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Thread: Common Merganser (Hooray)

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    Default Common Merganser (Hooray)

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    A bird that I have long wanted to photograph. My dream finally came true today.

    1/1600, f9, iso800
    Canon 1dx, 600f4 + 2.0 tc + lowered gitzo tripod
    (About 60 % of full frame.)

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I like the bow wave Grace, gives a sense of speed & motion. The beady eye is almost watching the viewer. Like looks a little bright and so the whites are held well, but feel there might be a little more definition you can tease out of them. Would you consider a 16x9 crop? Good to know you nailed the elusive subject at last.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Wonderful image. I can imagine how happy you must be seeing it on LCD after photographing this handsome bird.
    Beautiful colors, nice HA and water with wave nice low shooting angle and composition. I think It needs Slight CC rotation.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Well done Grace!
    IQ is excellent and I really like the bow wave.
    I like all the space you gave the duck but could also see a version with a bit trimmed from the top.
    The way his eye is rotated back towards you really shows how wary he is of you! Good find!
    Gail

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    My first thought was what Gail said about the bird being wary of you. Congratulations on finally photographing this species!!! The colors look great, and I like the space you have given him.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    Congrats Grace!

    I like the amount of space that you left in front and behind, but could see a version with some chopped off the top.

    I'm not too familiar with the species, but if you're willing I may try to brighten the eye just a tad.

    Miguel

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I have never take a good one of this species, they are tough to get close.
    I really like the wave and as mentioned, the wary look….
    Dan Kearl

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    I find these tough to expose, but you did very well here Grace!

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    BPN Member Sandy Witvoet's Avatar
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    VERY well done, Grace! Congrats on photo-ing him! I like the "space".... bow wake is great. Even tho he seems to be moving slightly away from you that bit of a turn/head angle/eye makes it special.
    www.mibirdingnetwork.com .... A place for bird and nature lovers in the Great Lakes area.

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    This is an outstanding image of a very hard to shoot bird, Grace.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    It's a good feeling when you get that elusive shot isn't it? Nice colours but perhaps the contrast is a tad too high? The whites at the base of the neck maybe a tad high, the blacks on the back a tad dark? I love that bow wave and the backwards glance.

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Yes, very hard to get close to is right. Good job getting out there and finally getting your nemesis. The techs look great and I think the pose looks kind of like he is on his way out of here. Nice work Grace!

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    Excellent shot with very nice soft background.

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