Blue-winged Teal

[Isaac Grant]

Another frame of the very handsome male Blue-winged Teal from March. This species is typically very shy and difficult to approach. I made plans the night before when I heard this male was at a local lake. Got to this spot before first light and laid down on a frozen spit that sticks out onto this lake and waited for the sun to come up and the bird to approach. Got lucky with a few passes while the light was just perfect.

Canon 1DX and Canon 500 f4 ii + 1.4x iii. ISO 800, f 5.6, SS 1/2500. Tripod mounted with legs fully extended.

Processed with DPP 4.6 and PS.

[Bob Smith]

Your effort sure paid off here Isaac. This light is marvelous, a perfect setting for the side feathers--and you got just the right angle of head turn. The hairlike feathers on the back just behind the neck are a nice touch too.

[gail bisson]

No such thing as luck when you do your field craft properly!
Beautiful IQ, POV and light.
You got the perfect HA to allow the light to catch the crown feather colors.
Gail

[annmpacheco]

IQ!!! color palette is gorgeous and your positioning of the duck is superb. Amazing when the exposure is spot on all the wonderful details you can see. I also love the top of the bill!!! Well done.

[Bill Dix]

I loved the earlier frame of this guy, and this one is equally splendid.