Blue-winged Teal hen

[Bill Dix]

From Llano Grande, TX in November, 2017, on a very somber day. Almost full-frame.

D500, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 2500, 1/320s @ f/6.3 manual, SB-700 fill @ -2.0 EV.

[Randy Stout]

Bill:

Quite a wet look going on here, yet still good detail. Pop of blue helps, nice angle in frame.

I find the green ripples in the water behind the bird a bit distracting. I might consider cropping a bit off the top, and even desaturating the greens a bit to reduce that effect. Personal taste really.

Cheers

Randy

[Paul Burdett]

Lovely composition, HA, sharpness and exposure. Really like the glassy feel of the water. I echo Randy's suggestions.

[David Roach]

I like the wet look, POV, details and pano treatment. Yes to a little higher in the frame. TFS

[gail bisson]

Love the teal- good IQ and body position. You have shown the blue nicely.
I am not a fan of those water ripples but understand completely taking this shot despite the gloomy weather.
Such a pretty lady!
Gail

[Brian Sump]

Bill, I love the contrast and detail here. There is a sort of monochromatic feel here in which the blue really stands out.

Do agree with Randy about toning down greens, however I am curious what that would do to the photo. You know, it could have a really artistic feel going more monochromatic but masking the blues to stay (even play with saturating them some?).

Just an idea. TFS.

[John Mack]

Nice to see that hint of blue against all that brown. The ripples in the water add to this frame.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all for the interesting comments and suggestions. I don't really mind the greenish ripples, but agree that the uppermost part of the background is not to my liking. The top could be cropped but it would make for a very extreme pano.