Sometimes in your own backyard

[Randy Stout]

I went to Cleveland two weekends ago to shoot wood ducks, because they are pretty wild here in Michigan. Today I went to the Kalamazoo Bird Sanctuary, and was surprised to see this nice female in the small pond, and quite sociable. She is a wild bird, but seemed comfortable swimming around with all the other birds, and let me get much closer than usual. I liked the subtle submerged leaf in front of her. Shooting angle a bit up to maintain the reflection, which came out rather nicely.

D700 500mm f/4 with 1.4 at f/5.6 1/500 ISO 1250 Gitzo

Post: PS CS4 crop for composition, small rotation, sharpening

Advice always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

A nice looking female Wood Duck, Randy. Good details, and I like the subtle colouring on the plumage. Water drop at bill-tip, although thick, is a plus. I also liek the paint-brush effect of the water at top of the frame. I would try to eliminate the various bluish OOF spots that are sprinkled here and there in the water.

[Harshad Barve]

lovely frame with spot on expo and sharpness , water drop adding much here
TFS

[Sid Garige]

Very nice image Randy. Like the water droplet on the beak.

[Clement Francis]

This is almost like a painting. What an awesome focus on the birdie.

[Raymond Barlow]

Beautiful Image Randy, a nice angle, and very artistic placement in the frame.