Cute Blue-Billed Duck...ID please!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Folks!
This was one of my very first DSLR efforts back in November...:eek::eek:
400D 100-400mm
AV F9
1/100 sec
ISO 200
Cropped, levels, darkened BG, sharpened.
I was working from a jpeg, as for some reason I can't find the raw file...:(...so I'm not sure whether the quality of the processing has been affected.
Let me know what you think!
Many thanks as always.
Regards,
Nicki
PS Does anyone know the ID of this duck?:)

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Hi: I believe it is a black-bellied whistling duck, and that their bills don't turn red until they are older. The image has too high contrast, in my opinion, and the top of the head is very underexposed(I know, it's supposed to be black). Did you try levels? regards~Bill

[Alfred Forns]

Harsh light on this one Nicki but your ability to compose/create mood is evident here !!!

The most bothersome element has to be the multiple catch lights Eliminate and will make a difference !!!!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for your comments. Bill, thanks for the ID!! BTW, I did use levels but this is just 'my look' - sorry..;)
Al, I have tried to get rid of some of the catchlights - is this better now?? Thanks as always for your encouragement!
Regards,
Nicki

[Harold Davis]

very well composed!!! nice job!! question for al. how can you tell that the light is harsh here? looks soft to me. lots of detail in the bird and nothing overblown. is it the top of the head that's the giveaway? thanks!!

nicki, do like how you singled the catchlight. nice job!!

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Nicki:

A very colourful attractive bird with the waterdrops an added bonus. Was hoping for another opinion on the ID or reference.

Best regards

Gus

[Gus Cobos]

Lady Nicki,
Nicely done on the final repost. Love the details in the feathers and the water droplets, and the pose...good show...:cool:

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

:)Hi Harold, Gus and Uncle Gus,
Many thanks for your kind words. Harold, I too will be eager to understand why Al thinks that the light is harsh. Well, I guess that's why we're in ETL...;):eek:

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Nicki: thanks to Gus's asking for another opinion on the ID, I went back to the photos I based my ID on, which I took only a few days ago. I've included one. I was under the impression that the bird in the foreground was a parent, and indeed behaved as one, However, it is possible I misinterpreted the scene, or that there was hybridization. Nonetheless, I feel my ID could very well be incorrect. If you submit your photo to the Bird ID forum at BirdForum.net, I'm sure you can get a definitive answer. They have helped me many times with bird IDs. regards~Bill

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Bill,
Many thanks for taking the trouble to post your picture. I will certainly repost in the bird ID forum - I never thought to do that !
Regards,
Nicki

[Gus Hallgren]

It is a Philippine Duck: