Sunning Mallard

[Tom Walter]

The temperature was near 0 deg F when I saw this mallard keeping warm in the late afternoon sun.

Nikon D200
Nikon 70-300 4.5-5.6G VR
Hand held
1/1000 sec @ f8
ISO 400

[Alfred Forns]

HI Tom Glad you see you braving the cold weather !!!!

I like the image a lot, sharp well exposed and good detail. Would frame a little different with more room to the right of the bird (less left) and sure wish you had gotten on sun angle for even illumination !!! btw would also take some off the bottom !!!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Exposure control and details look good. I agree with Alfred's crop suggestion.

[Tom Walter]

Thanks for your comments. I had a hard time deciding where to place the mallard. I ended up putting it in the upper right, but had some doubts because of the direction of her head. I liked the shadow. Is it best to place the image so as to give the bird room to look or to give room for the direction of the main body of the bird?

[Tom Walter]

I incorporated the suggestions and placed the mallard in the upper left. After talking with my son-in-law I decided to reduce the contrast a bit using shadows and highlights. I think it looks much better. What do you think?