LTD on a Mission.

[William Dickson]

Canon 5D Mk3
f/4 500mm with 1.4
f/6.3
1/1250
ISO 1000

I was out yesterday afternoon, photographing eider(again) at the mouth of the harbour. When this Long Tailed Duck arrived on the scene.

First one I have seen this winter, and probably the last one, they are so scarce here.

Will

[David Cowling]

Great capture Will. I have seen them flying way offshore but never this close. Lovely exposure although it looks as if the head and throat may be a little hot, but not having seen one this close I could be wrong. Nice head turn and he? seems to be eyeing you up. I love the crystal clear bow wave. TFS.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Nice shot, I have seen very few of these lovely ducks, I like the pose. I would consider making it a little smaller in the frame and lowering the highlights a little, I think you have a lot of detail that is not being shown to full potential.

[William Dickson]

Thanks guys, here is another frame of the same bird, but closer

[keith mitchell]

Repost is good Will but I like the action of the bow wave on the OP just gives a bit more action, must say I would be pleased to have them both.

Keith.

[William Dickson]

Thanks Keith. I like the OP best as well. I found it quite tricky getting a good crop, because of the length of the tail.

Will

[Jonathan Ashton]

Love it!

[keith mitchell]

Will forgot to mention the water on the bow wave in the OP looks really good.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm really liking that OP. Very appealing pose and bow wave. I love the BG too. The crop works for me because of the long tail, otherwise more room at right would have been good. The only thing for me is that I would run some NR to the BG. Well done overall.

[Joseph Przybyla]

What a beautiful duck, I have never seen one before. Good capture of the bow wake and head angle. Thank you for sharing, Will.

[christopher galeski]

Nice capture William,I like the bow,and the BG and head angle.TFS.

[Adhika Lie]

I echo everyone's liking on the OP. I would burn the neck a little bit and get some details out of those highlights. Beautiful bird!

[William Dickson]

Thanks for the lovely comments Hi Daniel, I think the HA helped me , with cropping less on the RHS. I ran NR on the BG on the original, as you suggested, and it does make a difference

Will