It's all about the details - Wood Duck Drake

[Randy Stout]

Another one from Cleveland two years ago. This nice fellow flapped right in front of me.

D700 500mm f/4 1/2500s f/5.6 ISO 800 SB800 -2.0 Gitzo/wimberley

Post: CS5 minor crop from left, selective sharpening water clean up

Advice and thoughts always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

It's all about the details alright! Perfectly sharpened, and the colours are pretty darn amazing. I only wish for a tiny bit more room below to give some more thickness to the swooping tail in LRC (about double the current thickness). Love the feather layers in the wing.

[Richard Stern]

Hi Randy,

Excellent exposure and sharpness, and I like his expression. I suppose one could argue about more, or less, or different shaped, crops, but I'm quite happy with it as it is.

Richard

[Sandesh R.Dhareshwar]

Excellent frame, brilliant exposure and awesome colours is all i can say bout this image

[Josh Clark]

Fine image Randy. Looks to be from North Chagrin Reservation?? I too like the layering of the feathers beneath the wing, gives a nice sense of depth. Excellent details throughout.

[gail bisson]

I really like the square crop. Great layering of the feathers,and the BG is lovely. Might wish for a bit more of a head turn but that is a very minor nit,
Gail

[Don Lacy]

Excellent image Randy, love the all the feather detail and colors.

[Tony Whitehead]

Great details, Randy. The touch of fillflash has really worked well. I agree with Dan regarding a touch more below but would be tempted to crop from the right to decentre the eye more - it's a tight comp with the details being the subject and the extra negative space doesn't add to the image, despite being a lovelyBG, IMO.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the input!

Josh: Yes, from North Chagrin. Have you been there lately? Curious how the ponds are this year .

Daniel: I think I have a sliver more available below, will look into adding a bit more of the tail

Tony: Good to see you popping in. Interesting thought on the crop!

Cheers

Randy

[Tom Redd]

Randy, Details, indeed! I love them. Excellent details and color and complimentary BG. Congrats!

[Randy Bronkema]

Great detail in this. it all works for me if anything I would have like a bit more space on the bottom as well. Not so sure cropping from the right though it's a tight crop already I think that may be to tight, for me anyway. Maybe you should submit it to ducks umlimited it could work as a cove shot.
great image!!!!

Randy

[Raul Padilla]

great colors, like rainbow, great detail and pose , the white in the beak is a little distracting.

[Gary Esman]

Good shot Randy, love the detail hear. About that eye, am wondering if the outer rim should not be red? The eye itself looks great! Gary.