Black-bellied WD

I do like the pose too, Ron: the bird seems to be taking an interest in us; the spread wing provides a revealing display of feathers too. I'm fine with the noise level here. We can even see some detail in the far wing. My only little nit would be the lack of a catchlight in the eye. On such a lovely shot it's so tempting to add one, isn't it? [I know, that would be going too far....but it is tempting!]

Looks good to me as posted, and the ISO 800 isn't an issue for me.

Ron, Beautiful pose, details and framing. Well done.

Wonderful pose, Ron! Very nice detail !
Mauro

Outstanding image, Ron! I love the head turn and the wing posture. Totally agree that the posture and nice light make up for any lack of detail. Fine work.

Just FYI, if you look closely in the larger version there is a catchlight. It is just not very bright given that it was cloudy. The catchlight is very evident in the full-sized version. Cheers.

Ron, another nice flight shot as usual, the noise is fine for the ISO. Great wing position, and I can see the catchlight. Now this is just me and I know how hard it is to get these shots, but I am bothered just a bit by the dark band through the middle of the picture from the trees in the background, its a very small nit in an otherwise great pic. Well done!!.

Ron,

I think this is a great flight pose that show very nice details & sharpness, not an easy thing to do with ducks. I like the gradation in the background and the comp you used. (Miss your copyright?) I can see the catchlight in the larger version and while I don't add catchlights to my images I do think you could enhance the one that exists by selecting the dark part of the eye and using a levels or exposure adjustment to lighten the eye ever so slightly. Noise levels appear fine to me. I like this a lot as posted though.

Ron, I magnified the large version of the image and saw the catchlight......but I think Mia's recommendation about enhancing it a good idea!!

Great flight pose capture.

Very nice Ron, the noise is well under control.
I especially like the soft graduated BG that gives one a sense of habitat, and this awesome flight pose.
It's the dipped wing as it grabs some air, and that head turn that turn me on
Well done

What a pose...it's like he said something to you as he was flying by! Nice detail, bg and I like the curled wingtip. Sharon

Sweet composition, Ron.

Nice shot - catchlight suggestion is a good one.

Killer Flight Shot Ron

Ken Archer

Stop it! You're driving me crazy with all these excellent BIF shots!
Great colors, pose, detail , BG - and - people - there IS a small catchlight in the larger version -
Sandy r

Excellent flight pose and I really like the wing position.
Agree on the tree line, I also think a vertical crop would work here.

Great head turn and wingspread!
Jagdeep Rajput

Very nice capture Ron, love the fact that you can see all the beautiful markings on this duck and that it appears to be circling back right at us. Well done

Looks good to me...Well done Ron!

Ron albiet the lighting conditions I think it is fab, because of the pose! Nice head turn and top wing look. And the BG is very complimentary. Congrats!!

Perfect position and beautiful colours - very well done!

I absolutely love the flight posture you caught here Ron and I think your composition is very strong. Excellent exposure too. I see no significant effects of the high ISO - likely due to the small crop. Very well done.

Wow, nice pose. I love how he is looking back at your.
May

Beautiful shot- Love the colours, BG and details- Great job, fabio