Gliding along (Hooded merganser hen)

[Grace Scalzo]

In stark contrast to Alan's colorful wood duck, I give you a female hooded merganser, very lovely in her own right. For the time being, the hens and drakes are quite content to remain in groups of their same sex. That will change as the days lengthen in a month or so.

1/1000, f10, iso800
canon 1Dmk4, 500 f4 + 2.0tc + lowered tripod

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely image with a nice low angle and HA. Like the monotones. Wish it weren't quite so centered.

[Jack Breakfast]

Nice and simple, easy to look at, with some great light on her face. I would chop some off the left or add some canvas to the right. Quite often I love centered subjects, but in this case I'm longing for a shift.

[John Cooper]

She is indeed very cute Grace and captured in some beautiful light. I would just like a little canvas off the left or additional on the right just to make the subject less centered.

[dankearl]

I think it would look nice moved back a bit, but great exposure, sweet light and one of the prettiest female ducks I think.

[Shawn Zierman]

Gorgeous! The harmony in color between the water and the hen is wonderful.
Subject placement in the frame makes perfect sense to me, as it looks like you
have created visual balance with the wake, the duck, and the slight push of water
in front of the duck. Light angle and head angle are perfect.

[gail bisson]

Serene and peaceful.
A sliver more room in front and I deem it perfect!
You have a terrific low POV and IQ and have shown the crest beautifully,
Gail

[Nick Palmieri]

Love the low angle and the love the FG and reflection. Crop already mentioned. nice one Grace!

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Beautiful image of a very nice looking duck! I agree with Shawn (and in my opinion) wouldn't change the composition.

[David Salem]

Very clean image. like the comp as is also. Complementary colors are very nice and great exposure and detail. Great work.

[PhilCook]

That's one very sweet looking little duck, liking her hair style....I like the comp as is as well, just enough wake behind, nicely balanced I think

[Randy Stout]

Grace:

Your hen is well displayed, sharp,well exposed, nice water color. I would probably add a sliver to the right, but you saw my tendency on my latest loon

Cheers

Randy

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Hi Grace, it's a lovely duck. Love the comp, the sharpness and the perfect exposure. Great job with the 2x, which tends to get ignored in my bag.