Red-breasted Merganser

[Jim Crosswell]

This was taken at a local creek a couple of days ago. I was out walking the dog when I saw a pair of mergansers in the creek. I ran back to the house for the camera and spent an hour trying to get a good image. This was the best I could get of the male. I wish he turned is head more towards the camera but I still was happy with the image. All C&Cs are welcome and appreciated.

Canon 1D MK IV
500L f4
1.4 Extender
ISO 800
f8
1/2000s
Tripod

[John Robinson]

Kooks OK to me Jim. I quite like the reflection which is unusual for me !! At least the ripples have broken this one up. Maybe the bird a teeny bit higher in the frame would help but just my personal view.
Nice image whatever.
JohnR

[Charles Mills]

Looks fine to me too. It's a male Red-breasted Merganser though.

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks John and Charles for your comments. I meant to put Red-breasted instead of Common but am unable to change the title now.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Beautiful, Jim! Little bit higher in the frame would work for me too..... And, BONUS..... I'm 99% sure this is a male Red Breasted Merganser!

Edit: Looks like I posted at about the same time as you and Charles!

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice one Jim, effort pays off. I also think a little higher in the frame. Beautiful bird nicely shown.

[gail bisson]

These are beautiful ducks. I like the gold water and agree with you that a bit of a head turn would have been nice.
If you have the room I would move the duck to the LUC.
Hope you can go back and get some more!
Gail

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm OK with the merganser sitting low in the frame like this, but I'd love to see it more to the left. Good looking subject that spooks quite too easily here. I'll go ahead and change the title for ya after this reply...

[Jim Crosswell]

I'm OK with the merganser sitting low in the frame like this, but I'd love to see it more to the left. Good looking subject that spooks quite too easily here. I'll go ahead and change the title for ya after this reply...

Thanks for changing the title and your comment. The reason I placed the Merganser more central was to keep the circle ring complete around him.
Thanks Gail, Joe and Sandy for your comments and suggestions.

[Daniel Cadieux]

You're welcome! Another option, if the image is cropped, is to add back some canvas at right. Still a very nice image as is.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Love that golden water and the well exposed duck. HA works fine for me. I could see a slight crop from the left, but works for me as is.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very nice one Jim.
I read some great comments above, also learn from them! Like the plumage and light in this one.

[christopher galeski]

nice one Jim,love the color and ripples in the water,I would have liked a lower POV,but till a nice image.

[David Salem]

Great color and detail in this and I dont mind the POV, lets us see some of the reflection. Nice looking drake also. Well done Jim

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. This image is cropped so I will try the different crops suggested and see how they look, I appreciate the input.

[Karl Egressy]

The head turn is fine with me, Jim. Nice colors and details.