Ruddy Duck Wing Stretch

[gail bisson]

Canon 1 DX 600 mm
ISO 800 SS 1/2500 F 7.1
Crop to 60% FF, usual LR5 sliders then off to PS for NR on the BG, dodged a dark linear area in the BG on RHS and the undersisde of the near wing, DE at 1% to duck, levels and USM to JPEG. Nothing added or cloned.
I spent 2 hours with this duck and this is the best wing stretch he gave me.
I had trouble deciding where to cut off the reflection and now that I see this posted I think I should take a bit more off the bottom.
Taken in Kamloops BC
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

[Daniel Cadieux]

Cute duck set against a fantastic background. Perfect techs, processing well done. I think you cropped the reflection at a good spot. I do wish for a "thicker" wing position, but from your description I get the feeling you do too.

[Grace Scalzo]

The exposure is spot on with rich whites and blacks on the head. I too would trim from the bottom to right above where the reflected highlights start. Superb background and that's the best he could do with those stubby little wings. Good opportunity well used!

[dankearl]

Some off the bottom for me as well, you had a very nice BG for this guy.....

[William Dickson]

Lovely looking image Gail. The detail and colours on the bird are nice, as is the BG. Great work

Will

[Karl Egressy]

Nice looking image, Gail. Love the pose, shooting angle, eye contact and the background is just great.

[Ivan Ellison]

Great shot, lovely colours and wing stretch . Real shame the govt have culled our population of them as I thought they were super birds.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Yeah, I feel your pain about the wing spread. Bummer, but still a great looking image with superb details, light and BG.
TFS