Female Hooded Merganser

Gallery: AvianPosted March 21, 2010229 views25 comments

D300, 500mm f/4 + 1.7x tc, tripod
ISO 640, 1/640 sec, f/6.7
Shot taken Feb. 19, 2010 at the Viera Wetlands, FL. The water droplets on the bird are from the rain shower that just ended. Cropped to 62% of full frame.
Comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on March 21, 2010 at 8:11 PM

David this is really nice! Very complimentary colors with an alert pose. Well done!!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 21, 2010 at 8:45 PM

This is wonderful Dave. IQ looks great to my eye and the reflection of that crest blows me away. I also really like that we can see through the nostril four times. A fine shot.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 21, 2010 at 9:34 PM

I just want to agree with the others, well done and excellent image quality. The D200 (thought you used a D300?) produced an excellent image at iso640!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on March 21, 2010 at 9:42 PM

Gary:
Yes, typo. D300 is correct. Thanks for catching it.
Dave

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on March 21, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Wonderful detail, rich colors, neat reflection. Love your capture of the hood. Excellent shot, David.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 21, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Your shot shows off the beauty of the female really well here David, no nits from me.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 21, 2010 at 10:47 PM

A beautiful capture David, I love the detail throughout. I would be tempted to clone out the white dot in the center of the reflection.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 21, 2010 at 11:33 PM

Lovely as posted, David. Interesting reflection, nice detail and color, fine pose.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 21, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Excellent shot..great detail, pose, eye, BG and even a nice reflection.
The water drops are an added bonus.
Very well-done!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 21, 2010 at 11:50 PM

Davie, the detail and sharpness in this shot are simply outstanding! I also lke the reflection and the colors are spot on.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 22, 2010 at 12:54 AM

Wow! A redhead with a spikey punk hairdo. I like the low angle and the reflection. The water drops catching the light are nice also. Nice job Dave.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 22, 2010 at 6:39 AM

Just beautiful Dave - the image quality is superb (something I'm seeing more often than not with people using Nikons) and lovely detail

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 22, 2010 at 8:24 AM

Superb shot David. I love the light here and the water. The bird is tack sharp and the water drops add a ton to the appeal of this image. Crest up and a great reflection top this one off. Very well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 22, 2010 at 9:48 AM

Dave,

I don't think this could be any better, it is gorgeous. The lighting, pose, colors & details are all very appealing.

Very well done.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 22, 2010 at 9:49 AM

I love these female hoodies, David. very cute, with lots of personality. You got great details in the bird, and especially in that raised crest. great looking shot.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 22, 2010 at 12:38 PM

Wonderful detail on this, it is always great when I look a larger image and see very good feather detail, I know then it is a job well done, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 22, 2010 at 12:59 PM

David,
I'd love this for my own file! Outstanding!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 22, 2010 at 4:34 PM

Especially like the reddish accent of the hairdo amongs the overall grey tones. Very sharp too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 22, 2010 at 5:14 PM

Excellent David. Love the hairdo, the soft colors and the reflection.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 22, 2010 at 5:54 PM

Love the quiet mood provided by calm water and reflection. Great techs as always, David.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on March 22, 2010 at 6:03 PM

Nicely done, Dave. You caught the subtle colors of the female very well, not to mention the detail. I think it could use a bit of CCW rotation but that's a minor nit. Since you say it's a 62% crop, might there be any more room in front? Nice work!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 22, 2010 at 6:27 PM

Terrific image as posted. The soft light is wonderful here.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on March 22, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Love teh colors and reflection in the water. The area around the eyes seems a little dark but other than that it is a great photo.

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 23, 2010 at 1:26 AM

Great shot David. The subject stands out beautifully against the smooth, muted BG. The water droplets are a nice bonus, well done!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 23, 2010 at 8:42 PM

Love the water droplets, detail and the reflection. Nice capture

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments