First time out in weeks due to the Fires, Wood ducks are back in my local pond in full color, Fall in here!
D500, 700mm (500pf w/ 1.4), f8, 1/1600, iso 6400
This is a really good result given what look like pretty atrocious lighting conditions. You stopped the wings as best you could, and the colors really crack. Excellent exposure. Agree with loosening the crop if possible.
Dan, nice capture of the Woody Drake! Super colorful.
It seems like he's pointing slightly away but not worth splitting heirs over.
My only suggestions would have been to include room for the feet. And in a perfect world the black horizon line would not go through the head (or just tone down/patch/clone it).
Love the colors and pose. Even like the dark parts of BG as they are not a sharp edged line. They add to drama. Agree on room for below water line virtual parts. TFS