Lesser scaup preening

[Grace Scalzo]

I stayed at Connetquot River State Park yesterday while Lloyd and Joe went for the red heads. (See Joe's redhead below ). Had some nice time with this scaup.

Thank you in advance for your critiques and comments. (This is about a 50% crop and some random patch tool work on highlights)

Canon Mark IV, 500 f4 + 1.4tc, as low as I could get with lens resting on small pier that sticks out into the pond.

1/2500,f8, ISO 800

[James Salywoda]

Fantastic preening pose captured Grace your exposure is spot on and the details are perfect. I like the low angle as well... good to see you posting.

[Doug Brown]

Super exposure control Grace. Just the right amount of DOF, with good focus on the eye (not always easy with this type of pose). Nicely done!

[Greg Basco]

Grace, I'll just second James' and Doug's comments. Great rendition of the water too -- really adds nicely to the image.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Pieter de Waal]

Lovely preening pose with visible eye. Love the detail and colour captured here, the colour on the head is outstanding.

[denise ippolito]

Grace, Beautiful pose and open mouth! I like the sharpness and exposure-lovely!

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Excellent exposure, the details in black and white are really good. The sharpness and the action are great too. Love this very much, TFS.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the pose, sharpness, exposure and DOF. A real beauty Grace!

[Joe Senzatimore]

A beautiful image made "KILLER" by the low angle.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Grace, you know I love these. terrific pose with the open bill and nice view of the head...with colors. Good subject placement and details. low angle ofcourse is very nice. I think the blacks can go a bit darker and will give more pop.

[Ofer Levy]

Lovely behaviour shot!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent preening image! I love that we can see the roof of the mouth...this guy is really reaching for a mouthful of fearthers it seems. Very intimate feel.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my image and for your kind words. I totally enjoyed the time I spent with this beautiful creature.

[Gen Benjamin]

Wow Grace beautifully done, tack on exposure and sharpness and as Joe said made killer by the wonderful low angle. Great job
Gen