Ruddy Duck

[Ed Vatza]

Another image from the North Shore (NJ) ponds/lakes. I always get a kick out of the Ruddys and will take a bit of time to watch and photograph them as they dive for food - over and over and over. They get so wrapped up in what they are doing they end up coming pretty close to where I am sitting on the bank. Anyway, it wasn't until I looked at the images that I realized how "interesting" the water looked. Must have been due, in part, to winds that were stirring things up.

Canon 50D; Canon 300 mm f/2.8L IS lens w/ 2x TC; Tripod-mounted

1/500 sec @ f/7.1; ISO 400; 0 EV; FL 600 mm (EFL 960 mm)

[Randy Stout]

ED:

Lovely soft color. I always enjoy the 'brushstroke' quality in the water you captured here. The bird is sharp, with good detail, nice water drops on the back. Excellent head angle.

For me, the bird is too centered. A little more room to the left, and perhaps just a bit off the top.

Keep them coming

Randy

[Fabs Forns]

Love the water and detail in the bird. Agree on getting more room at the left at least. They are very active ducks, so good for you that you got him still.

[Ed Vatza]

Thanks Randy. Thanks Fabs. Appreciate the feedback. I had to go back and scoop up some of the left side off of the cutting room floor. :)

[Randy Stout]

Ed:

It works better for me with the increased room to the left.

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

I prefer the comp of the repost, good job. Perfect little head turn by the duck, but I do see a magenta cast on it though...should be easy to correct.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Very nice, respot work better. Great shot, lovely, LOVELY water. COngratulations!

[John Chardine]

Really nice and I like the repost. I see the magenta cast as well.

[Ed Vatza]

Thanks guys. Got to finish shoveling snow and get to work but...

I dropped the temperature a bit as well as tint in LR. Better or should I go more?

[Mike Lentz]

I think you dialed it in nicely with your last image!