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Thread: Showing off her hood

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Showing off her hood

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    This female hooded merganser was captured this morning at a vernal pond, courtesy of Roy Van Loo. No male around. She was bossing the wood ducks and chasing them around part of the time, and others just sitting on stumps clucking a bit like a chicken. Fun to have the variety today.

    Z6. 500 f/4 @ f/5, ISO 700 1/1600s. Taken from my sled blind at the ponds edge

    Post: Cleaned a few spots up in the water, removed a second catchlight in the pupil, lifted the darker plumage on the back.

    Advice and comments always appreciated.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Randy, stunning overall. The water and bkg colors compliment her nicely.

    You know, when I posted my male HM a few days ago I had a very similar frame. It was suggested to me to add more left because of the length of the HM tail. Now I see it more clearly and I can see why that might be something to look at here.

    Well done.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Brian:

    Valid point, and I looked at that edge of the frame several times. I finally decided that because of the OOF nature and tapering shape of the tail that it is less of an issue, but certainly worth consideration.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    Lovely image Randy. I like the eye. I would have personally added some to the left but not as important because like you said the tail is out of focus and is disappearing into the water.My personal taste would be to back off on the brightness on the front of the bird. Still a great image. TFS

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Nice reflection.
    I would love a bit more room on the left.
    IQ looks good and I love that still water,
    Gail

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Randy, I very much like the symmetry here, adding a diagonal exposure blend to the FG I feel adds some more depth.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Another beautifully detailed and colorful view and more killer water to top it off. TFS

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Randy a super nice and clean shot with a pleasing subject ... I do like the overall color and tone combo .

    Not sure about the detail side of life .... as it appears not very fine , and the hood does look slight grainy to me .

    TFS Andreas

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    I like the pose, hairdo, sharpness, reflection and complimentary BG. Beautiful image Randy!

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    Randy, This is such a striking shot, perhaps most mesmerizing of all — taking for granted all the skill and talent that went into doing everything else — the clarity of the reflection. My wife's mirrors don't work that well! You've got quite the setup there, sitting peacefully in your blind watching the ducks fight it out to see who gained the right to pose for you. Could there be a better way to spend a morning. Many, many more. Dave Harwood

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    Love the crest. The earth tones on the bird and the water are great. Lovely reflection.

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