Ian, what a terrific opportunity. These ducks in breeding plumage are so beautiful. I would level this image, remove a catchlight, give him a little more room all around, and back off on the sharpening. you'll see a halo by the black head feathers and all around it looks a but crunchy. That said, I wish this one was in my files.
Great light and detail, liking a lot the droplets, the light particularly on the blue bill is very nice as is the water texture. Re post has improved, but I wonder if it is a little big in frame as the water ripples seem a little chopped off
Hi Ian,
Love the repost! Good work. As for the catchlight, it's a personal thing...I know that one was from the sun and one is from the water, but to me it makes the eye look muddy. Again, tho, do what looks right to you.
WOnderful image Ian, the repost i mean it improves a lot over the OP
i feel its a bit tight and if the full ripple of water was included it would have taken it over the top.
However that said its a lovely clear image of this bird