A New Zealand endemic -- a Fiordland crested penguin / tawaki, taken on slightly rainy day off a pelagic on Stewart Island (an amazing place). In post, dropped EXP on the BG 2/3rd a stop, slight crop. BG was naturally pretty dark as it's a cave the nest in.
I think I know exactly where you shot this.
Good exposure and the blacks are well defined. The penguin is separated nicely from the black BG.
Nice and sharp (hard to do on a bobbing boat).
Love the look back pose and the crest. And you got the most important part- the red eye!
Looking forward to seeing more of your images from NZ,
Gail