I Got My Eye on You

[Marina Scarr]

Photographed this blue winged teal pair last Spring. The female had only one eye and a deformed bill, so I loved this view of her peeking at me from under the male's neck with her good eye. Something a little different. I thought it was so amazing that despite her disabilities, she had a mate and appeared to be feeding herself and thriving.

Canon 1D4, Canon 500L & 2.0 TC
F10, 1/1250sec, ISO 640, manual mode
Feisol tripod, Jobu head

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful comments and critiques.

[Karl Egressy]

It would have been great with the male by itself, but the female peeking at you behind puts it a few notches up.
Love the image as the colors, patterns and the low angle are all great.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Marina, excellent low perspective, and very well timed to have pressed the shutter when the female was positioned as captured. I like the inclusion of the weed on the water, and the falling droplet adds something special.

[keith mitchell]

Marina it's good that the female got a chance to hide her bad bits, you did very well catching this pose just showing her good bits, agree all the colours and the low angle make for a very nice shot.

Keith.

[Jonathan Ashton]

An interesting image and good tonal range, I think the duck is in sharp focus but the head of the drake less so.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Marina - A tender moment, well captured. One would never know the issues that she faces from this image. Lovely low angle too.

TFS,
Rachel

[Joseph Przybyla]

Wonderful tender image. Your description explains why the image is so special to you. Before I began photographing birds I never realized how many have handicaps and challenges. Thank you for sharing.

[Grace Scalzo]

Marina, it took me a minute to fully appreciate this one. So sweet and intimate. I think it need the tiniest amount of ccw and my eye wants to investigate that white spot under the drake's tail, so I would remove. You have done a great job of bringing out the colors in his head and the blue of the wing showing is another added detail. Nice work, as is your usual.

[gail bisson]

What an unusual shot!
It took me a while to find the eye peeking at out me, but once I spotted it : "wow" what a special find.
Agree with Grace's assessment of that white spot under the tail. The drake's head is not as sharp as the rest of the image so, if you haven't already, I would try sharpening the head a bit more.
Love the POV and the title of the shot and the story that accompanies the image.
Gail

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Marina!

Love the POV, composition, and colours! Sweet and intimate, indeed:)

I too think it need a tad of CCW rotation. Love the reflection, stunning BG, well processed and presented!

Wonderful work, I do look forward to your future posts, I also wish to thank you from the heart for your support with Story Sequences forum - much appreciated

Warmest regards,

[Ross Taylor]

Hi Marina,

What a great shot! That peaking out from under is super. Great job in positioning yourself to leverage that moment!

Seems like you have had great suggestions to polish this gem of a photo :)

TFS
Ross

[David Salem]

Very nice Marina. I like the different look at this species and the hen looking over looks cool. Nice colors and details and I like the duck weed on the water. Well done

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image. Superb colours and details. Beautiful background and composition.
Great spectacular moment and story of courageous lady.

Regards,
Satish.

[Doug Brown]

Really nice story to go along with your image. Love the way she is tucked under his head. Low angle works well and the techs are excellent.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the interaction, water drop, BG and composition. Very well done Marina!