This is really nice Allen.
Excellent choice for the theme with a great BG of golden water.
Perfect wing position and perfect angle.
Really like the 2 curlicue feathers on the tail and the quacking bill.
My only suggestion to improve this fine image would be to sharpen the head a little bit more. I also feel this could go a touch brighter but you were there so will trust your interpretation,
Gail
Good comments from Gail and Karl. I do agree about the sharpness on the head. I find that mallard drakes are a real challenge to get the head just right. The bill may be perfectly sharp looking, and the head is in the plane of focus, but just doesn't look crisp. Obviously has to do with how the light reflects off the green sheen of the head. I would def. sharpen the eye and lighter green part of the head to see if you can improve the apparent sharpness.
Open bill, wings down, curls at tail, all very nice.
One a great frame you are sharing here. Love the flight and calling pose, the peek at those orange feet but esp the curled tail feathers!!! Angle is great as is the BG.