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Avian Moderator
No Love

While in DIF mode, figured might as well include one of the lesser appreciated variety.
Played with crops including further right in frame and it looked wonky to me. Open to opinions....
Canon R5
600mm
Handheld
ISO 1600
1/5000
f5.6
LR and PS, DN. Sliver canvas added. Removed a catchlight and couple specs and a tiny shadow from the first anterior primary.
Last edited by Brian Sump; 01-05-2021 at 12:39 AM.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Simply amazing, Brian!
Iridescence on full display here; love that the speculum is lit up, as is the head. Had never noticed their tail feathers with that nice shade of green.
Great details end-to-end.
Don't recall seeing a finer mallard in flight image.
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Spot on view of this common beauty and as always love that BG. TFS
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BPN Member
Perfect wings-up and flight angle, great colors, details. These are lovely ducks; I think they are only underappreciated because they are so ubiquitous. Checks all the boxes for me.
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Macro and Flora Moderator
Fine shot indeed Brian well done! I am looking at the neck and the tail, they look very dense/featureless to me as do the black areas, mid and light tones look good.
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Crisp, clean, lovely colors throughout, aces!!! I like the crop, wonderful textures throughout.
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BPN Member
Fab colours throughout....esp on the duck, giving a crisp look to the feathers. I like it.....Lovely flight pose, and HA. I would be totally happy with this one Brian.....Good work
Will
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BPN Member
Hi Brain,
Best in a row :)
I applaud
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You caught the sheen on the head perfectly. Killer background. The pose is very nice as well.
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Wonderful picture. We have a lot of Mallards here in Utah on our ranch. I love to see them. I only hope one day I can capture an image like that.
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Avian Moderator

Originally Posted by
Sidharth Kodikal
Simply amazing, Brian!
Iridescence on full display here; love that the speculum is lit up, as is the head. Had never noticed their tail feathers with that nice shade of green.
Great details end-to-end.
Don't recall seeing a finer mallard in flight image.
Sidharth, your feedback is very valuable. I'm humbled that you hold the frame in such high regard, thank you!

Originally Posted by
David Roach
Spot on view of this common beauty and as always love that BG. TFS
David, always nice to hear from you!

Originally Posted by
Bill Dix
Perfect wings-up and flight angle, great colors, details. These are lovely ducks; I think they are only underappreciated because they are so ubiquitous. Checks all the boxes for me.
Bill, your words are appreciated and I totally agree. They are very common but when the light hits them right.... man

Originally Posted by
Jonathan Ashton
Fine shot indeed Brian well done! I am looking at the neck and the tail, they look very dense/featureless to me as do the black areas, mid and light tones look good.
Jon, thank you! I can see your point. Honestly, starting in Neutral vs the old days of Adobe Color and working my way up has helped but some parts of images like this are beyond my pay grade as they just have darker areas. I played with brushing contrasty spots but the more saturated areas like the brown in the chest, shadows on the head and rump just didn't have much in them when it comes to my magic wand. Please feel free to share suggestions.

Originally Posted by
annmpacheco
Crisp, clean, lovely colors throughout, aces!!! I like the crop, wonderful textures throughout.
Ann, very glad to hear you like it as presented :-)

Originally Posted by
William Dickson
Fab colours throughout....esp on the duck, giving a crisp look to the feathers. I like it.....Lovely flight pose, and HA. I would be totally happy with this one Brian.....Good work
Will
Will, I appreciate you my friend. Always nice to hear your feedback!

Originally Posted by
Volkan Akgul
Hi Brain,
Best in a row :)
I applaud
Volkan, so good to hear from you. Thank you. Are you staying well? Shooting much lately?

Originally Posted by
John Mack
You caught the sheen on the head perfectly. Killer background. The pose is very nice as well.
Thanks a million John!

Originally Posted by
Justin Bond
Wonderful picture. We have a lot of Mallards here in Utah on our ranch. I love to see them. I only hope one day I can capture an image like that.
Justin, you have a bright future man. Hang around here and keep pushing yourself and you'll do great :-)
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Publisher
Flying Duckman,
Ditto all the positives above. What is DIF???
I find myself wishing that the near wing were more fully raised to better show the underwing detail. But that would further obscure the view of the speculum on the far wing. Speaking of which, it seems that there is something funky going on with the feather arrangement of the speculum, more specifically, at the top of the first blue feather ...
with love, artie
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BPN Member
Hi Brian, Even staying to watch :) I have been struggling a lot lately. For living. no jobs or activities. I think it will take me a long time to get myself together. Please don't think, keep up the good pictures. Thank you.
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Avian Moderator

Originally Posted by
Arthur Morris
Flying Duckman,
Ditto all the positives above. What is DIF???
I find myself wishing that the near wing were more fully raised to better show the underwing detail. But that would further obscure the view of the speculum on the far wing. Speaking of which, it seems that there is something funky going on with the feather arrangement of the speculum, more specifically, at the top of the first blue feather ...
with love, artie
Good assessment Artie, thank you. DIF = Ducks In Flight :-)
RE the speculum, yes it appears one of the feathers is spread apart revealing the feather rachis
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Avian Moderator

Originally Posted by
Volkan Akgul
Hi Brian, Even staying to watch :) I have been struggling a lot lately. For living. no jobs or activities. I think it will take me a long time to get myself together. Please don't think, keep up the good pictures. Thank you.
Volkan, wow man I am very sorry to hear of your struggles. I pray you find work and find peace in your circumstances!!
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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BPN Member
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Another fine frame Brian! Love the BG and IQ looks great. BTW, I have a loaner R5 being sent as soon as they have one. Still not sure about the Sony. There’s a couple issues I have with it.
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Well a common bird but not an easy bird. Getting a Mallard in flight with good head sheen is tough enough, catching some speculum color as well - great. Bg nice and creamy - nothin but envy from my seat.
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BPN Member
Thanks Brian.
no business problem man health problem. This was the result of someone driving a stupid Harley bike in my SS 1000 RR chasing me and dragging us into an accident :) But I'm getting better. I am grateful for your prayer. Stay with love.
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Avian Moderator
Andreas, Vaughn and Kurt - appreciate each of you and your valuable comments!!!
Volkan, holy crap man, that's crazy! We all wish you quick healing and back to normal very soon. Be careful on two wheels man!
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