Another Wood Duck Glides By

[Melissa Groo]

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
500mm
Gitzo/Wimberley

A/V mode
ISO 400
f/4.0
1/1250

This is from my weekend at the Studebaker wood duck workshop in Chagrin, Ohio last month. It was the best reflection I got, and I liked the ripples in front and the wake behind. Cropped a bit all around, toned down the whites in the feathers and on bill, as well as the brightness a bit, lightened purple cheek patch a little, eliminated a double catchlight, toned down the whitish ripples right in front and back of the bird, did slight vignetting, and sharpened. Hope it's sharp enough...
Thanks so much for looking and for all comments and critiques!

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image Melissa! I like the pose, HA and reflection really adds to the image.

[Brendan Dozier]

Awesome, Melissa! Love how you composed this, great looking Wood Duck and reflection. Love the detail, rich colors, texture to water and soft reflective light glow looks so good! Looks like a painting. Well done!

[Matthew Studebaker]

Very nice Melissa. I too love the ripples and reflection. Good job getting some purple in the head and blue in the primaries and back. great head turn. great detail in the entire dynamic range of the image. The bit of orange color in the water really helps this too. Excellent!

[Dave Leroy]

Super shot. I really like the pose, bg colors and reflections and the ripples in front really top it off.

[Gary Esman]

Beautiful job Melissa! Exposure looks good, like the HA and the water is gorgeous. Great reflection too. This looks nice and sharp to me. Awesome shot!

Gary.

[Herb Houghton]

Beautiful colors throughout the duck and BGD Melissa. The range of colors looks good without overblown tones. The reflection looks great too.

[Dan Busby]

Yes, just "another" average beautiful wood duck image Melissa. I love those close ripples and nice reflection. Overall seems a tad on the dark side on my monmitor.

[Arthur Morris]

Well done on all counts. The ripple in front of the bird is both interesting and unique; it makes the image for me!

[Josh Clark]

I'll tell ya, North Chagrin and those Wood Ducks are getting some big props in here! It's nice to see a place so heavily photographed that is so close to home. Really great image presented here Melissa. Just the right amount of sharpness and that reflection is great. I love the ripple in the wake bow, think that really adds to it. The lighting here is great as well. Its not easy to get a perfect reflection up there with all the activity around. Great job here.

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks for all the kind comments, guys.

[Doug Brown]

The ripple up front is fantastic. Love the color and the great reflection too. I do feel that you've opened up the blacks a little too much though. I'd like to see them a bit darker.

[PRABIR BHATTACHARYYA]

Beautiful bird photo along with the reflection. Looks a bit dark. May be you can hike up the exposure a wee bit.
There is a softness at and near the eye, but that's very little.
Overall, wonderful to view.

[Ofer Levy]

Beautiful image! Here is a repost with a slight levels adjustment - does it look good to you?

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Melissa, lots of colours to look at here. You have also captured a good HA, and the repeated ripples do add interest. Of course, the reflection rocks. Well captured.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent shot, I also like the ripples. Ofer's repost is my preference

[Melissa Groo]

Ofer, great job. I agree it looks better, and will make that adjustment. Thanks as usual for your skillful editing and vision!

[Bill Dix]

Sweet shot, Melissa. Colors, head turn, reflection, awesome ripples, all outstanding. Ofer's repost improves an already super shot. Must put Chagrin on my agenda.

[Melissa Groo]

Sweet shot, Melissa. Colors, head turn, reflection, awesome ripples, all outstanding. Ofer's repost improves an already super shot. Must put Chagrin on my agenda.

Thanks Bill! ANd yes, you should DEFINITELY get to Chagrin. As far as I know, it's really the best place to photograph wood ducks --among fall colors-- in the U.S.