melancholy feel to this picture, although I can't say why...I'm glad you also view that as a good thing...

[Arthur Morris]

Interesting angle to the bird and interesting perch for a duck! A bit more room below the bird would have been nice.

[Jack Breakfast]

Agree with all RE more room below. I do have other frames that fulfill such but her pose isn't quite as sparky. I believe I can add some canvas if I need to...thanks for writing in, birdlovers...