# Mallard Drake **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [December 13, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mallard-drake/38515 "2023-12-13T22:53:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mallard-drake/38515/1 "2023-12-13T22:53:25Z")
![-20231212-_A1_2800-McLane Creek-Enhanced-NR-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/0/300db3c3b29a716eb56249e6bfd3e7fb2ada39c8.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description I went to our local pond yesterday and the recent rains had raised the level enough to cover a lot of the pond lily stems and clean up the backgrounds considerably. However, the light was very dim and the only species that ventured within range was Mallards. I only saw one Wood Duck at the far end and a few female Buffleheads well out of range. So I worked on seeing how low a shutter speed I could get away with and did some reflection and ICM shots of the surrounding forest (840mm ICM’s are interesting). ### Specific Feedback Anything you care to comment on. The greenish red water is accurate-the forest here in the winter is dominated by mosses, lichens and the red of alder catkins. ### Technical Details Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, monopod, f/9, 1/40 sec, iso 1000, manual exposure. Processed in LR & PS CC. Still quite a bit of feather debris on the water that I cleaned up. Cropped to 6548x4617. Taken December 12th at 8:43 AM under heavily overcast skies. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mallard-drake/38515/2 "2023-12-15T01:08:50Z")
Very nice look at the mallard. Even some detail in the tail feathers, which I usually blow out. The water colors work well to complement the duck. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mallard-drake/38515/3 "2023-12-15T04:18:48Z")
Fabulous!! Mallards are not easy – the head so often comes out black and the whites blown. The calm water and reflection are wonderful! No suggestions!! And yes, I love telephoto ICM. Hoping to see some! ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mallard-drake/38515/4 "2023-12-16T15:32:42Z")
Nice catch of the bird, Dennis. The smooth reflection really makes this image shine. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 12:45pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mallard-drake/38515/5 "2023-12-17T12:45:26Z")
Looks crisp and the lighting provided fairly rich colors on the head of this drake mallard. Sharpness and comp are excellent and I have no nits for you. …Jim