Surf Scoter Portrait

[Doug Brown]

I just got back from a week in Southern California; hardly saw the sun the entire time we were there. I spent one day with my wife photographing the winter ducks but the sun only cooperated for about an hour out of the day. Fortunately a handsome male Surf Scoter picked that time to get acquainted with us. A lower angle was not possible.



Canon 1D Mark IV, 600mm + 1.4x, f/5.6, 1/1600, ISO 400, manual exposure, hand held

[Chris Martinez]

WOW! Never seen a Scoter. Not your average looking duck!!

I like the eye contact and feel the composition suits this. My eyes are drawn straight to that bright white eye. Looks like you picked a balanced exposure. Must be tricky with that face.

[Bill Dix]

Beautiful portrait of this handsome species. Great HA and background, and excellent exposure. I know from painful experience that these are tough birds to expose properly.

[philperry]

Super capture Doug. Love the water drops on the head. Classic scoter shot - though much closer than I have ever managed (and have never photographed them) - they are quite rare where I come from (UK).

[Rene Quenneville]

Wow, also great background color.
The picture looks a little contrasty on my monitor.

[Aidan Briggs]

Great exposure and sharpness here. Colors are great, but its too bad that a lower angle wasn't possible.

I know what you mean about the weather. I am about ready for some sunlight!!

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for taking the time to comment everyone.