Surfing the wave

[Randy Stout]

Got out this morning, 15 degrees, rather nippy. It didn't slow down the birds however at the local bird sanctuary. Migrants are coming through, the local trumpeters are getting very fiesty, lots of fun.

This female red head was very cooperative. I threw out a few kernels of corn about every 10-15 minutes, and she would search diligently for them.

Nikon D300 600VR with 1,4 TC, equiv. focal length 1260 mm. f/7.1 1/1250s ISO 640

Post: Selective sharpening, cropped from the right and bottom a bit to position the wake to give the most pleasing line in the frame.

I debated about removing the second catchlight from the water.

Advice and thoughts always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Alan Murphy]

Beautiful detail and light. The water is wonderful.

[Randy Bronkema]

Nice shot Randy, I really like the water ripples in front of the her, I wonder what it would look like showing more of duck's body. The water seems to be a little calmer today then yesterday.. Great shot!!!!!

Randy

[Jay Gould]

The image is wonderful; they eye is kinda funny with the way the catchlights appear.

[Bob Malbon]

Randy, Nice capture, love the bow wake!! I would remove the lower catch light. Bob

[Gary Esman]

Hi Randy, looks like the water in front gets another vote from me. Sharp as always. Glad you got a chance to get out, maybe in a week or two it will warm up.

Gary.

[Tom Rambaut]

Nice light and I just love the bow wave action - I would try and remove that second catch light.

I'm curious about the beak - is that black tip just due to it being wet?

[Randy Stout]

Nice shot Randy, I really like the water ripples in front of the her, I wonder what it would look like showing more of duck's body. The water seems to be a little calmer today then yesterday.. Great shot!!!!!

Randy

Randy:

Good to see you checking in. Look forward to you posting images soon.
I have about three quarters of the body, but really wanted tonplay ip the bow wake here.

Cheers.

Randy

[Randy Stout]

Nice light and I just love the bow wave action - I would try and remove that second catch light.

I'm curious about the beak - is that black tip just due to it being wet?

Tom: No, the beak tip really is black! The water here may make the very tip a little bit larger looking than usual.

cheers

Randy

[RakeshDhareshwar]

This is such a perfectly executed shot in tems of the exposure and sharpness. I would clone off the lower catchlight though.

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Randy, love the wave and play of light and reflection of the body through the water. Nice detail and water droplets on the duck. Personally I would like to see more of the iris so would consider removing the lower catchlight.

[DanWalters]

Like the detail in the head and the drops of water. Like the water right around the breast as well.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the sharpness, detail and bow wave. Beautiful image Randy!

[Dumay de Boulle]

Superb light with great IQ and textures...Really like the water and water droplets...Great stuff Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, good detail throughout, sharp, and the bow wave puts this over the top. If this were mine, I would have removed the lower catchlights.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the input.

I will do another version with the lower catchlight removed.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers

Randy