The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
The ID of this bird played tricks with some of the local birding gurus here as far as which kind of merganser this is. Prevailing opinion is it is a male hooded merganser transitioning to adult plumage. A red-breasted merganser had been seen a few days before at the state park pond which may have helped to initially question the ID.
Specific Feedback
Any comments appreciated.
Technical Details
Canon R7, 200-800mm @800. monopod
ISO 1600, f11, 1/4000s
Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
It would certainly confuse me, Allen. I don’t think I’d recognize the red -breasted. Regardless of the species, it’s an excellent image, though the greenish slime under the bill is a little weird.
I love the quirky wet head. I think the green slime is a great touch (so duck-ish) and the clean water with just the right amount of texture is a perfect setting. My only useful thought is to possibly raise the shadows on the back end a bit. I love the water droplets on the back!
Allen, I like how much the eye stands out. The green slime shows that it’s been feeding, which is cool. The drops on it’s back show very well in the large view.
Great image, Allen. I like the low angle and the nice light on the bird. The bright eye also stands out nicely. You’re probably right on the ID, although the body plumage sure looks like a female Merganser to me…
