Harlequin Duck Drake

I love it Jim - classic harlie pose perched on a rock. The Harlequins I had (I believe they left) down here didn't have the full blown plumage which (almost) rivals that of a Wood Duck.

I agree with your assessment of this image Jim. The only thing needed to make this really nice would have been a bit more of a head turn to get a little more light on the bird's face. The overall direction the bird is facing is nice for seeing the majority of the bird. Still a great shot of an awesome bird in very nice habitat.

Nice job on the exposure, Jim. I agree a bit of a turn would have helped, especially since it looks like you had some fairly harsh light.

Great job on such a difficult contrast, these really are cool ducks to look at. I like the habitat that surrounds the duck, well done.

Good job here Jim, great job on the blacks and the whites.

Jim:
How I would love to see a Harlequin! Yes, looks like a very difficult-to-expose bird. The whites could use a little more detail but you would lose information in the dark areas, so I would be reasonably satisfied too. I love the rocky surround.

Nice shot shot of an impressive looking duck. My only wish would be for it to be facing into the light instead of away from it.

great looking shot, Jim. I think your exposure looks great on a tough subject in tough light. great setting too.

What a beautiful bird, Jim. Very nice setting and exposure control. Well done!

I have been waiting YEARS to get a shot of a Harlequin. A good shot in very difficult light. I wonder if the eye could be sharpened a bit and if a crop on the right would improve it. I can see why these are hard to expose right with their bright and dark areas.

Very difficult shot. Looks great Jim! Awesome composition and subject matter.

Very nicely done. I have not found these easy birds to capture and I think you ave done an excellent job.
May

Jim,

For what is is worth; I believe if the Harlequin had turned its head more into the light you would have had exposure problems because more of the whites would have had bright light on them, so I prefer this striking profile shot myself. I love the setting and how crisply the bill stands out from the dark rock in the water behind it and how you achieved light in the duck's eye, I imagine that is a challenge because it is a dark eye in dark plumage.

I might have brought my ISO up to 200 on this shot for a little more shutter speed.

I am hoping to see & photograph this species soon.