Taken this AM at a local pond. This pond always draws good winter ducks , but is a difficult place to get a clean shot. This is about a 40% crop and some work was done to remove a few distracting elements. Would have liked a lower angle but was not possible in the location I was at.
Joe, Nice looking Shoveler. I saw some at Cape May yesterday, but couldn't get close enough for a shot. I like the color tones and the details on the duck. I might take a tiny bit off the top if it were mine and clone the yellow line in front of the duck. The bill looks nicely highlighted.
I find shovelers a challenge. They are either always circling with bill down, or swimming away from me!
Last week I stopped at the local bird sanctuary, and wonder of wonders, there was a shoveler perched on a log. I was so excited, as I rarely see them like that. Unfortunately, another visitor scared them away as I was setting up.
I agree with Denise's assesment of crop and the yellow line. I might tone down the sheen on the bill just a smidge. It does help highlight the bill, which of course is their most distinctive characteristic, so just a bit of treatment.
Shoveler
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