Flapping Woodie with Purple cheek patch for Artie

[Randy Stout]

This nice drake was captured at North Chagrin reserve in Oct.

Artie had mentioned on one of my previous wood duck posts, that you have to have the purple cheek patch showing, so I thought I would post this fellow

D700 500mm f/4 with 1.4 TC f/6.3 1/1600s ISO 800 -0.7 EV

Gitzo/Wimberley

Post: Convert with NX2, crop (15%), level, curves, selective sharpening in CS4.


Advice always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Grace Scalzo]

Randy, I was immediately drawn to the water drop on his chest, and at the base of him. Love the colors and his wing spread. Nicely done.

[Bryan Hix]

Great job capturing all the beautiful colors on the head. I'm surprised the white on the top of the bill isn't brighter on this drake. Congrats.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks Grace and Bryan:

Good observation about the white on the bill. Many of my other males do show almost a bone white look, but this guy didn't. I did not do any manipulation of the bill.

I don't know if this could be an age related issue?

Perhaps someone can chime in. John perhaps?

Randy

[Harshad Barve]

Beautiful image with lovely wing pose and HA , Super water colors here
TFS

[ChasMcRae]

Great perfect profile with good balance of dark colors and light breast.
Background adds to drama.

[Ofer Levy]

Fantastic image!!!

[Jim Crosswell]

A well composed image! I like the action you captured here.

[Doug Brown]

Really nice image Randy! You've got the low angle, great light, nice wing position, good eye contact, and pretty water color. I do think the photo would benefit from a contrast boost. What do you think of this?

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Love the original post here !! The wing position and the drops of water flying around makes it up for lovely viewing !!

[arash_hazeghi]

Very beautiful Randy, awesome wing position and sharpness. Love this one!!!! Congrats

[Kiran Poonacha]

Great pose, loved the details, good colours and sweet light here...

[Mike Lentz]

Not sure what I like more.... the title of the thread or the image itself. :D
Okay, I love the image, just fantastic as is the repost!

[denise ippolito]

Randy, Fantastic pose and details. I love the water color and splash.

[Nagesh Mula]

Randy, this is beautiful. The water color, the wing display and the purple cheek. Congrats!!

[Matthew Studebaker]

Great to see you got this Randy! Perfect pose and great control of the highlights here.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Doug - I appreciate your repost. I was so concerned about blowing the highlights, that I kept the contrast slightly soft. I think your tweak works. Thanks

Matthew - I had thought on first run through of my images from your workshop that I didn't have any really good wing flaps ( timing and positioning on my part, not lack of opportunity) , but I guess there might have been one or two in there. :)

Cheers

Randy

[James Salywoda]

Really a very nice wing flap captured I love the angle .