Drake Mandarin Duck

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Lake Mirror, a lake in the center of Lakeland, Florida. It is a duck normally found in Asia or zoos. The parks department purchased two pairs with hopes of establishing a population. This duck is small compared to other ducks, but what it lacks in size it sure makes up for in colors.

Nikon D7000, Nikon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 VRII AF shot at 300mm, 1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 280, -1 EV, normal processing in Lightroom 5

[Marina Scarr]

What a stunning duck. I actually visited him recently myself! I like his pose with the ruffled feathers. Your composition works rather nicely. The whites look blown to me. It's tough to keep those whites from blowing out unless you are shooting these ducks in lower light. Image needs some CW rotation.

[Bob Serling]

What a beautiful bird and an excellent shot! I agree with Marina that the whites look quite hot. Have you tried reducing the exposure on the whites?

[Joseph Przybyla]

Marina and Bob, I appreciate you viewing and offering suggestions. I agree the whites were hot, in the camera I made sure that the whites were under control but did not work at it enough in post. I re-worked it and sharpened again with a smaller radius trying to get more texture from those feathers. I think this is an improvement.

[Loi Nguyen]

what a stunning bird! The RP is an improvement with respect to the white for sure. Ideally, I would wish for a slight head turn towards you. but this is a very nice image. TFS. Loi

[John Robinson]

Hi Joe
Fine looking bird. Second post better but does look a ittle over saturated to be honest.
Cheers
John

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the curled feathers, details and repost is an improvement. Would like to see some more of this fellow.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hello Loi, thank you for viewing and commenting. You wrote you would like to see the head turned a little towards me, I think the post below does that.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hello Jim, you wrote you would like to see some more of this fellow, well here is the pair that I captured last year shortly after being released.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hello John, thank you for viewing and commenting. I agree that it does appear oversaturated. I went back and checked, I really didn't do anything to raise the saturation. It was a very bright day maybe that is why the colors are so bright.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Joseph, Ive been away, so a big welcome to BPN, and enjoy the ride. Mandarin's are colourful, and I feel you have the colours spot on with regards to saturation. I agree the whites in your OP look blown, and maybe compensating in camera on your next visit should help. I like the colour of the water, and wonder if a lower shooting angle was possible. I would take some off the bottom.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hello Stuart, thank you for the welcome. A lower shooting angle not really possible, the lake is in the center of the city and has a concrete walkway surrounding it and going low while not impossible is challenging for this 70 year old body. Thank you for viewing and commenting.

[David Salem]

The shot on pane #8 is the best one IMO. Has a good HA, sharp and the whites look much better. Nice shot of this beauty.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Gorgeous duck, Joe and I think your colors are spot on. Although I have seen this species in real life, this bird is known for its flamboyant wardrobe.
The one in pane #8 would be my pick too - I'd just evict the dark[er] area between the bill and the chest (in the water), if your ethics allow.
TFS.