My first ring-necked duck

[Nancy A Elwood]

I was thrilled to get my first of this species! The light was really good and there were lots of opportunities. Taken at the Viera Wetlands last Sunday with the D300 and Nikon 500 f/4 and 1.4TC, f/7.1, 1/2000, iso 640, from a bean bag on car door.

[Randy Stout]

Nancy:

Excellent exposure, sharp great flap.
Wish the head was a bit more our way.

The reeds in the back are OK, but would try to smooth out the OOF one right in front of the bird,

congrats on your new 'catch'

Cheers

Randy

[John Haig]

Nice action captured and congrats on your first!

Don't mind the reeds but the broken one that parallels the wing I find drags my eye away from the bird. I don't mind the head angle..I think it nicely shows the iridescence along the back of the head and the squared off crown.

Wish the "ringbills" were back in my pond...but since I just drove my tractor across it I'm guessing it's going to be awhile yet.

[Callie de Wet]

Lovely pose and action. Back reeds does not bother, the front one could maybe be removed but the duck is si nice, one just look at the nice action.

[Marina Scarr]

You did a great job exposing this image b/c the whites and the blacks look great. Love the wing position and the HA works for me. I agree on the bent reed being somewhat distracting but we have no choice but to work with with nature provides us.

[arash_hazeghi]

Very beautiful Nancy, love the details and SH, excellent pose and good exposure too. Would be tempted to clone out the bent strand. TFS