Drake Redhead

[David Salem]

We used to get many of these beautiful diving ducks 25 years ago but now we don't see them as much. The lack of larger and deeper agricultural ponds and dikes has sent them on a different migratory route.
He is a diving duck. Notice those big feet for diving down to catch crustaceans.
I saw this guy getting nervous so I set myself up upwind of him knowing that he, as all diving ducks, had to run into the wind to get airborne.
I was fortunate that he flew by giving me a few nice flight frames of this elusive species.

1DX---840mm---f6.3---ss1/3200th---ISO640---HH@5:45pm---30% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Jonathan Ashton]

David that is just excellent, the composition colours and pose are amazing, the details are to die for. I cannot fault it, the only tiny weeny reservation I have is the prominence of the catchlight in the eye.

[Joe Subolefsky]

Really nice image. With Jonathan on the eye, I think it would be a stronger image with 80% of the catchlight removed.

[David Salem]

Thanks for the comments guys. I never even thought about the catch light because it's 100% natural.
That's the big evening sun in his eye.
Thanks again

[Mike Poole]

Another winning duck image Dave, the details are exquisite and the GB shoes off some of the environment and adds extra interest. I like the catchlight as it is.

Mike

[Isaac Grant]

Just crazy nice David. You truly are the master at these shots. I'm not sure I could even invent something to critique with this image. Beautiful pose, background, composition, lighting and presentation. Truly and inspirational type of shot and something for me to strive for.

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image David! I like the wing position, details, setting, IQ, light and composition.

[Tim Foltz]

Dave, nice image, love the OOF environment BG, nice and sharp bird details, wing position could be better but still nice.

-Tim

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone. I'm so glad you like the frame.

[David Salem]

Dave, nice image, love the OOF environment BG, nice and sharp bird details, wing position could be better but still nice.

-Tim

Thanks Tim,

I thought the wing position was one of the best parts of this frame. Fully extended and fully lit left wing, and because of the nice flight angle we can see some of the right wing too. Both are lined up with the sun perfectly and both have no shadows whatsoever. Lots of nice details too. What the @#$%&

[Tim Foltz]

Thanks Tim,

I thought the wing position was one of the best parts of this frame. Fully extended and fully lit left wing, and because of the nice flight angle we can see some of the right wing too. Both are lined up with the sun perfectly and both have no shadows whatsoever. Lots of nice details too. What the @#$%&

Dave, It's just not a duck stamp image don't get me wrong it's nice, but the wings just aren't symmetrical.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent flight shot with lovely wing stretch, beautiful colors and very nice composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Bill Dix]

A masterful image. Wing position and catchlight work just fine for me. BG is gorgeous, as are the light, details, flight position. I never realized these guys had such big feet.

[annmpacheco]

David,
you nailed this pretty boy, in every respect, the angle and details are superb, and i love the BG, congrats, this is top shelf.

[Ritesh Nangare]

Lovely flight shot with great details and lovely light ...

The Bg look Beautiful here. the subject POP out in the BG.... Loved it.

[William Dickson]

Classic. Wished it was mine Well done David.

Will

[keith mitchell]

David could not find a fault if I looked all night,if I got one half as good I would be thrilled to bits.

Keith.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, excellent IQ, and just love the light. I do like the flying pose, and you certainly nailed the sharpness and exposure here. Gotta love that BG too. Well captured.

[Brian Desjardins]

Just beautiful , love how you can see the water droplets pearling off his breast and belly.

[Bob Smith]

This image , like so many from you David, makes the viewer feel like the bird is right there in the air in front of him. I particularly love the subtle, perfectly exposed, gradient of gray and white feathers under the left wing--also the way the colour of head and eye tie in to the upper BG and the subtle yellows of the grass along the lower edge.

[Eric Dienesch]

The Light and the pose is great !!!