Mallard hen in flight

[Mike Poole]

Not the most exotic of species, but sometimes you have to you work with what you can get!

Canon 7d2
500mm f4is
ISO 800
1/3200th f4

[Daniel Cadieux]

Mallards are indeed overlooked, but as we can see here very photographable (and photogenic). Good flight pose with nice details. Perhaps a few of the brightest spots pushing hot (base of bill, and shoulder area). I'd have punched up the saturation a bit more here, especially the BG. I'd also remove the lower of the two catchlights. All in all you did well.

[keith mitchell]

Mike I am hopeless at flying birds so it would be hard for me to find fault, this looks like a very nice clean shot with plenty of sharp detail and a nice BG,would be well pleased if it was mine.

Keith.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice flight shot against pleasing background.

[Mike Poole]

Thanks for the comments.

Regarding Dan's suggestions, I've had another go, adding a little saturation, addressing the highlights as mentioned, but wasn't able to completely lose the lower catchlight. It is only 1 pixel, and for some reason, the clone tool in PS was having none of it. Must be something I'm unknowingly doing wrong. Anyway, here's the updated version

[gail bisson]

Repost looks better. Did you also add a bit of contrast as well?
Seems to have a bit more of a "punch".
Excellent IQ, wing position and love the BG.
The whites that were a bit hot have been well processed in the repost.
I like the single water droplet.
Well done Mike,
Gail

[christopher galeski]

nice flight shot,love the BG,good detail,and I like the water droplet.TFS.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

The repost is superb mate. I really love the shot, great wing position and the angle of the flying duck is perfect for a flight shot!

[Shawn Zierman]

Sharp. Sweet clean colored background to capture the duck against. Really like the way the body is angled towards us. Excellent image quality. Prefer the repost in regards to looks...

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Mike RP for me . Well executed flight shot with good IQ , great work.

TFS Andreas