Don't Forget About me - Hen mallard flaring in for snack

[Randy Stout]

This hen mallard was following her mate in for a chance at the snack corn.

D4 600VR f/5.6 1/3200s ISO 800 Gitzo/wimberley Manual exposure

Post: Selective sharpening, cleaned up a few spot on the ice. Mild vignette to tone down the snow a bit.

This is full frame, but thought about adding a bit of canvas to the right. Thoughts?

Advice and comments alway appreciated

Cheers

Randy

[Doug Brown]

Like the landing pose, nice sharpness, and blue ice. What about cropping a bit off the left and the bottom?

[Randy Stout]

Doug;

Thanks for the input. I certainly could see the crop you proposed. I rather like the look of the ice, but will try a version as suggested.


Cheers

Randy

[Arthur Morris]

Beautiful bird, pose, soft light, and great sharpness. Like Doug, I wish that the bird were a bit back in the frame and I would not mind losing the big of ice behind the far wing. Wonderful underwing detail.

[dankearl]

I agree about moving it back, but the IQ is really nice.
Better Blue ice color than the first one you posted as well.

[Marina Scarr]

Stellar pose on this mallard, Randy, and I like the snow included in the BG which gives the image depth and more story. Love the light, the details, the sharpness. Agree on the crop mentioned above.

[Nick Palmieri]

Great flight position. Nice detail in the bird. I think more room in the front may strengthen it a bit more.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent light, great landing pose, perfect shooting angle, everything worked fine for you, Randy. Great image.

[Satish Ranadive]

Magnificent landing on beautiful blue ice.Love the pose,colors,sharpness,great details and her shadow the ice.

Regards,
Satish.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot Randy.
Love the landing pose, very nice light, excellent details, and exposed very well.
Well done.

[Greg Oakley]

Beautiful image Randy - super light, excellent flight pose and the droplets are a bonus,
Cheers, Greg

[David Salem]

Great pose in this Mallard Randy. Very sharp and exposed well. Looks like shes about to come sliding in. Well done.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for your input. I will do a version with the duck moved back a bit. Lots of fun working these guys. The practice will come in handy next time a loon lands beside me!

Cheers

Randy

[Arno Ellmer]

Stunning capture in awesome light, Randy .
Agree with adding canvas on right and re-cropping. Would have wished for separation of the far wing and the ice.

[Randy Stout]

Per popular request, a repost with cropping changes and ice behind the far wing softened. Thanks again for the valuable input.

Cheers

Randy