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Avian Moderator
Not Amanda

I believe this is her second cousin, twice removed.
Another Common Goldeneye Hen and perhaps a younger one? Her head feathers appear a bit more disheveled and tattered than Amanda, who is more mature.
For some reason, struggled with the WB here. Curious how it presents to you.
Canon R5
840mm
Handheld
ISO 1250
1/6400
f5.6
LR and PS, DN. Added a little canvas at top and blended parts of a darker shoreline showing below. Removed a few small bright specs on head.
Last edited by Brian Sump; 02-06-2021 at 12:40 AM.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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BPN Member
This might be the best one yet, mainly because of the lower, eye-level view. Details are crazy good, and the down wings are fabulous. I like how the primaries from the two wings line up perfectly.
What percentage of these waterfowl frames do think you'd be able to get with your DX3 (I think that's what you had previously, but correct me if I'm wrong)?
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BPN Member
Hi Brian .... another high quality flight shot .
For me about ... being perfect !!!
You know me ... and my slight reservation
.... up to you and your taste . So no big deal .
What was the issue to find the right WB ???
TFS Andreas
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Avian Moderator
Brian:
Lovely frame, nice angle in frame and comp. Not obvious cast on my monitor.
Cheers
Randy
MY BPN ALBUMS
"Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton
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Macro and Flora Moderator
Looks good to me but I have slight reservation over the dark feathers and part of the bill - are they carrying a blue/purple cast? Otherwise I would suggest those areas are just a little dense but I know you like your rich colours on that side of the pond! Very pleasing image well done.
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Publisher
Dear Flying Duckman.
I am glad to see that you are back on track with flying ducks ... I agree with Dorian as this is likely the best ever. I have zero reservations about the dark tones, the color, or anything else. This image has IT. My favorite part is the orange tip of the bill.
with love, a
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BPN Member
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One more neat image Brian no complaints here. I don't know about your best. You have so many that I liked. Again the background goes well. TFS
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Stop it, I'd die for a place to photograph ducks like this. About as perfect as it gets. Wonderful image, Brian, thank you for sharing.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
www.amazinglight.smugmug.com
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Stunning image Brian! Great wing position, IQ, composition and complimentary BG.
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All has been said, Everything about this canvas is so sweet. TFS
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Late to this one Brian...one word...superb!!
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BPN Member
You've done it again Brian....Fabulous image....Great flight pose and HA...The BG is sweet...it compliments the bird perfectly....A great BG makes soooo much difference. Colours are spot on.
Good work
Will
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Avian Moderator

Originally Posted by
Dorian Anderson
This might be the best one yet, mainly because of the lower, eye-level view. Details are crazy good, and the down wings are fabulous. I like how the primaries from the two wings line up perfectly.
What percentage of these waterfowl frames do think you'd be able to get with your DX3 (I think that's what you had previously, but correct me if I'm wrong)?
Thank you Dorian! I was surprised you thought it rated so highly, I just wasn't sure myself.
Previously I shot a D850, not DX3. But I would estimate probably 2x as many keepers with the R5. Plus, 20fps (or maybe it's like 16 or something in full raw) you get so many more options for wing positions. Not sure, is the DX3 20fps?

Originally Posted by
Andreas Liedmann
Hi Brian .... another high quality flight shot .
For me about ... being perfect !!!
You know me ... and my slight reservation

.... up to you and your taste . So no big deal .
What was the issue to find the right WB ???
TFS Andreas
Andreas, sweet! The "P" word is not used gently and I'd be honored should someone tie it to one of my frames....
On WB, I dunno man. I went back and forth so many times as I felt it would go too yellow, then too magenta, then too green. I had to do a little selective color balancing but glad you feel it got to where it needed to be!

Originally Posted by
Randy Stout
Brian:
Lovely frame, nice angle in frame and comp. Not obvious cast on my monitor.
Cheers
Randy
Thanks for the thoughts Randy!

Originally Posted by
Jonathan Ashton
Looks good to me but I have slight reservation over the dark feathers and part of the bill - are they carrying a blue/purple cast? Otherwise I would suggest those areas are just a little dense but I know you like your rich colours on that side of the pond! Very pleasing image well done.
You know Jon, if anything I think I would lean that way too. But when I slid a tad more green the whole image got thrown off. I just resolved myself that the wings and head had a touch more in them and wasn't seeing an overall cast so I left it alone ultimately.
Thank you for the comments. Agreed, some like myself prefer a touch more sat but always a work in progress....

Originally Posted by
Arthur Morris
Dear Flying Duckman.
I am glad to see that you are back on track with flying ducks ... I agree with Dorian as this is likely the best ever. I have zero reservations about the dark tones, the color, or anything else. This image has IT. My favorite part is the orange tip of the bill.
with love, a
Haha, such a term of endearment... Love it and receive it. Though I'll always be working on my perched bird game too, esp in the spring and summer!
Honored that you think this tops the list. Sometimes I feel a little less strong about a frame that others may like more but your opinion is always greatly valued!

Originally Posted by
Volkan Akgul
hi Brian, number one .
Many thanks Volkan!!

Originally Posted by
kevin Hice
One more neat image Brian no complaints here. I don't know about your best. You have so many that I liked. Again the background goes well. TFS
Kevin, that is very meaningful. So much appreciated!

Originally Posted by
Joseph Przybyla
Stop it, I'd die for a place to photograph ducks like this. About as perfect as it gets. Wonderful image, Brian, thank you for sharing.
Ha, Joe I tell you I feel blessed to have this stretch of river. Although I do work hard to find legs with the right sun angle and, of course, the birds have to be present. Should you ever make it this way in winter, I'd love to host you here.
Appreciate your kind words!

Originally Posted by
Jim Crosswell
Stunning image Brian! Great wing position, IQ, composition and complimentary BG.
Jim, very much appreciated sir!

Originally Posted by
David Roach
All has been said, Everything about this canvas is so sweet. TFS
David, thank you as always!

Originally Posted by
Paul Burdett
Late to this one Brian...one word...superb!!
So thankful for the impactful comment Paul!

Originally Posted by
William Dickson
You've done it again Brian....Fabulous image....Great flight pose and HA...The BG is sweet...it compliments the bird perfectly....A great BG makes soooo much difference. Colours are spot on.
Good work
Will
Will, your words are always valued and appreciated. Glad you like this and agree, a good bkg can make a world of difference!
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BPN Member
Ahhhh, that's right you came from Nikon. The way I figure it, the AF in the 850 is at least twice as good as the DXs, and you say the R5 is 2x better than the 850. So, that leaves me significant
room above my DX2! Cheers!