Would have liked a smidge more light on his head (as I had in some other captures), but the pose and water drip made this one the best to post. Shot through a fence that keeps the public away from this pond.
50D + 500L f4.5 + 1.4x non-reporting, on Wimberley II + tripod. ISO 500, f7.1, 1/800. pp in Lightroom 3, medium crop.
Beautiful image, Allen. Nicely done through the fence I might add! Very nice soft color palette and the drop at the end of the beak is very nice. If you want more light add it in PS! Try pulling up the midtones a bit in levels or curves and then possibly add a bit more blue (just a little!) to the water.
You might also consider cloning out the specular water highlights on his face. I'd leave the drops as they are complete enough to make sense but the small white spots near his eye could go and leave you with a stronger portrait.
Beautiful bird, nice exposure. I would shave some off the bottom and generally crop a little looser. I think the IQ, though good now, could be a lot better if the crop were looser.
Northern pintail drake
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